How the Golf Mk8.5 GTI Got Approved for South Africa

Held back from the South African market over Wolfsburg’s concerns around the quality of fuel available in this market, this is how Volkswagen Group Africa managed to green-light the arrival of the Golf Mk8.5 GTI

Rolling shot of VW Golf Mk8.5 GTI

Image: Volkswagen

In its 50th year of production, Volkswagen’s iconic GTI badge has enjoyed remarkable success in the South African market. Indeed, not so long ago, up to 70% of sales of a previously comprehensive local Golf range (including TSI and TDI variants) featured the GTI badge on the order form.

With this in mind, the news that plans to introduce the updated eight-generation (Mk8) Golf GTI had been stifled by Wolfsburg’s concerns over the quality of fuel available in the South African market left many enthusiasts frustrated. While the Volkswagen Group’s unease focused on whether the high sulphur content present in fuel sold in several parts of the country would ultimately damage the sophisticated particulate filter system fitted to the GTI’s updated EA888 engine, the discovery of alarmingly high levels of contaminants, including iron, in some imported fuels seemed to justify the decision.

Seeking a solution, Head of Vehicle Engineering at Volkswagen Group Africa, Rashid Jappie, led a team of Michael McCleland, Karl Beyleveld and Craig Kennedy to run two imported examples of the Mk8.5 Golf GTI within a worst-case SA scenario. Including establishing which part of the country currently has the highest sulphur content present in its fuel – the Western Cape – this also meant driving in a manner that hampers the efficient workings of this engine and its exhaust system. Ironically, it is a slow and steady approach, rather than a flat-out driving style.

VW Golf Mk8.5 GTI

Image: Volkswagen

Having covered 60,000 km in each of these test units, the team was able to report back to Wolfsburg that the 195 kW powertrain fitted to the new GTI can, indeed, perform optimally, while, crucially, still meeting its EU-mandated emissions standards. That said, owners will be strongly encouraged to use 95-unleaded fuel in their cars.

The team is rightly proud of their work, specifically their continued contribution towards tightening regulations around contaminated fuel arriving at our ports (with the presence of diesel in petrol pumps remaining a priority), but also notable headway made towards ensuring that the South African market doesn’t find itself precluded from conversations from several leading manufacturers around access to latest-generation powertrain solutions.

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