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Cape Town - We've been driving two important South African-bound models this week: the updated Volkswagen Golf 7 and the new Amarok V6 TDI model.
Wheels24's Janine van der Post drove the new GTI, GTD and 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre TSI models in Mallorca, Spain.
Performance diesel to join the ranks
According to VWSA: "The local launch is planned for the second quarter of 2017. We will most likely keep a similar model line up."
VW has confirmed the updated 2017 Golf GTI and GTD is expected to arrive in May, with 1.4 TSI and 1.0 TSI following in July.
The GTD is a new addition to the local range, and is a 'performance diesel', its 2.0-litre diesel engine develops 137kW/350Nm. 0-100km/h takes 7.5 secs and top speed is a claimed 230km/h.
Click here to find out what more details of the refreshed Golf 7.
Amarok V6 TDI
Van der Post also had a first drive in the Amarok 3.0-litre V6 TDI derivative, it will arrive locally in June.
Estimated pricing for the high-end Extreme model should, says VW, be a less than "R800 000", while the Highline model should retail for "little more than R700 000". Full pricing and specifications have yet to be confirmed.
The new V6 produces 165kW from 4000-5000rpm with peak torque at 550Nm from 1500rpm. It makes 130Nm more than the Ultimate version and is mated to an eight-speed auto box. VW's claimed fuel consumption figure is 7.6litres/100km with CO2 emissions quoted at 199g/km.
According to VW, this same engine is also used in the Porsche Macan and Audi Q7 and Q5, albeit with higher power. The biggest difference in comparison to the unit used in the Amarok is that it's tuned differently for "high durability", and is able to withstand more than "300 000km of driving" says the automaker.
