The highlight for Volkswagen Motorsport undoubtedly came in the B2 Class, where their drivers Daniel Rowe and Jonathan Mogotsi delivered a dominant performance, securing a commanding 1-2 finish. Their vibrant Volkswagen Motorsport SupaPolos were a constant presence on the challenging 1.9km hill climb, leaving the crowd in awe with their agility and power.

While Volkswagen Motorsport’s success was a significant takeaway, the Simola Hillclimb offered a much wider spectacle. The “King of the Hill” shootout, spread across Saturday and Sunday, saw a diverse range of vehicles put to the test. From classic cars showcasing the evolution of motorsport to highly modified modern machines, the competition was fierce across all classes.

One of the most captivating aspects of the event was the sheer variety of machinery on display. From the thunderous roar of V8-powered monsters to the nimble precision of formula cars, the hill climb catered to every motorsports enthusiast’s taste. The event also proved to be a haven for classic car enthusiasts, with meticulously restored vehicles showcasing the rich history of motorsport.

Beyond the on-track action, the Simola Hillclimb offered a vibrant atmosphere. The dedicated spectator areas provided excellent vantage points to witness the breathtaking climbs, while food stalls, merchandise pop-up shops and entertainment options kept the crowds engaged throughout the weekend.

For Volkswagen, their Motorsport team now returns to regular duty with its factory team, Astron Energy Polo Cup and the Volkswagen Rookie Cup all poised for action at the third round National Championship Extreme Festival at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria on Saturday 18 May.

The introduction of the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet is a significant step in realising Volkswagen Group South Africa’s electric vehicle strategy for the Volkswagen brand in the country. Beyond contributing to DHL’s sustainability goals, this partnership also serves as a catalyst for Volkswagen to raise awareness about its electric vehicles in South Africa and gather crucial insights that will shape the brand’s electric vehicle strategy.

Thomas Milz, Director of Sales and Marketing at VWSA, expressed the significance of the collaboration: “Our partnership with DHL Express on the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet marks the beginning of Volkswagen’s long-term plan to gradually introduce its electric vehicles in the local market. At the end of the pilot test, we hope to have gathered sufficient information and insights on the readiness of the local market for the introduction of a commercial electric vehicle such as the ID.Buzz Cargo. We are very excited to partner with DHL, who shares a similar commitment of zero emissions by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.”

DHL Express South Africa’s Managing Director, Jed Michaletos, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability: “As the world’s leading logistics company, we have a responsibility to set an example in our industry and be a sustainability leader. DHL Express has committed to achieving zero emission by 2050 through a number of initiatives, one of which is ensuring that we have at least 60% electric vehicles for last-mile deliveries by 2030. We are excited to partner with VWSA to pilot their ID.Buzz in our South African operations.”

The collaboration between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and DHL Express not only signals a major leap in the adoption of electric vehicles for commercial purposes in South Africa but also underscores the shared commitment of both companies to sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices.

According to Volkswagen, the Polo Vivo GT’s redesign is aimed at enhancing the car’s athletic performance and dynamic character. The changes include a new black honeycomb grille, LED daytime running lights, and a revised front bumper that gives the car a more aggressive stance.

The Polo Vivo GT also receives a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels, finished in glossy black, and a black roof that adds to the car’s sporty profile. At the back, the car gets a new bumper with a diffuser insert and a sporty exhaust tip.

Inside the cabin, the Polo Vivo GT has been updated with a new multifunction steering wheel wrapped in leather, GT-branded sport seats with red stitching, and a black headliner. The car’s infotainment system has also been upgraded with a new 6.5-inch touchscreen display that features App-Connect, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity.

Under the hood, the Polo Vivo GT retains its 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers 81 kW and 200 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and Volkswagen claims a fuel consumption figure of 5.6 liters per 100 km.

The Polo Vivo GT has always been a popular choice for South African drivers who are looking for a small, fun-to-drive car that offers good value for money. With the new updates, Volkswagen is hoping to attract even more customers to the Polo Vivo GT.

“The Polo Vivo GT is a key model in our range, and we are excited to introduce the refreshed version to the South African market,” said Mike Glendinning, Director of Volkswagen South Africa. “The new design and features enhance the car’s already impressive performance and value proposition.”

The new Polo Vivo GT is available in four colors: Reef Blue Metallic, Pure White, Reflex Silver Metallic, and Limestone Grey Metallic. Prices start at R307,400 (excluding delivery and related fees).

What is it?

The Volkswagen T-Roc is an interesting little beast, isn’t it? It’s a compact crossover SUV that aims to blend style and performance in a package that’s both affordable and functional. And we have to say, it’s not a bad effort from the German automaker.

First off, let’s talk about the looks. The T-Roc’s design is definitely on the sporty side, with a bold front grille and sharp lines that give it a commanding presence on the road. Not as commanding as the Tiguan or our personal fave the Touareg, but its quite something to behold. It’s not going to win any awards for being the most original design out there, but it’s certainly a head-turner. Inside, the T-Roc is just as well-designed, with a spacious and comfortable cabin that’s packed with features and technology.

But wait… What are the changes compared to yesteryear’s model, you might ask. Volkswagen has updated the model by refining it and adding a new dual paint scheme. There’s that LED strip in the front (think new Golf) and there’s also some new wheel designs while the interior has been updated with the latest tech as standard.

But let’s be honest, looks aren’t everything. How does the T-Roc drive? Well, it’s not going to set your hair on fire, but it’s certainly not a slouch either. The vehicle is powered by a range of engines, including this 1.4-liter TSI engine with 110kW and 250 Nm of torque. All of them offer decent power and torque, and paired with the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, they provide a smooth and comfortable ride. The suspension system is also well-tuned to provide a balance of handling and comfort. Is it something worth raving about? Certainly not, we’re now more curious than ever to get behind the wheel of the 2.0-litre R-Line model for comparison sake.

So, is the Volkswagen T-Roc worth your hard-earned cash? Well, if you’re in the market for a compact crossover SUV that offers a good balance of style, performance, and functionality, then the T-Roc is definitely worth considering. It’s not the most exciting vehicle on the market, but it’s a solid and reliable choice that won’t break the bank. Ehm.

Our test Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4 TSI Style is priced at R563 800.

For German car manufacturer Volkswagen things are no different as we’re in for a treat of 5 new models and 2 upgrades/facelifts. Without any further ado, here’s the complete list the new cars making their to Mzansi this year.

Golf 8 R

Polo Vivo GT Upgrade

New Amarok

Tiguan TDI

T-Cross Trendline

Polo Sedan TSI

Touareg Facelift

This amounts to roughly 74% of Volkswagen vehicles sold in South Africa.

To put things into perspective, Volkswagen sold 63 601 (Volkswagen Passenger Cars: 58 447, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: 5 154) vehicles in Mzansi, in 2022 alone.

Elsewhere, the Volkswagen Taigo recorded 1 885 sales in 2022. Mind you, it was only launched in June. The refreshed Volkswagen T-Roc sold 2 407 units last year, while the Volkswagen Tiguan range (including Tiguan Allspace and Tiguan R) sold 2 613 units during the same time.

Despite severe stock and parts shortages last year, the Volkswagen Golf range also improved sales by 109% in 2022 with 639 units sold.

According to the OEM, the donation will be utilised to support distressed individuals and communities through humanitarian relief aid such as water, food, and care packs. It will also go towards funding the repair of damaged infrastructure, schools, early childhood development centres and clinics in affected areas.

“VWSA sends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes those who were injured during the floods a speedy recovery.” said Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs at VWSA.

Nothing has been left to our imagination as the latest teaser images give us a clear picture of what we can expect in the third quarter when Volkswagen officially reveals the bakkie in full form.

For those living under a rock, the new Amarok is being developed and built in conjunction with Ford. They will also share the same production plant in Silverton, east of Pretoria.

Volkswagen also says that the Amarok will have “clear Volkswagen DNA” despite the Ford connection, and it’s probably the reason for the new Ranger getting a 3.0-litre V6 option.

Under the hood, the 2022 VW Polo GTI is sure to impress sporty drivers. It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 147kW of power. Sadly, you can’t have a manual since it only comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, helping it propel from zero to 100 km/h in 6.5-seconds, quite impressive for what is a small, practical, and fuel-efficient small hatchback.

Elsewhere, there’s the Polo and Polo Life with a 1.0-litre TSI engine good for 70kW. There’s also a DSG variant of the Polo Life which produces 85kW. Meanwhile, the Polo R-Line which brings a plethora of tech to the fold; the bumpers are distinguished from all other Polo versions by their striking R design. Standard features include the digital dashboard display, Park Distance Control (front and rear), electric folding mirrors, lumbar support for the driver and front passenger as well as a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles.

The new Polo 70kW and GTI derivatives will retail from Volkswagen dealers in January 2022. The Polo 85kW derivatives will be available from March 2022.

Model line-up and pricing

Polo 1.0 TSI 70kW Manual                              R311 800
Polo Life 1.0 TSI 70kW Manual                       R350 000
Polo GTI 2.0 TSI 147kW DSG®                      R489 400

For specifics, the new Golf GTI has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, that’s good for 180kW with a torque peak of 370Nm. VW has combined it with a McPherson front axle and multi-link rear suspension system, along with its new Vehicle Dynamics Manager to control the suspension, the optional dampers, and other drivetrain configurations. Pricing for the Golf GTI 2.0 TSI 180kW DSG is set at R669 300.

For Mzansi, there are some bad news

Back when the new car was revealed, Volkswagen punted the model as a the most digitally connected car yet. And that’s true, to some markets. The Golf 8 debuts plenty of new technology for Volkswagen, with its Car2X system being the biggest impact.

Car2X is VW’s branding for a combination of vehicle-to-vehicle (aka V2V, car-to-car, or C2C) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X). In effect, it allows a connected car to communicate with either another vehicle nearby, or a piece of infrastructure, and share time-sensitive information.

While the theory is straightforward, there are several different ways by which Car2X-style technologies can be implemented. Some automakers are waiting for 5G to be popularized before they start deployment, since the next-generation connectivity has features like low-latency and low-power modes which could be beneficial for C2C. VW, though, is opting for another standard, known as WLANp. Volkswagen confirmed today that the Car2X service will not be making its way to South Africa as the Golf 8 line-up launches.

Internal combustion engines are on the decline, VW says, though will still be around until 2030 depending on market. However declining demand, tighter emissions regulations, and tax disadvantages are expected to lure drivers into EVs. We can only hope the latter becomes a reality locally.

Nonetheless, VW plans to trim its combustion range by 60-percent in Europe by 2030. To do so it’ll rely on the MQB platform – which underpins models like the Audi A3 and Q3, and many more – to build differently-branded vehicles in a more cost-effective manner.

All the same, it’s clear that VW sees electrification as the main event. 50% of its total investments through 2025 will be on electrification and digitalization, totalling 73 billion euro (R12.4 trillion). Beyond that, the number is set to increase. By 2025, VW expects EVs to comprise around 20% of its global sales; by 2030/31, that should be around 50%.

As you read this, it’s costing VW more to build its EVs than its traditional combustion vehicles. Over the next 2-3 years, though, the combination of lower research and development costs thanks to platform sharing, battery cost savings, economies of scale, and shared factory advantages, that margin gap should close.

To achieve that, VW is shifting to a new platform. The VW “Scalable Systems Platform” (SSP) mechatronics platform – succeeding MQB, MLB, MEB, and PPE – will eventually be a single architecture for the entire electric vehicle portfolio, across the group. Described by Herbert Diess, chairman of the Volkswagen AG board, as “our super-platform,” it will underpin everything from 85 kW city runabouts through 850 kW high-end performance models.

The SSP will be 100% electric, and “ready for autonomous driving,” Diess says. It’ll also be open to other automakers, should they be looking for a shortcut to EVs, much as the MEB platform is today.

It’s software, though, where VW sees the most potential. While vehicles will still account for 85-percent of its business, software-enabled sales could contribute a further 1.2 trillion euro (R2.48 trillion) by 2030. If that aggressive goal is to work out, it’ll need to figure out a way for its CARIAD team to not only develop appealing software, but persuade people to pay for it. That includes, VW says, recurring revenue such as subscriptions.

Currently, there’s the E3 1.1 software stack for the VW ID. family of EVs. By 2023, E3 1.2 is expected to launch for the PPE platform used by Audi and Porsche; it’ll support OTA updates among other things. From 2025, though, the E3 2.0 version will be ready for a group-wide rollout, VW insists, complete with Level 4 autonomous driving support.

Among the offerings will be mobility and transport as a service, including a fleet of autonomous vehicles that can be booked through VW’s app. The automaker is testing fleet operations in Hamburg, Germany, under its MOIA brand; eventually, it plans to use the ID. Buzz AD autonomous electric minivan – the self-driving version of the upcoming ID. Buzz – in that fleet, but with “more specific designs for driverless operations and more convenience” in the pipeline, Diess promises.

The first autonomous mobility service will launch in Europe in 2025. The long-term goal is to bundle together not only brands but mobility options under a single umbrella: one fleet could cover everything from renting and car subscriptions, through sharing and ride-hailing, with the potential for manually and autonomously driven options. Earlier this week, Audi showed off the latest handiwork of its Artemis division, a Level 4 concept car which the company insists is headed to a production version in 3.5 years time.

According to Volkswagen, by the time the 400 000th Polo rolled off the production line on Monday morning, the plant had produced a total of 61 635 Polos and 10 373 Polo Vivos this year.

This achievement comes less than four years after the plant began manufacturing the current Polo model in September 2017. Of the 400 000 Polos manufactured locally since 2017, 73 786 vehicles were made for the local market and 326 214 were built for export. A replacement of the current model Polo is said to be introduced soon.