Volkswagen Indaba highlights new models coming to SA!

We joined Volkswagen South Africa at its local production facility recently as it outlines its future product launch plans and the potential for a new locally-produced product!

By Sean Nurse

Published: 6 February 2024, 18:20

Estimated Reading Time: 1 minute

1/10

Photos

Photo Grid

Volkswagen South Africa (VW SA) recently invited the national motoring media to its Kariega-based production facility in the Eastern Cape for announcements of its plans. Here's what we learned at the event.

Related: Volkswagen Amarok Aventura (2023) - Video Review

Polo going strong

The products produced locally by VW, namely the Polo and Polo Vivo may have lost some market share over the past year, but the Vivo, with 23 904 unit sales in 2023, was again SA's best-selling passenger car. Despite a drastic reduction in local Polo sales, production of the model and subsequent exports have remained strong, with Volkswagen deciding to make South Africa the sole production hub for this model going forward.

Third model to be added

Volkswagen alluded to the fact that it will begin producing a third model at its Eastern Cape facility in either 2026 or 2027. The brand was quite tight-lipped about the specifics, but we did discover that this model will be a crossover that sits below the T-Cross, will feature an internal combustion engine, and is pitched as a practical, affordable product for Africa. Think of products such as the Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and Suzuki Fronx as a reference for what VW has in mind.

New models for 2024

At the Indaba, Volkswagen unveiled a host of new models, and while being taken on a tour of the facility, we also spotted an updated model due in the coming year which was not on the agenda. Let's have a look at what the brand revealed:

ID.4

The ID.4 has finally arrived locally, with Volkswagen keen to get a pilot project on the go with local motoring journalists. Expect more information surrounding this all-electric SUV in the coming months!

Updated T-Cross

There's a revised version of the T-Cross headed to local shores, and from initial inspection, there's a heavily revised front and rear end design, while inside, the brand has claimed to have addressed the hard plastic surfaces with a soft-touch dashboard, a free-standing infotainment system, new seats, and a revised digitised cockpit among other improvements.

New Tiguan

VW also had a new Tiguan on display at the event, and despite the show car being left-hand drive and a specification unlikely to reach local shores, we could at least have a brief glimpse of a new model. It rides on a heavily revised version of the MLB Evo platform, is now longer and features a boot some 37-litres bigger than the outgoing model. VW SA has earmarked the middle of the year for the release of the new model and has said that an Allspace version will not be available.

Updated Touareg

There is also a heavily updated version of the Touareg set to be launched in the middle of 2024, showcasing the very latest technology from the brand's local flagship product.