The Durban Metro Police Service in South Africa has recently added 50 Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchbacks to its fleet of marked police cars. These high-performance vehicles are aimed at enhancing the response capabilities of the police force in dealing with crime in one of South Africa’s largest cities. The addition of the Golf GTIs is expected to help the police serve the community more efficiently and keep the streets safe.
The Golf GTI, known as the ‘Golf 8’ in South Africa, is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 180kW and 370Nm of torque. Paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, these vehicles offer impressive performance. Although official acceleration claims have not been made by Volkswagen South Africa, the power and torque outputs are similar to the Australian version of the Golf GTI, which boasts a 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds.
Interestingly, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI) unit, also known as ‘The Hawks,’ based in Pretoria, received 22 Golf GTIs earlier, in addition to 40 locally-made Volkswagen Polos. The DPCI focuses on national-level and organised crime, playing a crucial role in law enforcement. The addition of these high-powered vehicles to the police force is seen as a significant step in combating crime and ensuring public safety.
Looking ahead, Volkswagen South Africa is preparing to introduce the updated Golf 8.5 model, featuring a more powerful 195kW version of the 2.0-litre engine for the GTI variant. This updated model is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2025 as part of Volkswagen’s new model lineup. Additionally, Volkswagen has hinted that the current Golf model may remain on sale until 2035, aligning with the EU’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
Volkswagen has a long-standing presence in South Africa, with a history of manufacturing cars dating back to 1951. The company’s manufacturing plant in Kariega, located 750km east of Cape Town, currently produces the popular Polo model. As of August 2024, Volkswagen ranked as the second-most popular automotive brand in South Africa, with the Polo Vivo being one of its best-selling models, following the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
Overall, the addition of the Volkswagen Golf GTI to the Durban Metro Police Service fleet represents a strategic move to strengthen law enforcement capabilities and improve public safety in South Africa’s urban areas. The high-performance and efficiency of these vehicles are expected to make a significant impact in combating crime and ensuring rapid response times when needed.
