- Volkswagen Citi Golf
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Volkswagen Citi Golf 
Manufacturer Volkswagen of South Africa Production 1984 – August 2009 Predecessor None Successor Polo Vivo Class Small family car Body style 3/5 door Hatchback Layout FF layout Related Volkswagen Golf Mk1 The Volkswagen Citi Golf was a car produced by Volkswagen in South Africa from 1984 until 21 August 2009. Formerly known as the CitiGolf, Citigolf (one word), or Chico, it was a face-lifted version of the original Volkswagen Golf Mk1 hatchback, which ceased production in Germany in 1983. The car was produced only with right-hand drive.
Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) assembled the Mk1 Golf from 1978 to 1984 when it was replaced by the Golf Mk2. VWSA however decided to retain the Mk1 as an affordable, locally manufactured entry-level car. Tooling mostly came from the Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant when it ceased production there in 1988.[citation needed]
The original Citigolf was available in a limited range of solid (non-metallic) colours (a fact highlighted in the contemporary advertising campaign which used a tagline "Red, Yellow, Blue... Not Green!"). The early cars were distinguished by white bumpers and wheels, as well as white appliqués carrying the CITIGOLF and CITI graphics mounted on the lower door panels and on the tailgate.
Initially, the bodywork was identical to that of the superseded Mk1 Golf, but a locally penned facelift gave it a sloping grille, similar to that of the Mk2 model Golf, as well as more modern "deep" bumpers in body colour.
In 2004, the Citi Golf received a facelift that included a new dashboard lifted from the Škoda Fabia, as well as larger front passenger windows. Until a further facelift in the second quarter of 2006, it sported tail-lights similar to post-1980 Euro Mk1s. The 2006 facelift saw modifications to the front bumper (adding a second grille in the lower half) as well as new, unique-to-South-Africa taillights incorporating a circular inset taillight–brakelight combination.
A sedan version called the Fox (Volkswagen Jetta A1) was also produced, along with a pick-up truck (known in South Africa as a bakkie) called the Caddy.
The Citi Golf and the Caddy are no longer in production but VWSA still has stock. VWSA now also produces the Golf Mk5, Jetta Mk5, the European VW Polo hatchback and its Brazilian sedan derivative. The Citi Golf was intended to complement this range as an entry-level vehicle.
"Special Edition" Citi Golfs carrying unique trim and equipment combinations have been released throughout the car's production run and include the "Designa", the "Blues", the "Ritz", the "Rhythm" and the "Citi.com" which, in theory, was available only if ordered over the Internet. Another special edition called the "Deco" introduced colour-coded leather seats to the car in 1995. It was available in three derivatives, namely red, green and a special electric blue. The latter was initially only offered on the Citi but was later transferred to other Volkswagen models as well. The "VeloCiti" model, which included the 1.8iR, was one of the best sellers. Other limited editions included the Citi Billabong and Citi Xcite. The most recent special edition is the "GTS", which takes its cues from the original GTS.
The Citi Golf was, for a time, also available in a 1.8-litre CTi variant with Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection (at a time when other versions still had carburettor engines). The CTi was very similar to the original Golf I GTi. In addition, there was a 1.8-litre carburettor-engined Sport variant (with advertising tagline "New Citigolf Sport, drive it home, Sport, drive it home.").
The last addition to the Citi Golf lineup is the Citi 1.8iR, which was unveiled at the Auto Africa Expo during October 2006 in Johannesburg. It features enhanced styling and specification, including a full bodykit, partial leather front seats, and aluminium trim on the dashboard. The engine is a 1.8-litre fuel-injected unit which, although it shares its displacement with the iconic CTi, pushes out 8 kW of extra power, taking it up to 90 kW. VWSA claims that it can accomplish 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. This was also a limited edition and only a handful were made between 2006 and 2008.
End of production and replacement
The Citigolf has come to end of production in SA after 25 years on the 21st of August 2009. A special version of the Citigolf, called the Citi Mk1, was released as a celebratory model. These are numbered 1 to 1000 and have several special features including lowered suspension, 15” alloy wheels, tinted windows, a leather sports steering wheel with airbag, and chrome foil side stripes. See the following link: VWSA Citi Mk1
On 11 March 2010, it was announced that it would be replaced by a version of the Mk. 4 Polo, called the Polo Vivo, despite these two cars were belonged to entirely different classes. [1]
Technical data VW Citi Golf VW Citi Golf 1.4 1.4 S 1.6 1.8 Engine: 4-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke) Displacement: 1423 cc 1595 cc 1780 cc Bore x Stroke: 76,5 x 77,4 mm 81 x 77 mm 81 x 86,4 mm Max. Power @ rpm: 73 hp (54 kW) @ 5600 84 hp (63 kW) @ 5500 100 hp (75 kW) @ 5500 122 hp (91 kW) @ 5900 Max. Torque @ rpm: 108 N·m (80 lb·ft) @ 3800 118 N·m (87 lb·ft) @ 4500 140 N·m (100 lb·ft) @ 4000 162 N·m (119 lb·ft) @ 4200 Compression Ratio: 9,75:1 10:1 Fuel System: Injection Valvetrain: OHC Cooling: Water Gearbox: 5-speed-manual, front wheel drive Front Suspension: Wishbones, struts, coil springs Rear suspension:: Multilink axle, trailing arms, coil springs Brakes: Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, on request power brakes Steering: Rack-and-pinion, on request power steering Body: Steel monocoque Track front/rear: 1,360 mm (54 in) / 1,360 mm (54 in) Wheelbase: 2,400 mm (94 in) L x W x H: 3,815 mm (150.2 in) x 1,610 mm (63 in) x 1,395 mm (54.9 in) mm Weight: ca. 900 kg (2,000 lb) Top speed: 156 km/h (97 mph) 170 km/h (110 mph) 180 km/h (110 mph) 187 km/h (116 mph) 0–100 km/h (0−62 mph): 11.7 s 10.8 s 9.3 s 8.5 s Fuel consumption (EU Combined cycle): 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres (38 mpg-imp; 32 mpg-US) 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres (37 mpg-imp; 31 mpg-US) 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres (36 mpg-imp; 30 mpg-US) 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres (32 mpg-imp; 26 mpg-US) References
- ^ Automobil Revue, catalogue 2007,p.527.
- ^ http://www.vw.co.za/assets/downloads/brochures/Citi_Brochure_May2009.pdf
- ^ http://www.vw.co.za/assets/downloads/brochures/Citi_GTS_Leaflet-2009.pdf
- ^ http://www.vw.co.za/assets/downloads/brochures/Citi_Mk1_Leaflet.pdf
External links
- Volkswagen Golf GTI reincarnated: presenting the Volkswagen CitiGolf 1.8iR
- VW South Africa Citi Golf
Categories:- Volkswagen vehicles
- Compact cars
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