Volkswagen Citi
Encyclopedia
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.
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Initially, the bodywork was identical to that of the superseded Mk1 Golf, but a locally penned facelift gave it a sloping grille, similar to that of the Mk2 model Golf, as well as more modern "deep" bumpers in body colour.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 Europe
an 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.
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. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/vwsa-launches-polo-vivo-as-citigolf-replacement-2010-03-11
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
produced by Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
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
Volkswagen Golf Mk1
In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, hatchback replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle.-History:...
hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
, which ceased production in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
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
Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant
The Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant is a manufacturing plant formerly operated by Volkswagen of America , south of Pittsburgh in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania near New Stanton. The complex manufactured 1.15 million vehicles from 1978 to 1988...
when it ceased production there in 1988.
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
Škoda Fabia
The Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
, 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 Fox
The Volkswagen CrossFox is a mini SUV version which sets it apart from the standard Fox. As is the case for other similar models, it is available only with front-wheel drive....
(Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Although the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
A1) was also produced, along with a pick-up truck
Pick-Up Truck
"Pick-Up Truck" is a song written and recorded by Belgian acid house musician Praga Khan. It is the third single from Praga's eighth studio album, Soundscraper....
(known in South Africa as a bakkie) called the Caddy
Volkswagen Caddy
Released in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
.
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 Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an 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 Mk1On 11 March 2010, it was announced that it would be replaced by a version of the Mk. 4
Volkswagen Polo Mk4
The Volkswagen Polo Mk4 is the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Polo that has been sold by the German automaker Volkswagen from early 2002 to 2009 in most countries. It is still being manufactured in South Africa, where it is sold as the Polo Vivo. The MK4 replaced the Volkswagen Polo Mk3 in the...
Polo
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, coupé and estate variants....
, called the Polo Vivo, despite these two cars were belonged to entirely different classes. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/vwsa-launches-polo-vivo-as-citigolf-replacement-2010-03-11