The Volkswagen Golf is a firm favourite in South Africa, with the high-power GTI-version being the one to own. Performance Golfs sell extremely well on local soil and limited editions have managed to fetch more than market value and resell with minimal loss.

For the first time in many decades, the VW Golf has received a mid-lifecycle facelift, giving us what is colloquially known as the Golf 7.5, an update on the Golf 7. We tested the new Volkswagen Golf GTI and went through some of the changes in this video:    • What's new in the 2017 Volkswagen Gol...  

To get an enthusiast's point of view, well called up one of our superfans and asked if he'd like to fly up to Johannesburg to sample the new GTI. Naturally, he said yes, and before we knew it, his flight had landed and a drive in and around Johannesburg gave him chance to develop some thoughts on this new version.

As a former GTI owner and a current Clubsport owner, Mpiti has a great basis for comparison. He was suitably impressed with the improved trim level, new digital displays and gesture control infotainment system.

When we asked him if this made him want to sell the Clubsport and buy a Golf GTI facelift, he admitted that the new car made his Clubsport feel dated, but loves the additional power of the Clubsport too much to want to switch.

Take a look as we cruise around the city, shooting the breeze and discussing the new Golf GTI.