Volkswagen Golf news - Cape flair - 2007

Going retro is all the rage with car designers nowadays, so rather than waste millions developing new models, it's only logical that some cunning manufacturer would simply relaunch an old model.

That's exactly what VW has decided to do with the Citi Gold R-Line, which is effectively a Mk1 Golf GTi.

To be fair to VW, the Mk1 Golf has never been out of production because it's sold in South Africa as a budget car.

And it's South Africa that the Citi Golf R-Line is destined for, although as they use right-hand drive, it wouldn't take a lot of effort to bring one to the UK.

VW has updated the engine to a 1.8-litre with 121bhp for 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 115mph.

While the performance and exterior styling may be similar to the 1970s original, even if the Citi Golf only comes as a five-door, the interior is now more contemporary.

VW in South Africa has pinched the dash from a Skoda Fabia and bolted it into the Citi Golf and even supplies modern comforts such as an MP3 player connection.

However, while there's no power steering and air conditioning remains an option, at least the golf ball gear knob is still there.

If you fancy getting all misty eyed, the Citi Golf R-Line costs around £8,000 in South Africa, which is about what a Golf GTi cost in the early 1980s. How retro is that?