Golf
Press releases
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Transformation continuing apace: Zwickau car factory to produce only electric models in future
The last model with a combustion engine left the assembly line today at the Zwickau car factory. The seventh generation Golf R Estate with 2.0-litre petrol engine in Oryx White Pearl Effect was produced for a customer in Germany. From today on, only electric models of Volkswagen and in future also of the sister brands Audi and Seat will be produced in Zwickau. The leap into the modern automobile age has been a long one: since 1904, cars with combustion engines have been built in Zwickau - initially for many years, including Horch models, and in GDR times the Trabant came off the assembly line here. In May 1990, Volkswagen started production at its plant in western Saxony. Over the course of the past 30 years, exactly 6,049,207 Volkswagen cars of the models Polo, Golf, Golf Estate, Passat Saloon and Passat Variant have been produced in Zwickau. -
Only at Volkswagen: visitors can help build the e-Golf in the Transparent Factory in Dresden
As of today, visitors of Volkswagen's Transparent Factory in Dresden have the opportunity to get even closer to the e-Golf during production. With the new Mach-Mit production experience, they can accompany the vehicles along the production line for a while. Under the expert guidance of Volkswagen employees, they can help out at up to five different stations - for example, when attaching the e-Golf logo. Further experience points include the connection of the powertrain and body ("marriage"), the installation of the tail lights on the tailgate and the fitting of the radiator and radiator grille front with the brand logo. It is planned to offer the experience package from 2021 on also for the ID.3, which will then be produced in Dresden. -
Golf GTI with new Vehicle Dynamics Manager
Agile drive, the running gear of dreams, unmistakeable design, perfect ergonomics, unadulterated driving pleasure – that’s the DNA of a true sports car. At Volkswagen, this is represented by three letters: GTI. The eighth generation of the sporty Golf derivate is now on the way. The new Golf GTI is more digital, networked, more sharply designed and more active in motion than ever before. Its turbocharged engine generates 180 kW (245 PS). The new Vehicle Dynamics Manager intelligently manages the electromechanical running gear systems. Maximum dynamism, maximum comfort – Golf GTI combines both. -
Volkswagen ID.3 wins leading industry design award
The Volkswagen brand dominated the Automotive Brand Contest 2020, securing a total of five awards in the automotive design segment. The ID.3, the all-electric model leading the brand into the future, was named “Best of Best” in no less than two categories. The new Golf and the ID. SPACE VIZZION concept car were also amongst this year’s award winners. The Automotive Brand Contest is the only independent, international design competition for automotive brands. -
Technical milestone in road safety: experts praise Volkswagen’s Car2X technology
The new Golf can help drivers to prevent accidents, thanks to its innovative Car2X technology, allowing it to wirelessly connect with other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure. The Euro NCAP consortium gave special recognition to the traffic hazard alert function with the Advanced Award for ground-breaking safety fea-tures. The German automotive association ADAC tested the new technology and declared it a “technical milestone”. -
Volkswagen provides first insights into its new all-electric compact SUV ID.4
The ID. CROZZ showcar evolves into its series production version, the ID.4: Volkswagen is forging ahead with its electric mobility strategy by providing a detailed insight into the brand’s first all-electric SUV during a webcast following the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show. The new ID.4 will be launched this year. Following in the tracks of the ID.3, the countdown has already begun for the second model based on the new modular electric drive matrix (MEB). “Just like the ID.3, the ID.4 will also come onto the market as a carbon-neutral vehicle”, explains Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of the Volkswagen brand. “We will produce and sell the ID.4 in Europe, China and the U.S..” -
World premieres of sports car icons in Geneva: new Golf GTI, Golf GTE and Golf GTD
Three Golf versions, three characters, three efficient drive systems – one design and equipment philosophy. We are approaching the world premieres of the new Golf GTI, Golf GTD and Golf GTE at the Geneva Motor Show (5 to 15 March 2020). 44 years ago Volkswagen invented the Golf GTI, a sports car icon. It was followed in 1982 by the first Golf GTD and in 2014 by the first Golf GTE featuring plug-in hybrid drive. -
The eighth generation of an icon: World première of the new Golf GTI in Geneva
World première with impact: When Volkswagen launched the first Golf GTI 45 years ago at the International Motor show (IAA) in Frankfurt, no one could have guessed that the three letters G, T and I would go on to identify an icon. But that is exactly what happened. Anyone referring to GTI today is talking about an icon: the Golf GTI. Now Volkswagen is presenting the eighth generation of this worldwide success at the Geneva International Motor Show from 5 to 15 March. This marks the launch of a pure, intelligent and superior high-tech sports car for the digital age. -
World première at Geneva Motor Show: First glimpse of the new Golf GTD
Volkswagen will celebrate the world première of the Golf GTD at the Geneva International Motor Show from 5 to 15 March. Among the technical highlights is the most powerful and – thanks to twin dosing – cleanest turbo diesel injection (TDI) engine ever to be installed in a Golf. It harmonises the confident dynamism of the Golf GTD together with higher efficiency and lowest emissions. The charismatic design of the Golf GTD reflects a unique combination of dynamism and self-confidence. -
“I’m cold” – The new Golf responds with intelligent climate control
Volkswagen models represent modern functionality and the brand’s typically easy orientation inside the vehicle. With the new Golf, operation is now even more intuitive. A visible and tangible example is the control for the 3-zone automatic air conditioner “Air Care Climatronic”. This newly designed air conditioning system has a Smart Climate menu that can be used to activate specific individual functions such as “Warm feet” or “Clear view” – not only at the press of a button, but also using voice control. The new model is therefore the first Golf to respond interactively to the wishes of the driver and passenger. -
Top marks for the new Golf: five stars in the Euro NCAP test
Dream start with five stars: the new Golf has achieved the highest score in the Euro NCAP crash test (European New Car Assessment Programme). Auditors gave the new compact model very high ratings on all criteria – for the protection of adult occupants, children and vulnerable road users as well as in terms of assistance systems. -
Volkswagen Passenger Cars introduces new maintenance concept
This week, the Volkswagen brand is introducing a new maintenance concept for its vehicles with the launch of the Golf 8. Over the course of next year, the concept will be extended to all the models of the brand. Achim Schaible, Head of the After Sales & Dealer Network of the Volkswagen brand, explains: “The high quality of our vehicles allows us to double the inspection service interval in Europe to 24 months. We are therefore one of the few volume brands to call our customers into the workshops less frequently. In addition, our new standard inspection service is to replace the previous service. This way, we are considerably simplifying the maintenance program and making it more transparent for our customers and partners.” -
The new benchmark in the compact class: sales of the new Golf get underway
Sales of the new Golf get underway in Germany today. Volkswagen dealerships will be presenting the latest edition of Europe’s most popular car in their showrooms, starting this Friday. It is the most progressive Golf of all time. The standard features of the basic version of the new Golf include a digital cockpit, access to online services, LED headlights and LED tail light clusters as well as a number of assist systems. The Golf is also the first ever Volkswagen to make use of traffic swarm intelligence via Car2X to enable advance hazard warnings. The new Golf will be available with four sustainable TSI and TDI engines at its launch, with fuel consumption reduced by up to 17%. During the launch phase, the engines can be configured with the new “Life” equipment line. The basic price of the Golf Life 1.5 TSI with 96 kW/130 PS: €27,510. -
ʺLife happens with a Golfʺ: New Volkswagen marketing campaign starts on 6 December
On 6 December the Volkswagen brand is starting a new marketing campaign for the Golf 8 in Germany. The claim: ʺLife happens with a Golfʺ. In the first quarter of 2020 the campaign will be rolled out to further countries in Europe. It comprises a total of more than 450 elements, including digital assets, social media content, commercials and out-of-home advertising. The campaign was developed by Voltage, the Volkswagen lead agency for Europe. -
Highlight of the new Golf – The Digital Cockpit
The new Golf will shortly come to market with a revolutionary cockpit that is clearer, neater, completely digitalised, and connected online, and that will make operating this bestseller more intuitive than ever. -
First for Africa: Volkswagen and Siemens launch joint electric mobility pilot project in Rwanda
In a first for the African continent, the Volkswagen Brand has launched a pilot project in partnership with Siemens to test the feasibility of electric mobility in an African country. -
World premiere for the new Golf: digitalised, connected, and intelligent
The Golf is the most successful European car for more than four decades. A new chapter in the history of this best-seller begins today, 24 October 2019, with the world premiere of the eighth Golf – digitalised, connected, and intuitive to operate. Never before has a Golf been so progressive. With hybrid versions launched at the same time, it is electrifying the compact class. Its digital interior enables a new dimension of intuitive operation. Speeds of up to 210 km/h are possible with assisted driving. It is the first Volkswagen to use swarm intelligence from traffic via Car2X, meaning it can warn against hazards on an anticipatory basis. Its world premiere takes place in Wolfsburg, where the Golf was invented, and where it has been built and refined for the last 45 years. The new Golf will be available on the market in December. -
Countdown to the new Golf: Golf Mk7 – lightweight construction and broad powertrain options
Of more than 35 million Golf cars that have been built to date, around six million were Golf Mk7 models – the most recent generation. The story of this seventh Golf officially starts at its world premiere in Berlin, on 4 September 2012. Just one day later, pre-sales of the new Golf started in the first countries. As was also the case with its predecessors the Mk1, Mk2, Mk3, Mk4, Mk5, and Mk6 – which together achieved total sales of 29.3 million units – it became a world best-seller. -
Volkswagen builds Golf faster than ever before
Over 35 million Golf in various versions have been produced worldwide since the first generation, 26 million of them at the Wolfsburg plant. Production of the new Golf at the main plant began in the summer and is currently in the run-up phase. The first vehicles will be in the showrooms at dealers in Germany and Austria in early December. To prepare for production, approximately 700 work steps were analyzed at over 400 workshops to leverage existing efficiency reserves. Numerous process improvements have been implemented to make sure the eighth generation of the bestseller can be built more efficiently than its predecessor. -
Countdown to the new Golf: Golf Mk6 – high-end in a compact format
2.85 million Golf Mk6 vehicles were produced between 2008 and 2012. Golf generation number 6 once again represented a leap forward in terms of safety: the still laser-welded body scored the maximum of five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test with flying colours. An armada of new assist systems also premiered in this Golf – they marked the breakthrough of high-tech safety and comfort technologies. -
Countdown to the new Golf: the Golf Mk5 – it's come of age
This was the Golf generation offering comfort and dynamics that went beyond those of quite a number of competitors within the upper mid-sized vehicle class. The same rang true for quality. A value that underlines the stability of the laser-welded body is that its torsional rigidity had increased by 35 percent in 2003 upon the debut of the Golf Mk5. This also marked the first time that the Golf was optionally available with side airbags in the rear – in conjunction with the standard airbags (front, sides at the front, head-protection airbag) this now meant that eight of these protecting, inflatable pads were on board the vehicle. -
Countdown to the new Golf: Golf Mk 4 – the style icon
Its clear-cut and precise design characterised the brand more than ever before and set the course for the Volkswagen of the future: The Golf Mk 4 was developed in the mid 90s under the direction of the Volkswagen Head Designer at the time, Hartmut Warkuß. Today, design experts consider it a style icon that was pioneering for the product line. This also comes as a result of this particular generation’s uncompromisingly clear-cut lines and the product line’s striking C-pillar design that bridged the gap to the 1974 Golf Mk1. -
Countdown to the new Golf: Golf Mk3 – a pioneer in safety systems
From August 1991, Volkswagen kickstarted a new era of safety with the third generation of the Golf. The Mk3 Golf was the product line’s first model to be available with front airbags, from 1992, and furthermore, large steps forward in body design also led to significantly improved crash properties. With the Golf Mk3, Volkswagen democratised passive safety, as the improved protection it offered benefited many people. -
Countdown to the new Golf: Golf Mk II – a perfected concept
In 1983 Volkswagen launched the second Golf generation on the market. It was in this vehicle that the “Golf generation”, as German best-selling author Florian Illies coined the vehicle’s contemporaries, learnt to drive. The fact of the matter is that this Golf also became a worldwide success: by the time it was phased out in 1991, Volkswagen had produced 6.3 million Golf Mk II. -
Countdown to the new Golf: Golf I – the pioneer
The first series-production Golf rolls off the production line in Wolfsburg in March 1974 and is available at dealerships from May in the same year. Where the Beetle had dominated the scene with its rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive for many decades: the era of the front-mounted engine installed across the body and front-wheel drive had finally dawned. The Scirocco and the Passat, introduced in 1973, had kicked off this trend shortly before. With the Golf, the class with the highest volumes had now also been converted to the new technology. -
The all-new Golf is ready to go
If there’s one car you could call a bestseller for decades, it’s the Golf. Developed continuously from one generation to the next, it has become firmly established worldwide. In two weeks, on 24 October, the Volkswagen brand presents the eighth generation at a world premiere in Wolfsburg: featuring more digitalisation and connectivity than ever before, packed with innovations and sporting a highly expressive design. -
IAA 2019: Volkswagen launches the breakthrough for electric vehicles with the ID.3’s world premiere
The future is rarely as tangible as at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt: the new ID.3 from Volkswagen – the first fully electric production car of the all-new ID. family. Its base price will be less than €30,000. The ID.3 has the potential to usher in a new era of large-scale electric mobility production. “The ID.3 is the world’s first electric car with a CO2-neutral footprint. Consequently, it is making its mark: for innovative technology, for the freedom of individual mobility and for climate protection”, Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand, explained at IAA today. -
Innovative twin dosing reduces NOx emissions by approx. 80 percent
Since 2018, only SCR exhaust gas treatment systems have been used in Volkswagen models with diesel engines. SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology significantly reduces nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas. Volkswagen has now developed the next evolutionary stage of the SCR system – so-called “twin dosing”. Adblue is injected selectively upstream of two SCR catalytic converters which are arranged in series. The system is used in the new Passat 2.0 TDI Evo with 110 kW (150 PS), which already meets the technical requirements of the future Euro 6d emission standard as a result. -
Final testing phase of the new Golf has started
A new Golf is rolling up to the starting grid, marking the eighth generation. The design and digital innovations launch this bestseller – which has been built more than 35 million times – into a new age: the era of electrified drives, a digitalised and connected interior world, assisted driving and online-based functions and services. The next generation of the Golf will shape the era with new impulses. -
Volkswagen WeShare launched in Berlin as full-electric service
Volkswagen is entering the growing car sharing sector. WeShare is being launched in Berlin today. With 1,500 e-Golf vehicles, the Volkswagen brand is bringing onto the roads a 100 percent electric fleet and all the vehicles will be operated on green power. They are to be followed by 500 additional e-up! vehicles at the beginning of next year and the first units of Volkswagen’s new full-electric ID.3 when it is introduced in mid-2020. WeShare is a “free-floating” system without rental stations and is operated digitally via an app. An expansion of WeShare, initially to Prague, together with ŠKODA, and then to Hamburg, is planned for 2020. -
Volkswagen and Schwarz Group to be strategic e-partners
Shortly before the market launch of its full-electric car sharing service WeShare in Berlin at the end of June, Volkswagen has concluded a strategic partnership with the Lidl and Kaufland supermarket chains, which are owned by the Schwarz Group. The food retailers are to install 140 public charging stations for the electric vehicles of their customers at 60 Lidl and 10 Kaufland branches in the German capital. Volkswagen is to receive the exclusive right to use the new infrastructure for charging its WeShare fleet overnight outside opening hours, which will make the utilization of the charging stations more efficient. The additional charging points at Lidl and Kaufland outlets will boost the public charging infrastructure in Berlin by almost 20 percent. -
World premiere: An interplay of light and lightness – a hologram in the GTI
The Golf GTI Aurora, which Volkswagen is currently showcasing at the GTI meeting on Lake Wörth, seems fast and loud at first glance, but innovative and futuristic at the second. Why? Because the technological highlight of the model only becomes visible when you open the luggage compartment. A holographic module, which Volkswagen Group Components’ innovation development has been honing for months, is at work here. It is now possible for the high-end sound system of the show car to be controlled via an intuitively operable hologram – a world first, and not just at Lake Wörth. -
Double debut at the GTI gathering: Apprentices from Wolfsburg and Zwickau present self-developed Golf showcars Aurora and FighteR
Double the pleasure at Wörthersee! The 29th of May is the big day for two teams of apprentices at Volkswagen. At the 38th GTI gathering, they will be presenting the showcars they developed and built themselves for the first time to tens of thousands of automobile fans attending the legendary event in 2019. The spotlight will be on the Golf GTI Aurora from Wolfsburg and the Golf Estate FighteR from Zwickau – and both Volkswagens will absolutely delight the fans. -
Golf turns 45 – On 29 March 1974, Volkswagen started making Europe’s most successful car
The Golf, the most successful European car, is turning 45. On 29 March 1974, the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg officially started production of what would become its bestseller. Back then, nobody at Volkswagen had any idea that the successor to the legendary Beetle would end up selling more than 35 million units all over the world – and still selling to this day. In purely mathematical terms, a new Golf has been ordered somewhere in the world every 41 seconds, every day, without interruption, since the start of production (SOP) 45 years ago. That is an average of around 780,000 vehicles per year. -
Destined to win: up!, Polo and Golf are the winners in the “Best Cars 2019” Reader’s Choice Awards
The trade magazine auto motor und sport chose the winners of its “Best Cars 2019” Reader’s Choice Awards in Stuttgart today. Three models of the Volkswagen brand, the up!, Polo and Golf, were among the winners. The award, one of the top automotive awards of the year, was received by Volkswagen’s Brand Board of Management members Ralf Brandstätter (Chief Operating Officer), Dr Frank Welsch (Development) and Jürgen Stackmann (Sales, Marketing and After Sales). -
Fuel-efficient micro-hybrid for the Golf New 130 PS petrol engine is as efficient as a diesel
Progress makes the impossible possible. This is exemplified by a petrol engine like no other before it: a petrol engine that offers diesel-like fuel economy but is significantly cheaper to buy. A petrol engine that during the journey occasionally simply switches off two of its four cylinders or even takes a complete break. A petrol engine that combines supreme torque with low emissions. Volkswagen has developed such an engine: the new 1.5 TSI ACT BlueMotion. It has an output of 96 kW / 130 PS and is currently already powering the Golf and Golf Variant. In the future, the efficient 1.5 TSI ACT BlueMotion will also be available for other Volkswagen models. -
Volkswagen Sachsen reduces environmental footprint using Naturstrom® hydropower
The Volkswagen brand is stepping up the use of renewable energy in production with a view to further reducing its environmental footprint. Starting this year, the three production plants of Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH have been supplied with Volkswagen Naturstrom® electric power from 100% renewable sources by VW Kraftwerk GmbH. This measure is playing its part in meeting the target of Volkswagen's Think Blue. Factory environmental program to produce each vehicle and component in a way which is 45 percent more environmentally compatible in 2025 than in the base year of 2010. -
Golf with new 1.5 TSI engine now available to order
Volkswagen is equipping the new Golf with its most modern engine generation, the 1.5 TSI Evo (110 kW / 150 PS). The four-cylinder petrol engine features common rail direct injection, turbocharger and Active Cylinder Management (ACT). The new Golf 1.5 TSI is available for purchase immediately and from the Comfortline equipment line upwards. The base price for the Golf is €24,350, prices for the Golf Variant 1.5 TSI start from €26,400. -
The new Golf R-Line and Golf Variant R-Line
Buyers of the new Golf who want to upgrade to sportier features can now order the new R-Line packages. Along with an exterior package, which consists of distinctive front and rear body modifications, there is also an extensive R-Line package. It contains features of the exterior package, alloy wheels and, in addition, sophisticated interior accents. An overview of the packages: -
Wolfsburg employees showcase their plant with a movie to mark the world premiere of the new Golf
Employees at the main plant in Wolfsburg played a part in the making of a movie for the world premiere of the new Golf. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, commented: "Employees at the Wolfsburg plant are proud of the new Golf and of the enormous joint achievement it represents. That is why the movie for the world premiere of the new Golf was filmed where the Golf is built." -
Motor show premiere – the new Golf GTD Variant Sporty Golf GTD makes debut as 184-PS Variant car
Ten key facts on the premiere of the Golf GTD Variant: 1. First Golf GTD Variant develops 135 kW / 184 PS of power and an impressive 380 Nm of torque. 2. With a top speed of up to 231 km/h, the Golf GTD Variant consumes a mere 4.4 l/100 km with a 6-speed manual gearbox. 3. Equipped with a Stop-Start system, the Golf GTD Variant combines thrilling dynamics with maximum efficiency. 4. Extremely clean long-distance TDI engine with NOx storage catalytic converter meets the Euro 6 emissions standard with ease. 5. Golf GTD Variant is offered with a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox as an option. 6. Bi-xenon headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, "Composition Touch" radio system and automatic climate control as standard. 7. Sport suspension, XDS+ vehicle dynamics function and ESC Sport ensure superior handling. 8. New Golf GTD Variant accommodates five adults along with 605 litres of luggage. 9. When loaded to the roof, the cargo space of the Golf GTD Variant increases to 1,620 litres. 10. Sport seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, leather-trimmed gear knob and black headliner are GTD interior features. -
World premiere of the new Golf GTD Variant*
Since 1982 the Volkswagen's GTD logo stands for sporty and economical motoring. Now for the first time, the GTD initials grace the Golf Variant, which like the Golf GTD, boasts the 184 PS (135 kW) TDI engine. The new Golf GTD Variant is set for its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, and is available to order as of now at a price of 31,975 euros.
Stories
Highlights from three decades of Wörthersee GTI meeting
From 100 to 100,000 international fans: We are referring to the legendary Wörthersee GTI meeting. The Coronavirus situation has led to the cancellation of this year’s “madness on the lake”. To heighten anticipation of a swift reunion, we are using this Ascension Day to look back on some selected Wörthersee highlights from the last 39 years.
Golf GTI – eight generations, each with that distinctive front
The powerhouse in the compact class: in the 1970s, the Golf GTI – now in its eighth generation in 2020 – was a cult car from the word go. We reveal what makes the punchy front of the GTI so special, and how this has developed over the past half century. Marco Pavone, Head of Exterior Design for the Volkswagen Brand, explains the generations and the latest GTI model.
The benchmark of its time – for decades
Clear lines, pure design – the new Volkswagen was a revolution in 1974. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who created a genuine icon. Since then, the Golf has inspired time and time again – the latest generation, the eighth, was designed by Volkswagen Group Chief Designer, Klaus Bischoff, and his team. 46 years passed between the first and the latest model. The two designers were faced with very different challenges, and yet one question connects them both: how do you create a design that stands the test of time?
Car2X in the new Golf: A “technological milestone”
German Automotive Association ADAC tested one of its functionalities, traffic hazard alert, and called it a “technological milestone”. Euro NCAP, as an independent organisation, has particularly honoured it – with the “Advanced Award”, the special award for ground-breaking safety features.
Basic Infos
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The new Golf GTI
Virtual presentation -
The new Golf GTI, GTD and GTE
Volkswagen live – online -
The new Golf - International vehicle presentation
In brief: The new Golf – intelligent, connected and electrified