The Golf has been around since 1974 and has lent its name to a whole generation of cars. No other European car has recorded such a high sales figure. Up to the end of 2017, almost 35 million units had already been sold. Calculations suggest that somewhere in the world, someone has opted for a new Golf every 40 seconds for the past four decades. The Golf is now produced at five plants, in Germany, Brazil, China and Mexico, and exported to 155 countries all over the globe. The current seventh-generation Golf is the only car in the world to be available with electric, hybrid, gasoline, diesel and CNG powertrains.
Golf
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Press releases
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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. -
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. -
You can even go caravanning with a Golf
The Autumn break is just around the corner – and with it comes an end to the camping and caravanning season. But before it’s too cold, there is time for one last big trip: Whether you take the caravan all the way to Lake Garda in Italy, or spend a long weekend camping close to your hometown – the Golf, Germany’s most popular compact car, is a great towing vehicle. This is due to its high trailer weight capacity of up to 1,800 kg, which is enough for most large caravans. -
Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor Symposium
Volkswagen will be enhancing its model range by an innovative spectrum of completely new drive systems. These include affordable mild hybrid drives with 48V technology, new high-tech diesel engines that will also be available as hybrid variants and what is currently the world's most cutting-edge natural gas drive. Volkswagen has now announced initial facts as part of the Vienna Motor Symposium (26 to 27 April). The technologies showcased in Vienna as world premieres form a vital part of the progressively aligned Volkswagen drive strategy. It involves the combination of state-of-the-art petrol, diesel and natural gas engines, new hybrid systems and purely electric drives. With this combination, Volkswagen will among other things meet the CO2 fleet emissions target of 95 g/km prescribed in the EU as of 2020. -
Volkswagen at the Techno Classica 2017: the best of both worlds
The world's biggest show for classic automobiles is opening its doors: at the Techno Classica, which is being held from 5 until 9 April in Essen, Volkswagen Classic is presenting two different themes on one stand this year. ‘Driven by the future' is showcasing prototypes and small-scale production runs of vehicles with electric drive systems. The exhibits, some of which are being shown in public for the first time, tell an ‘electrifying' story. Volkswagen began conducting research into alternative drive technologies more than 40 years ago. In the second themed area entitled ‘You better look twice', visitors can look forward to sports classics with the ‘wow effect' under the bonnet: on show are fast production models from the 1970s and 1980s, whose mighty horsepower potential only becomes evident upon closer inspection.
Stories
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?
‘I love this car’
Few other cars are so deeply rooted in the lives of their drivers as the Golf. In the series entitled ‘It’s my Life’, we present people who drive the Golf – and live for it. In part 7, Benny Leuchter confesses his love for the Golf VII GTI Clubsport S.
One for five
Few other cars are so deeply rooted in the lives of their drivers as the Golf. In the series entitled ‘It’s my Life’, we present people who drive the Golf – and live for it. In part 6, Ulrike Gerwin explains why her Golf VI is just the right car for her family of five.
‘The Golf is just right’
We present people who drive the Golf. Personal stories of life with the automotive icon. In the fifth part, Reinhold Rupperath from Effelsberg, Germany presents his Golf V GTI.
There can only be one ...
There can be few other cars as deeply rooted in the lives of its drivers as the Golf. ‘It’s my Life’; a series introducing people who drive the Golf – and who eat and breath Golf. In part 4, the Austrian Ronny Pitz from Klagenfurt explains why a 2004 Golf MK IV R32 is the perfect car for him.
‘I wouldn’t want any other car!’
We present people who drive the Golf. Personal stories of life with the automotive icon. This time, we visit Tina Kraßowski, who drives a 1996 Golf III CL in Dragon Green Metallic.
The Golf family
Few other cars are so deeply rooted in the lives of their drivers as the Golf. In the series entitled ‘It’s my Life’, we present people who drive the Golf – and live for it. In part two, Anna Webelsiep and Christoph Dalchau talk about how their Golf II ‘Madison’ has become part of the family.
Starting school in a Golf
Few other cars are so deeply rooted in the lives of their drivers as the Golf. In the series entitled ‘It’s my Life’, we present people who drive the Golf – and live for it. In part one, Andreas and Bianca Wehlen explain why they could never do without their Golf MK I.
The magnificent Seven
The countdown to the new Golf is underway – and the eighth generation follows in mighty footsteps. No other European car was sold more often. A review of seven glorious predecessors. In addition we offer info graphics for each, two videos as well as four picture galeries.
Basic Infos
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International Driving Presentation - The new Golf GTI Clubsport S
The Golf GTI Clubsport S breaks the lap record for front-wheel-drive cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 07:49:21 This exclusive GTI is a two-seater with a 310 PS engine and newly configured chassis -
40 Years of Golf
Best-seller – the Golf was built more than 30 million times until now Trendsetter – the Golf democratised safety, sportiness and sustainability -
International driving presentation of the new e-Golf
Zero-emission e-Golf glides through the day for around €3.30** per 100 km Electric Golf is also available with high-tech assistance systems -
The new Golf R
New TSI propels Golf R with DSG to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds Golf R makes its debut with a new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system and progressive steering -
The new Golf GTD - International Press Presentation
Contains 7 sections: Powertrain, Running gear, Exterior, Interior, Features, Technologies and Overview -
New Golf GTI - International Press Presentation
Contains 7 sections: Powertrain, Running gear, Exterior, Interior, Features, Technologies and Overview -
The new Golf. Das Auto. International Driving Presentation
Contains 10 sections: Styling, Engineering, Interior, Infotainment systems, Standard and optional features, Innovations, Powertrain structure, Running gear, Retrospective, Overview -
The Golf R - International Driving Presentation, Ellmau 2010
Contains 7 sections: R Concentrate - More power, less fuel, TSI of the Golf R, All-wheel drive, Sport chassis, Exterior features, Interior features and Overview of standard equipment -
The New Golf GTD – International Driving Presentation
Contains 6 sections: GTD – Concept, GTD – Drivetrain, GTD – Handling, GTD – Exterior, GTD – Interior and GTD – Fully equipped -
Golf GTI - International Driving Presentation
Contains 7 sections: Icons of Sportiness, Design as Homage to the First GTI, GTI Phenomenon, Inception of the GTI, History, Exclusive Standard Features of the GTI, Individualized Options on the GTI
Photo albums
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Photo Golf 1st - 7th Generations
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Photos Golf GTI 1st - 7the Generations
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Photos Golf GTD Generations
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Photos Golf R Generations
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Photos Golf R 32 Generations
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Photos e-Golf 1st Generation
