Factory code: Type 1J (A4) Saloon
In 1997, the Golf IV replaces its predecessor. Anyone taking a seat in the newly designed interior is as surprised as they had been in the Passat B5: the workmanship and appearance of the interior sets new standards in its class. The fourth-generation Golf looks unusually high-quality and stands out from all its competitors right from the start thanks to its qualities.
The clear design and minimal body joints shape the brand for the future: under the direction of Volkswagen's chief designer Hartmut Warkuß, the VW Golf IV takes shape in the mid-1990s. Today, design experts consider the design to be a style icon and groundbreaking for the model series – not least because the fourth generation, with its brilliant clarity and the C-pillar design that characterises the model series, builds a bridge to the Golf I of 1974.
The fully galvanised body impresses with its perfect surfaces. Large wheels and a wide track ensure a confident appearance. Details such as the seamlessly integrated bumpers and the clear glass headlights used for the first time in the VW Golf IV represent a level of quality previously unattained in this class. The fourth Golf is also significantly larger than its predecessor: it is 13 centimetres longer, 4 centimetres wider, and has a 3.5-centimetre longer wheelbase. This means that the usable interior space is also noticeably larger than in the Golf III.
At the start of production, the petrol engine range extends from a 1.4-litre 16V with 75 kW (75 PS) to a 2.3-litre V5 with 100 kW (150 PS), and diesel engines ranging from a 1.9-litre SDI with 50 kW (68 PS) to a 1.9-litre TDI with 81 kW (110 PS). In 2002, Volkswagen introduces the R32, capable of speeds of up to 247 km/h. The revolutionary direct shift gearbox (DSG) makes its debut in 2003 in the all-wheel-drive top model of the series.
A total of 4.9 million VW Golf IV, including all derivatives, are produced.
