But under the bonnet was the well-known Beetle boxer engine with air cooling – the focus was on reliability and low development costs. The striking styling of the two-door compact car was not based on any other Volkswagen known to date. Only a single, not fully functional vehicle was built. Two worlds combined Pioneering design, tried-and-tested engine. THE PIONEERS At the end of the 1960s, a successor was sought for the most successful Volkswagen to date, the Beetle. The expectations were high: the new vehicle had to be dynamic, but also comfort able and safe – and spacious yet compact. Engineers and designers from Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi got to work. In 1969, the development order (EA) 266 went to Porsche KG. A prototype with a self-supporting body, large boot lid and mid-engine concept was created. The water-cooled in-line engine was integrated under the rear bench seat. However, the unfavourable location made access difficult for repair and maintenance work. Nevertheless, the EA 266 offered a very sporty performance with a top speed of 187 km/h. The project was stopped in October 1971. More than 50 vehicles had been built by then, of which only a handful have survived. 1969–1971 VOLKSWAGEN EA 266 The decisive course for the future Golf is set in Ingolstadt. There, Rudolf Leiding is responsible for the Audi models 100 and 80, both of which are powered at the front wheels by a water-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine. A drive concept that, under his leadership in Wolfsburg from 1971 onwards, finally put the Golf on track. At this time, Giorgetto Giugiaro, who also creates the Passat and the Scirocco, is already in charge of the design. Under the direction of chief designer Herbert Schäfer, the Golf is further developed for series production. 1969–1971 VOLKSWAGEN EA 337 Step-by-step Golf Initially with rectangular headlights and a flatter windscreen, then further refined.