Golf

With the ‘Goldene Lenkrad’ (The Golden Steering Wheel) award, the trade magazine AUTO BILD and the BILD am SONNTAG newspaper recognise outstanding new models every year. This year, the Volkswagen brand has achieved exceptional success and is the first manufacturer in the 49-year history of the Golden Steering Wheel to win in as many as four categories. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 prevails in the compact class against two electrically powered competitors, while the ID.7 GTX Tourer wins in the upper mid-size class against two models from German premium manufacturers. The new Tayron wins as the best family car against two SUVs from the Czech Republic and Sweden, and the new T-Roc, which will be available at dealerships from this week, receives the editorial prize as "Best car under 40,000 euros".

Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the GTI next year. An exclusive model is being launched in time for the anniversary: the Golf GTI EDITION 50. With an output of 239 kW (325 PS) and a torque of 420 Nm, it is the most powerful production GTI to date. The compact sports car reaches its top speed at 270 km/h. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The anniversary model also impresses with outstanding driving dynamics and exclusive equipment details. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 can be ordered now, with prices starting at 54,540 euros.

Volkswagen and Walt Disney Animation Studios have announced a special collaboration for the release of “Zootopia 2,” in theaters Nov 26th. The highlight of the collaboration is the appearance of three custom-animated vehicles in the film inspired by the all-electric Volkswagen models ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7 Tourer. The product placement is part of a new 360 campaign from Volkswagen, that will be rolled out globally.

Status quo of the Golf class. Volkswagen R presents the most powerful Golf models of our time: the new Golf R and the new Golf R Variant with 245 kW (333 PS). The new maximum output corresponds to an increase of 10 kW compared with the direct predecessors. As standard. This power has so far only been available in exclusive special models. The Golf R Variant has never before been available with this amount of power. The times for the classic sprint from 0 to 100 km/h have thus now been shortened to 4.6 and 4.8 seconds (Variant) respectively. In the latest generation too, the top speed can be increased by 20 km/h to 270 km/h by adding the Performance package. This makes the Golf R models the world’s fastest Volkswagens together with the Arteon R Shooting Brake.

GTI – the next chapter. It has the world’s largest fan base of all compact sports cars and is regarded as the original in its class: the Golf GTI is the ultimate icon, with well over 2.3 million units sold. A new evolutionary stage of this vehicle is now being launched. The output of the Golf GTI has increased from 180 kW (245 PS) to 195 kW (265 PS). Pre-sales will get underway in Europe on 14 May. The next GTI highlight will follow just a few days later with the world premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport at the Nürburgring – as part of the legendary 24-hour race. This represents the start of a true GTI weekend: on 1 June, Volkswagen will unveil the 221 kW (300 PS) Golf GTI Clubsport in front of thousands of visitors, who will then be able to take a closer look at the top-of-the-range GTI model on the ‘Nürburgring Boulevard’. The world premiere is taking place to coincide with the celebration of the Golf’s 50th birthday (launched in 1974). To help mark the occasion, three classic Golf vehicles will be taking part in the ADAC 24h Classic (3-hour race) on 2 June just before the main race. And that’s not all. A truly unique Golf will then take part in the 24-hour race: the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, which boasts an output of 256 kW (348 PS). This race car was originally designed by Volkswagen Motorsport and has now been taken to the next level. As a tribute to half a century of Golf, the race organisers have given it the start number 50. Volkswagen says thank you!

Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Golf. Series production of the bestseller started in Wolfsburg in March 1974. More than 37 million units have followed that first Golf to date. Purely in mathematical terms, this means that over 2,000 people around the world have opted to buy a new Golf every single day over the last 50 years. This makes the compact icon the most successful European car and the best-selling Volkswagen model of all time. Volkswagen is now presenting the latest stage in the Golf’s evolution with a world premiere, featuring a new infotainment system that has been developed from scratch and a next-generation plug-in hybrid drive. The best Golf of the last 50 years will arrive in dealerships this spring.