The Volkswagen Golf Turns 40
Published on May 3, 2014 in Galleries by Frédérick Boucher-Gaulin
In May 1974, the first-gen Volkswagen Golf came out of the Wolfburg factory. It was named Rabbit in Canada. Now, with more than 30 millions unit sold, it is the second best-selling vehicle ever made.
The first Golf is launched in 1974. It was designed to replace the Beetle. It's also one of the first FWD car made by VW.
In 1976, the GTI is launched. With a 1.8 liter fuel-injected engine, it made 106 HP.
1976 also saw the apparition of the Golf Cabriolet, and even a pickup version, the Caddy.
In 1979, Volkswagen saw that some people didn't want a hatchback, so they made the Jetta in two and four-door versions.
The second-generation Golf is unveiled in 1983. It is larger, longer and wider than the last one.
The sexy Corrado is launched in 1988, using the Golf platform.
The third-gen Golf is available for the public in 1991. It was named European Car of the Year in 1992.
For the first time, a turbo-diesel engine is offered in the Golf.
There is also a 6-cylinder engine offered, the VR6. It produced 188HP, and could send the car to 100 km/h in 7 seconds.
The first Golf wagon, the Variant, is unveiled in 1993.
The Golf receive a major makeover for 1998.
In 2002, VW took a regular Golf, stuck a 3.2L VR6 engine in it, and fitted the AWD drivetrain from an Audi TT. The result was named R32, and could embarass much pricier cars on a track!
The 25th anniversary of the GTI is commemorated by this special edition, in 2002.
A little more confusing is this 2003 20th Anniversary Edition. It was made by VW USA to commemorate the anniversary of the original car's arrival on US soil.
One of the most famous owner of an MK4 Golf, Pope Benedict XVI!
The fifth-gen is launched in 2004, with a 2.5L 5-cylinder engine.
Volkswagen surprised us with this crazy concept in 2007. named GTI W12, it features a mid-mounted, twin-turbo 6 liter W12 engine, pumping out 641 HP! It went from 0 to 100 in 3.7 seconds!
The sixth iteration of the Golf is unveiled in 2007.
Volkswagen revives the R moniker in 2009. It features AWD and a 256HP 2 liter engine.
The latest Golf, the MK7, is shown at the Paris Auto Show in 2012. It is now one of the only car to feature every type of engine : petrol, diesel, CNG, electricity and hybrid.