Over eight model generations and numerous further updates, the Golf has continued to write the history of mobility for many millions of people that Volkswagen established with the Beetle. With more than 37 million vehicles delivered in over 70 countries since 1974, the Golf is one of the most successful cars ever produced. It is a real success story and has accompanied the lives of countless people through the automotive world. Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the first Golf, whose iconic DNA can still be found today in the proportions, design and innovation of every new Golf. The Golf is regarded as a classless car, but one that has created its own class, the Golf class. It has been a constant for Volkswagen for 5 decades. It is incredibly versatile: it has been available with two doors and to this day with four doors, as a sporty, electric version, Sportsvan and convertible version.
With each generation, the Golf has undergone decisive further development. In design, for example: the Golf I is the iconic Urmeter. The Golf II is the modernization of the Urmeter and the invention of the
Continuity. The Golf III carries the DNA into the modern age. The clean design of the Golf IV reflects the courage to reduce. And the Golf V is once again the modernization of its predecessor with a great deal of dynamism. The Golf VI brought maximum precision and sharp edges to the car. The Golf VII is the pure essence with the best elements of all previous generations in one car.
And the eighth Golf, with its flat front end, is once again a dynamic evolution of the Golf VII. The introduction of four valves, the GTI, the first Formula E like Economy later BlueMotion, the Golf II syncro as the first Volkswagen model in the compact class with all-wheel drive, which established 4Motion technology, the CityStromer as the forerunner of the e-Golf and many innovations from headlight technology to sports models, which also celebrated success in many motorsport series, are also considered milestones in technology.
Now in its eighth generation, in addition to modern engines, the use of more sustainable materials, assistance systems for comfort and safety, digitalization in the car and connectivity are playing an increasingly important role. With IDA and the ChatGPT application, the Golf now features voice-controlled systems for even better operation and information.
You can find out much more about the development and model history of the Golf in a special area at DRIVE. Here you can take a close look at a current Golf GTE and a Golf from production for export to the former GDR.
You can also find more information on the history of golf Golf_Booklet_deutsch
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