We do love a bit of good Volkswagen Golf news, and the latest about the award-winning family car is that over almost 40 years, Volkswagen has produced 30-million Golfs across seven generations. Yes, that equates to 2000 Volkswagen Golfs sold per day over 39 years. The landmark 30-millionth car rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg last week, with that particular car was a Golf TDI BlueMotion. It will be put on display for all employees to see at the Wolfsburg company’s open house.
The Volkswagen Golf has assured its safe passage through almost four decades of history by equipping itself with simple, humble, qualities like its blend of practicality and compact dimensions, but assisted with a constant evolution of technology across its seven generations.
“In many ways, the history of the Volkswagen Golf is also the history of the modern automobile. This car has continued to democratise progress. Acting as an optimum of safety, comfort and driving fun are no longer a question of money thanks to the Volkswagen Golf. And so our bestseller lives up to the Volkswagen name,” said Prof. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.
Volkswagen Golf 1 (1974 to 1983): This car marked the transition from the Beetle to the Golf. It proved to be a revolution. Air-cooled rear engined layout changed to a water-cooled front engined with front-wheel drive. The boxy design penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro replacing the round shapes of the cute Beetle.
Golf 2 (1983 to 1991): Design-wise, the second-generation Golf may have been an evolution of its predecessor, but technically, the car introduced new systems to its treasure chest, like the controlled catalytic converter (1984), ABS (1986) and all-wheel drive (1986). Marc Lichte, lead exterior designer for Volkswagen recalls: “Back then, one of the key moments in the history of the Golf was the decision by board members to further develop the styling of the Golf I and conceptualise the Golf 2. This set everything into motion, and Volkswagen created the foundation for continuous development of the model series.”
Golf 3 (1991 to 1997): In 1991, the Volkswagen Golf 3 was the first model in the series to offer front airbags in 1992. The first TDI engine of the model series was also introduced in this Golf in 1993.
Golf 4 (1997 to 2003): Styled under the supervision of the Hartmut Warkuß, the fourth-generation Golf was considered a pioneer for the series and introduced new engineering innovations and technologies such as ESC (1998) and the first generation of dual clutch gearbox (2002).
Golf 5 (2003 to 2008): Some may argue the fifth generation was the definitive Volkswagen Golf. It displayed a talent for comfort, dynamics and quality that left many a competitor behind. It was the first Golf welded by lasers and a value that illustrates the stability of the laser-welded body is the 35% gain in torsional rigidity when the Golf V made its debut in 2003. The first Golf BlueMotion (4.5 L/100 km fuel consumption) was created in 2007.
Golf 6 (2008 to 2012): The sixth generation Golf was strongly based on the five but the Volkswagen Golf 6 was so safe now that it performed with flying colours in EuroNCAP crash testing, attaining a maximum five star rating. Technology wise it was another triumph with TSI petrol engines and TDI engines that were converted to the common rail system for further improved fuel economy. The second iteration of the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion now consumed just 3.8 L/100 km.
Golf 7 (2012 – present): The current generation Golf introduced an all-new modular architecture and weight was accordingly reduced by up to 100 kg in the seventh generation Golf. Fuel consumption was reduced by as much as over 23% compared to the previous equivalent model. The forerunner of this movement is the Golf TDI BlueMotion with a combined fuel consumption of just 3.2 L/100km. New systems like PreCrash; preventive occupant protection and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, et al, continue to improve the Volkswagen Golf’s safety record.
It too has garnered a vast array of Car of the Year awards since its launch, including 2013 European and World Car of the Year. Here’s to 30-million more Volkswagen Golfs in the future.
