50 Years of Volkswagen’s Iconic Golf: A Legacy of Innovation and Success

Eight generations of the Golf – a 50-year success story with over 37 million built.

(IN BRIEF) Volkswagen celebrates 50 years of the Golf, Europe’s most successful car, with over 37 million units sold worldwide. Since its debut in 1974, the Golf has set industry standards, introducing innovations in technology, safety, and design across its eight generations. Notably, more than 20 million Golfs have been produced at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant. The latest eighth-generation Golf features plug-in hybrid drives and AI-based voice control technology, highlighting Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) WOLFSBURG, 29-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In celebration of 50 years since Volkswagen Group (ETR: VOW3), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles, began series production of the Golf, Europe’s number one compact car, the company reflects on a half-century of unparalleled success and innovation. Since its inception, the Golf has not only dominated the European automotive market but has also secured its place as the best-selling European car in history, with over 37 million units produced worldwide.

From its debut in 1974 as the successor to the legendary Beetle, the Golf has continually evolved to meet the demands of changing times and technological advancements. With each of its eight generations, the Golf has introduced groundbreaking features and design elements that have set new standards within the automotive industry.

Key milestones include the introduction of front-wheel drive technology, the debut of the iconic Golf GTI, and advancements in safety features such as airbags and ABS. The Golf has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, setting the benchmark for compact cars around the world.

Notably, more than 20 million Golfs have been produced at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant alone, highlighting the car’s significance to both the company and its employees. Additionally, production has extended beyond Germany to eight countries worldwide, reinforcing the Golf’s status as a global phenomenon.

Golf I – A reflection of progress. Just like all following Golf generations, the first generation was also a reflection of the technical state-of-the-art and current automotive trends. And that was not just true of the ingenious use of space for the time and the vehicle’s front-wheel drive.With the first Golf GTI (1976), Volkswagen initiated the dynamic development of the compact class. The Golf D (1976) and the later Golf GTD (1982) ensured the breakthrough of diesel in the compact segment. In 1979, Volkswagen launched the Golf Cabriolet – for a time the best-selling convertible car in the world. This was like a breath of fresh air for this vehicle class, which had by then already long been known as the Golf class. A total of 6.9 million units of the first generation of the Golf, including all derivatives, were sold on all continents by 1983 – the Golf I thus proved itself to be a worthy successor to the Beetle.

Golf II – The milestone. Today’s Volkswagen Chief Designer, Andreas Mindt, sums up the most important moment in the history of the Golf: “It was the switch from Golf I to Golf II. Volkswagen’s then Chief Designer Herbert Schäfer did everything right there. He modernised the second Golf but kept the DNA of the first generation. This bridge is extremely important for the Golf’s history. The Golf has always remained a further development of this original model. That is the special thing about the Golf, and the credit for this belongs to Herbert Schäfer.” Technologies such as the controlled catalytic converter, ABS and all-wheel drive made their debut in the Golf II. A total of 6.3 million Golf II cars were built between 1983 and 1991.

Golf III – Safety first. From August 1991, Volkswagen kick-started a new era of safety with the Golf III. This was the product line’s first model available with front airbags from 1992, and great progress in the area of body design also led to significant improvements in its crash properties. A number of the product line’s other milestones are associated with the Golf III, which had been built 4.8 million times by 1997: for example, the first six-cylinder engine (VR6), cruise control system and the first side airbags. For the first time, this Golf was also available as an estate model.

Golf IV – The style icon The Golf IV presented in 1997 is today considered to be a style icon – no doubt also due to the fact that it bridged the gap to the Golf I from 1974 with its clear features and the striking C-pillar design of the product line. With the Golf IV, Volkswagen achieved a new standard of quality within the segment. In parallel, the debut of ESP made a further contribution to making safety available to the masses. In 2002, Volkswagen also presented the sportiest Golf to date on the basis of the fourth generation: the R32 with a top speed of 250 km/h. In 2003, this was the first Volkswagen to receive a direct shift gearbox (DSG). The Golf IV was replaced in the same year after 4.9 million units built.

Golf V – Class limits abolished. With its outstanding comfort, the fifth Golf – which was launched in 2003 – was miles ahead of many competitors in the upper mid-sized class. The same was true for quality. A value that underlined the stability of the laser-welded body was the 35-per-cent increase in torsional rigidity. For the first time, up to eight protective airbags were also on board. In addition, the Golf V, which had been built 3.4 million times by 2008, impressed with a new four-link rear suspension, bi-xenon headlights and the first 7-speed DSG.

Golf VI – High-tech compact class. By the end of July 2012, a further 3.6 million Golfs had been produced in only four years on the basis of the sixth generation that was introduced in 2008. And safety once again took a great leap forward: the again laser-welded body was so stable that it scored the maximum of five stars with flying colours in the Euro NCAP crash test. New technologies such as Light Assist (advanced main-beam control), Park Assist, Hill Start Assist and adaptive chassis control (DCC) made the 2009 ‘World Car of the Year’ one of the most advanced compact cars of its time.

Golf VII – Less weight, less consumption. In September 2012, Volkswagen celebrated the world premiere of the seventh Golf. Its weight was reduced by up to 100 kg compared with its predecessor, which meant that fuel consumption was also reduced by up to 23 per cent. New technologies such as the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Front Assist including City Emergency Braking System rounded off the range of assist systems. In 2014, Volkswagen set its course for the era of electric mobility with the new e-Golf. A total of 6.3 million Golf VII cars were produced up to 2019.

Golf VIII – The progressive modern era. Volkswagen presented the Golf VIII in October 2019. With its new mild and plug-in hybrid drives, it electrified the compact class. And as one of the first compact cars, it enabled assisted driving by means of Travel Assist. Even the entry-level version today has features such as Lane Assist, Front Assist, LED headlights, LED tail light clusters and automatic air conditioner on board as standard. In combination with the optional adaptive chassis control DCC and the vehicle dynamics manager, the Golf VIII also achieves an unprecedented spread between comfort and dynamics in this class. More than one million units have been sold so far.

Looking towards the future, Volkswagen continues to build on the Golf’s legacy with the introduction of the latest evolutionary stage of the eighth generation. Featuring plug-in hybrid drives with an extended all-electric range of over 100 kilometers and advanced AI-based voice control technology, the new Golf exemplifies Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

As Volkswagen celebrates 50 years of the Golf, the company reaffirms its dedication to delivering cutting-edge technology, unparalleled quality, and driving experiences that captivate customers around the world.

Media contacts:

Nina Krake-Thiemann
Spokesperson Sales, Marketing and After Sales
Tel. +49 (0) 152 06262625

Bernd Schröder
Spokesperson Tiguan I Tayron I Golf | Quality | Safety
Tel. +49 (0) 160 93906364

SOURCE: Volkswagen Group