History of the Volkswagen Golf

[SUGA]

Here's a little history lesson for whoever is interested.



excerpt taken from Wikipedia

Not to be confused with Volkswagen Gol.

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates - as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada (Mk1 and Mk5), and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).

The front-wheel drive Golf was Volkswagen's first successful replacement for the air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle. Historically, it is Volkswagen's best-selling model and the world's third best-selling model, with more than 25 million built by 2007.[1]

Most production of the Golf was initially in the 3-door hatchback style.[2] Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, estate/wagon (Variant, from 1993), convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979-2002), and a Golf-derived notchback saloon/sedan, variously called Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Vento or Volkswagen Bora (from 1979). The cars have filled many market segments, from basic personal cars, to high-performance hot hatches.

The nameplate Golf derives from the German word for Gulf Stream — and the period in its history when VW named vehicles after prominent winds, including also the Passat (after the German word for Trade wind), Jetta (after Jet stream), Bora (after Bora) and Scirocco (after Sirocco).


Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf

[STOIE]

Wow 25 million and I didn't realize it was the worlds third best seller.

[V-DUB]

good read!

[Cam]

Very interesting.
I never realised there were so many sold!!

Have a read of this, its a complete listing of VW models. Guaranteed, there will be some VW's in there that you have never heard of.


http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/03...78-models.html

[Justin Fox]

Volkswagen Gulf

I always wondered why they called it "Golf". I assumed the sport as they also have the "Polo" but it's interesting that "Golf" derives from the German word for Gulf Stream:

The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the east coast of North America from Florida to Newfoundland, and the west coast of Europe. The Gulf Stream is also a significant potential source of renewable power generation.

VW named vehicles after prominent winds, including also the Passat (after the German word for Trade wind), Jetta (after Jet stream), Bora (after Bora) and Scirocco (after Sirocco).


Hot Hatch

Also worth noting is VW's involvement in the creation of the "Hot Hatch".

Hot hatch was originally an informal automotive industry term, shortened from hot hatchback, initially coined by the European motoring press, for a high-performance derivative of a car body style consisting of a three- or five-door hatchback automobile. However, 'hot hatch' is now commonly and widely accepted as a mainstream, if still informal term.

The term is more popular in Europe, due to the popularity of the hatchback configuration. Within the United States, they are commonly named sport compacts, however, this deviates from the original meaning of the 'hot hatch' terminology (because they do not adhere to the 'hatchback' body style).

Vehicles of this class are typically based on family-oriented automobiles, and are equipped with an uprated more powerful internal combustion engine, improved suspension, and may also include additional 'aerodynamic' body parts. Front-mounted petrol engines, together with front-wheel drive, is the most common powertrain layout, although diesel-powered hot hatches are also available.

The design most often considered to have started the 'hot hatch' genre is the 1977 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The original 1974 version of the Golf was in mass production and the addition of a higher performance 1.6 litre fuel injected engine, sharper handling, and sports-focussed marketing - found the birth a huge market for small, practical cars that still had excellent performance. The Golf GTI enjoyed a short run of unparalleled success, but by the early 1980s, car manufacturers worldwide were racing to market with their own alternatives. Notable big-sellers in the early days were the Peugeot 205 GTI, Ford Escort XR3i, (and Vauxhall Astra GTE in United Kingdom).

By the end of the 1980s, the hot hatch had taken its place across Europe, and was pushing into other worldwide markets.

[rayray086]

Australia missed out on so many awesome models. Mk2 Golf Rallye (1.8 supercharged AWD) and the Mk3 Golf VR6 Synchro Highline (2.9L AWD) are two that spring to mind. And in South Africa, up until last year, still had the Mk1 Golf in production, but they were badged as the Golf Citi. Has the Mk1 shape with updated lights and exterior "improvements", but the interiors were completely new and modernised.

There's just so much obscurity/utter coolness in the VW line-up that it just boggles the mind!

[mrbrossnan]

ther's so much history to Golf! what an iconic superstar!

[benough]

Australia missed out on so many awesome models. Mk2 Golf Rallye (1.8 supercharged AWD)

I know a local guy who has one in the UK and he is importing it. Can't wait!

[Thomasjames]

That is interesting to read this blog. very nice. Its really getting some history knowledge about Volkswagen.

[mir]

For me, this is one of the best VW brand videos: