Successor to Volkswagen's iconic Beetle, the first generation Golf debuted in Europe in May 1974 with styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign.
By the early 1970s, Volkswagen had fallen into financial difficulties and Beetle sales began to decline sharply. Replacing the Beetle was vital for the company's continued survival.
The solution had arrived with Auto Union. They had attracted a small following with their technologically advanced Audi front-wheel drive medium sedans. Volkswagen had acquired the Ingolstadt-based company in 1964 from Daimler-Benz. Audi's expertise in water-cooled engines and front-wheel drive would be essential in developing a new generation of Volkswagens. The Audi technology in the Golf would regain for Volkswagen the engineering lead over rear-drive cars that Ferdinand Porsche had bestowed on the original Beetle over its large conventional peers. The small Golf had to succeed in replacing the high-volume Volkswagen coupe. The upmarket Dasher/Passat would be VW's first front-wheel-drive car, and it was relatively well received for its lower volume market. Work on the Golf began in 1969, shortly after Kurt Lotz became head of Volkswagen.
The first Golf (VW internal designation Type 17) began production early in 1974. It was a water-cooled, front wheel drive design in a hatchback body style. It featured firmly sprung and damped, independent MacPherson strut front suspension and semi-independent twist-beam rear suspension, that gave crisp handling and good roadholding, without being too uncomfortable. A very important model was the Golf Diesel, which appeared in late 1976 with performance very similar to that of a petrol 1100. As with the Golf GTI, the Golf Diesel more or less created a new class of car.
The Golf was designed by Italian automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, of the ItalDesign design studio. For Volkswagen Giugiaro had already done the design for the first generation Passat, and worked on the design for the first generation Scirocco concurrently with that of the Golf. For the Golf Giugiaro adopted an efficient "two-box" layout with a steep hatch rather than a formal trunk, which would be later added in the Jetta. The water-cooled engine would be mounted transversely in the front.
There was a minor facelift in 1980 which saw the adoption of larger rear lamp clusters (closer to Giugiaro's original concept), moulded black plastic bumpers, and a new dashboard with a more modern-looking instrument display featuring LED warning lights. US versions also received rectangular headlights. This was the last major update before the MK1 was replaced by the MK2 Golf in most markets in September 1983 and in the British market in March 1984.
The Golf Mk1 was West Germany's best selling new car for much of its production life, and was among the most successful cars in the whole of Europe during its nine-year production run.
The Golf was introduced to Japan in 1975, and was imported by Yanase dealerships in Japan. Its exterior dimensions and engine displacement were in compliance with Japanese Government dimension regulations, which helped sales.
When air conditioning became available as an option on the domestic market in August 1975, the option to retrofit the installation, together with a larger battery, was offered to existing owners.
A Golf powered by a normally aspirated diesel engine first appeared in September 1976. Equipping a compact car with a heavier, noisier and less powerful diesel engine was unusual in Germany at the time, with Peugeot among the few competitors offering a comparable model. The 1.5 litre Golf Diesel, which used fuel at the rate of 6.5 l/100 km (36.2 mpg‑US), was one of the most fuel-efficient compact cars of the 1970s.
The diesel engine was derived from the existing EA827 Audi petrol engine. To withstand the higher stresses imposed by the diesel conversion, many engine components, including the cooling system, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons and piston pins, cylinder head and timing belt, were reinforced or otherwise redesigned. Swirl chambers were added to the cylinder head. In the place previously occupied by the ignition distributor was a vacuum pump for the brake booster. The diesel injection pump was driven by the camshaft drive belt. The diesel engine was no larger than the 1.5-litre gasoline engine.
Early diesel engines had a displacement of 1.5 liters and developed 37 kW (49.6 hp), while later engines displaced 1.6 liters and developed 40 kW (53.6 hp). The noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics of the early diesels were still unsatisfactory. When the turbocharged 70 hp diesel engine appeared the turbo not only boosted the power output but dampened engine noise as well.
A sports-oriented variant of the Golf called the Golf GTI was introduced in March 1975 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The GTI was powered by 1588 cc and 1780 cc four-cylinder engines fed by Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which helped them develop a respectable 110 & 115PS (80 kW) @ 6100 rpm and 140 N⋅m (103.3 lb⋅ft) of torque @ 5000 rpm. With a curb weight of just 810 kg (1,785.7 lb), the GTI could accelerate 0-60 mph in 9 seconds. Top speed was 180 km/h (111.8 mph).
The 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI is closely associated with the "hot hatch" class of sporty small cars of the 1970s and early 1980s, but the Golf GTI was not the first hot hatch. Other cars with some of all of the characteristics of this class included the 1971 Autobianchi A112 Abarth and the 1967 Simca 1100 Ti. The GTI's competition included a number of small saloons, including the Ford Escort RS2000. When the Escort switched to front-wheel drive for the third generation model in 1980, Ford launched an XR3 model which was comparable to the Golf GTI in design and performance.
Volkswagen initially built the GTI only for the home market of West Germany, but launched it onto the British market in 1977 as special order only in left-hand drive form, with a factory right-hand drive version finally becoming available in July 1979 priced at £4705 as demand and competition increased. The standard Golf had been on sale in Britain in right-hand drive form since late 1974. The Rabbit GTI didn't arrive in the United States until the 1983 model year.
The Golf GTI was among the first "hot hatches" with mass market appeal, and many other manufacturers subsequently created special sports models of their regular volume-selling small hatchbacks. Within a few years of its launch, it faced competitors including the Fiat Ritmo, Ford Escort XR3/XR3i, Renault 5 GT Turbo and Vauxhall Astra/Opel Kadett GTE.
The GTI became available with right-hand drive in July 1979 priced at £4705 (compared to £3935 for the 1460cc 70 hp GLS and £4149 for the competitor Renault 5 Gordini), when more than 1,500 examples were sold. Although the subsequent recession saw new car sales fall considerably during 1980 and 1981, sales of the Golf GTI reached nearly 5,000 in 1981. This also came in spite of the arrival of a popular new British-built competitor - the Ford Escort XR3. By 1983, the GTI accounted for more than 25% of total Golf sales (some 7,000 cars) In 2004, Sports Car International declared the Golf Mk1 GTI to be the 3rd best car of the 1980s.
Presented at the March 1982 Geneva Motor Show, the Golf GTD combined performance and economy. The car's appearance package and suspension were based on the Mk1 Golf GTI. The engine was a version of the 827 model diesel, with power boosted by the addition of a turbocharger system. To increase the performance of the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated diesel, the GTD was equipped with a Garrett turbocharger with a maximum boost of 0.7 bar (10.2 psi), which raised power output to 51 kW (68.4 hp) and a maximum torque of 130 N⋅m (95.9 lbf⋅ft) at 2600 rpm from the 40 kW (53.6 hp) and 98 N⋅m (72.3 lbf⋅ft) at 2300 rpm of the naturally aspirated engine. To make this power increase possible, more than 30 changes to the base engine were made, including increased oil circulation, a more efficient oil pump and reinforced or higher quality components. Due to the increased thermal load on the pistons, they were cooled from below by means of oil jets, and the engine was equipped with an oil-to-water heat exchanger on the flange of the oil filter element.
The turbo engine weighed about 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) more than the naturally aspirated engine, and once all the accessories were factored in weight grew by 18 kg (39.7 lb). Average fuel consumption of less than 6 l/100 km (39.2 mpg‑US) was possible.
The convertible version, named the Golf Cabriolet (or Typ 155) in Europe and Canada ("Rabbit Convertible" in America originally and renamed in 1985 to "Cabriolet"), was sold from 1980 to 1993. It had a reinforced body, transverse roll bar, and a high level of trim, and kept the pre-1980 style of rear lamp clusters. The Mk1 Cabriolet is of unibody construction built entirely at the factory of Karmann, from stamping to final assembly; Volkswagen supplied the engine, suspension, interior, etc. for Karmann to install. The vinyl or cloth tops were heavily insulated and manually - or beginning in 1991, electrically - operated, with a heated glass rear window.
The body of the Cabriolet did not change through the entire production run except for a larger fuel tank. The space saver wheel was fitted from the outset in 1978, when pre-production models were built, unlike the saloon which adopted this in 1984. In an attempt by Volkswagen to keep the car's styling current, all Cabriolets from 1988 on were fitted with a "Clipper" kit out of the factory, featuring smooth body-coloured bumpers, wheelarch extensions, and side skirts.
Prior to the 1984 model year the highest standard specification was the GLI, essentially a GTI but sporting a different moniker. It was only in late 1983 with the introduction of the 1984 model that an officially badged GTI version of the cabriolet finally became available.
There were a few special editions of the Cabriolet including the Etienne Aigner, Carat, CC, Wolfsburg, and Best Seller editions. One of them was produced in Italy using Golf II Country engine and transmission by ACM, called "Golf Country Cabrio" and sold as "Biagini Passo".
A Golf-derived utility model with a pickup-truck style rear bed was developed for the American market. This Mk1 variant was called the Rabbit Pickup in the US, and entered production in 1978 at the Westmoreland plant. An almost identical version for Europe called the VW Caddy went into production in 1983 at the Tvornica Automobila Sarajevo (TAS) plant in Vogošća near Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Approximately 200,000 units were produced at this location until the factory was destroyed in 1992 during the Bosnian War.
In August 1979 a sedan version of the Golf called the Jetta was introduced. Essentially a Golf Mk1 with a trunk grafted on, this three-box body style was offered in two- and four-door versions and was targeted at more conservative buyers. In North America the Jetta was a sales success, but sales numbers in Europe lagged behind expectations.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk2 is a compact car, the second generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk1. It was Volkswagen's highest volume seller from 1983 and remained in (German) production until late 1992. The Mk2 was larger than the Mk1; its wheelbase grew slightly (+ 75 mm (3.0 in)), as did exterior dimensions (length + 180 mm (7.1 in), width + 55 mm (2.2 in), height + 5 mm (0.2 in)). Weight was up accordingly by about 120 kg (260 lb). Exterior design, developed in-house by VW design director Schäfer, kept the general lines of its Giugiaro-designed predecessor, but was slightly more rounded. All told, about 6.3 million second-generation Golfs were built.
The second-generation Volkswagen Golf (also known as the Typ 19E until the 1991 model year, and Typ 1G thereafter) was launched in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1983, with sales beginning in its homeland and most other left-hand drive markets soon after. It debuted in March 1984 on the right-hand drive British market, and it was introduced as a 1985 model in the US. It featured a larger bodyshell, and a wider range of engine options, including a GTD turbodiesel (in Euro markets, later using the 1.6 "umwelt" (ECO) diesel engine), a DOHC 1781 cc (1.8) 16-valve version of the straight-four GTI (as well as the tried and tested 1781cc (1.8) 8v GTI), the supercharged 8v "G60" with front- and four-wheel drive options, and a racing homologated variant of this, the "Rallye Golf". This model was meant to come to the US as well (badged as "Rallye GTI"), and prototypes were made, but it did not come to be.
The original Golf had been one of the few front-wheel drive hatchbacks on sale when launched in 1974, but within a decade almost all mainstream manufacturers had launched a Golf-like family hatchback. Ford had switched to front-wheel drive hatchback format for its MK3 Escort in 1980, soon after General Motors had adapted that concept for its latest Opel Kadett (Vauxhall Astra in Britain). Austin Rover (formerly British Leyland) did not enter the small family hatchback market until the launch of its Maestro at the beginning of 1983, although it had launched its larger Maxi hatchback as long ago as 1969 and in 1976 had taken the then unusual step of launching a hatchback bodystyle on a luxury car (the Rover SD1). Peugeot would not launch its first Golf-sized hatchback (the 309) until late 1985, but it had taken ownership of Chrysler's European division (which it renamed Talbot) in 1978, just after the launch of the Chrysler/Simca Horizon hatchback. However, the likes of Fiat, Renault and Volvo had all entered the small family hatchback market by the end of the 1970s. The hatchback bodystyle had also become popular on cars produced outside Europe, particularly on Japanese models.
In 1985, British motoring magazine What Car? awarded the Golf Mk2 1985 "Car of the Year", even though it had actually been launched on the UK market early in the previous year. It sold well in Britain, peaking at more than 50,000 sales a year by the end of the decade.
However, the Golf was overshadowed in the 1984 European Car of the Year contest, finishing third but being heavily outscored by the victorious Fiat Uno and runner-up Peugeot 205, which were similar in size to Volkswagen's smaller Polo.
This Golf was marketed for the first time with that name in the United States and Canada. The Rabbit name used on the Mk1 was meant to give a car a cuddly image, but with the 1980s redesign of the car, Carl Hahn, the former Volkswagen of America president who was now chairman of the whole company, dictated that Volkswagen model names be standardized globally. James Fuller, head of the Volkswagen brand in North America, concurred in using the Golf name to stress the car's Teutonic character. The GTI body kit became available on a non-injection Golf and was sold as the "Driver" trim level in Europe. While the GTI remained a trim level in the Golf lineup in Europe, in some markets, it was (and continues to be) marketed as a separate model line.
Volkswagen also produced their model in Yugoslavia, in a factory at Vogošća near Sarajevo, called Tvornica Automobila Sarajevo - TAS. The MK2 was produced from 1985 with a yearly production of 25,000 units until the outbreak of war in 1992. This model was produced only for the six Yugoslav republics, with a rear badge JX (which stands for less equipment than C and CL), C and CL and TAS badge on the front grille and Sarajevo city logo instead side blinkers. Engines were 1.3 (carburetor), 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel.
The MK2 Golf remained in production until the launch of the MK3 model in August 1991. Continental sales began that autumn, but the MK3 did not take over from the MK2 on the right-hand drive British market until February 1992.
The Golf Mk2 was available as a 3- and 5-door hatchback. The 2-door and 4-door sedan variants of the Golf Mk2 were marketed under the Volkswagen Jetta name. No cabriolet version was developed from the Mk2; instead, the Mk1-based convertible continued to be produced, with minor changes.
Trim levels included base, C, CL and GL and initially a range-topping Carat model (until 1986), later a GT (in 1987) version was also on offer. In North America, there was only a base model until 1986, in 1987 a GL and GT model, in 1988-1989, there were all three, and in 1990 until the end of its run there was again only a GL. The GTI model existed from 1985–1987, and again from 1990–1992, and the GTI 16v existed from 1987–1992. In Japan the range consisted of catalysed Ci/CLi/GLi models all sharing the same 1.6 or later 1.8 liter fuel-injected I4 engines. In the course of the years, a host of "limited edition" models appeared on various markets, distinguished by cosmetic changes and/or an enriched features list. Generally, these were option packages on top of a base "model" (CL, GL, etc.). Also in some countries it could be found trim level TX (Austria) and JX (Yugoslavia)
New base engine was a 1.05 litre inline four; other engine offerings included 1.3, 1.6 and 1.8 litre petrol fours and 1.6 litre naturally aspirated or turbocharged diesel engines. In North America, all Golf Mk2s had 1.8 liter petrol or 1.6 diesel engines (the GTI, while not a Golf model in North America, also had a 2.0 liter model).
The MK2 was the last version of the Golf to feature carburettor petrol engines, as all versions of the MK3 came with fuel injection from its launch, to meet requirements that all new cars sold in the EEC after 1992 must be fitted with a catalytic converter or fuel injection.
The successful Golf GTI (or, in the USA, simply "GTI") was continued with the Mk2 as a sporty 3- or 5-door hatchback. Like late Mk1 GTIs, it featured a fuel-injected 1.8 litre four developing 112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp). In 1986 (1987 for North America) a Golf GTI 16V was introduced; here the 1.8 litre engine put out 139 PS (102 kW; 137 hp) (or 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) for the catalyst version) and the model was marked by discreet red and black "16v" badges front and rear. US/Canadian GTIs were later equipped with 2.0 16 valve-engines, available in the Passat and Corrado outside North America. In 1990, like the Golf, the GTI was given a facelift, and the "Big Bumper" became standard on all GTIs. This was maintained through the rest of the Mk2 model era. In 1990 the GTi G60 was also introduced featuring the 8v 1.8 with a G60 supercharger this version is not to be confused with the very rare G60 Limited (see below).
In February 1986, Volkswagen presented the first Golf with four-wheel drive. This Golf Syncro was available as a five-door with the 1.8 engine only (90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp), later 98 PS (72 kW; 97 hp)). Its 4WD system had been developed in collaboration with Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria, and featured a viscous coupling and flexible partition of torque between front and rear axle - up to 48% to the rear. Due to its high price (in 1986, a Syncro cost about 30% more than an equivalent front wheel drive model) the model remained rare; from 1986 to 1989, for instance, just 26,000[7] Syncros were built. Fewer than 1,000 were sold on the UK market.
The four-wheel-drive system was fully automatic and minimally intrusive, also in appearance. Aside from a few discrete "Syncro" badges there was no way to tell. There were no additional gauges or buttons in the interior either. The gearing was lowered somewhat, to mask the performance losses due to the additional 160 kg (350 lb). The rear seat was moved forward 30 mm (1.2 in), and the cargo floor was raised, making the luggage compartment 25 percent smaller than in a regular Golf.
In 1989, the Rallye Golf appeared as a rallye "homologation special". Distinguishable by its box-flared wheel arches (similar to the Audi quattro, BMW E30 M3 and Lancia Delta Integrale) and rectangular projector headlamps, this model featured Syncro four-wheel drive, a cable shifted transmission and a G-supercharger 1763 cc (less than the typical 1.8L 1781 cc to meet the engine displacement rules) version of the injected 8 valve G60 1.8 litre engine.
Five thousand cars were built in Volkswagen's Brussels, Belgium, plant, priced at about DM 50,000 each (or roughly twice as much as a base Golf GTI). The Rallye Golf has 161Bhp (118 kW).
None were officially sold in the USA. Two were sent over officially for testing, with five sent over for evaluation. Volkswagen of America vice-president James Fuller was a supporter of its addition to the U.S./Canadian lineup. Fuller died in December 1988 while flying home from Germany aboard Pan Am Flight 103, when a bomb planted by Libyan terrorists exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland; this had a detrimental effect on the Rallye Golf's chances of importation to North America.
Eventually, Volkswagen of America decided that the Rallye Golf would be too expensive to offer for sale in North America, where Volkswagen was perceived as a low-cost brand.
Based on the Rallye Golf, a very limited edition Golf Mk2 variant exists, combining all of the high-line options (such as leather interior with heated and height adjustable front seats, 4 electric windows, electric mirrors, ABS, power steering and sunroof) available at the time. Designed and hand-built by the Volkswagen Motorsport division, only 71 of the "Golf G60 Limited" models were produced.
The exclusive feature package included a G60 supercharged version of the 16-valve engine, mated to a sports transmission and Syncro four-wheel drive mechanism. The cars were mainly built around a 5-door version because of the strength of a 5-door chassis (more angles), although 2, 3 door models were also produced. Externally the Limited model featured, BBS RM012 wheels in 6.5Jx15", US bumpers, a plain two-headlight grille with a unique blue detail, and a VW Motorsport logo, black VW logo, Hella tinted taillights, motorsport badges and a special numbered plaque. In 1989, these cars cost in the region of DM 68,500[9] each and were primarily sold to VAG executives and management. These cars produced 210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) 252 N⋅m (186 lb⋅ft) and accelerated from 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.4 seconds, making them the most powerful VW Golf ever produced until VW released the Mk4 R32 with 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp) in 2003.
There was also a version called Golf Country (7.735 cars), co-manufactured by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria, designed for medium off-road driving. It had more suspension travel, Syncro four-wheel drive, improved ground clearance of 21 cm, bullbars at front and rear (generally over a single headlight grille), a skid plate for protecting the engine area, sub-frame to protect the rear Syncro differential and propshaft and a spare wheel mounted externally on a swing-away triangular frame on the back.
In Europe, it was offered with the acclaimed 98 bhp (73 kW) 1.8 8v 1P petrol engine. There were also: 1500 "Country Allround" designed to appeal to a wider public, made without the electric luxuries like electric and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel and bullbar without headlight grills, in relation to a more affordable price range; 558 " Country - Chrompaket" with Chrome bullbars, Sliding sun roof, Engine and interior pre-heater and beige leather interior; and 50 "Country GTI" 114 bhp (85 kW) 1.8 GTI petrol engine, made only for Golf Country project VW-staff. The Golf Country was particularly popular in Alpine regions in central Europe.
In 1984 Volkswagen, in cooperation with RWE, released the second generation 'Golf citySTROMer, an electric version of the Mk2 Golf. It was the first electric Volkswagen to enter serial production as the Mk1 citySTROMER was only a prototype vehicle. The Mk2 citySTROMer had a range of approximately 31 mi (50 km) and used 16 gel-electrolyte batteries mounted under the cargo area and rear seats. Just 100 Mk2 citySTROMers were produced and sold for 45,000DM (~US$34,000) until production ceased in 1985. The citySTROMer name was continued in later models; the Jetta citySTROMer and the Mk3 Golf citySTROMer.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 is a small family car, the third generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk2. It was launched in mainland Europe in August 1991, in the United Kingdom in February 1992, and in North America in the spring of 1994. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and A3 Jettas) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America to reject Golfs and Jettas from Mexico; shortly thereafter labor unrest at the plant delayed production there even further. The third-generation Golf and Jetta first appeared in North America as 1993 models in the San Diego, California area and in Canada, then in the autumn in the rest of North America as 1994 models. The Mk3 Cabrio replaced the Volkswagen Cabriolet, which continued the original Golf until 1993, although the original Golf, sold as Rabbit in the United States and Canada ceased sales in 1984. The Mk3 Cabrio continued until the 2002 model year, when Volkswagen replaced it with a convertible version of the Volkswagen New Beetle. The Mk3 was sold in Japan alongside the Polo, where both vehicles were in compliance with Japanese Government dimension regulations that encouraged sales. A 1993 UK advert featured the Bluebells song Young At Heart which resulted in a 4-week spell at Number 1 thanks to the popularity of it.
For the first time, an estate was produced, being launched in early 1994 and bringing it into line with key competitors such as the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra which had long been available as estates. The GT variants included a 2.8LVR6 engine, and a convertible launched as the Cabrio (Typ 1E).
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Cabrio (or Typ 1E) was introduced in 1994 for the 1995 model year, replacing the previous MK1 Rabbit based Cabriolet. It was facelifted in 1998 (mid 1999 for non-euro markets) with the front, rear, and steering wheel styling from the Golf Mk4 while still maintaining the body from the Mk3 Cabrio. These Cabrios are often referred to as the Mk3.5 Cabrios. The Volkswagen Golf Cabrio was discontinued in 2002 with a special edition called "Last Edition".
Volkswagen produced a limited quantity of 1000 special-edition 3 and 5-door GTI Anniversary models, celebrating 20 years of the GTI model. This had the usual GTI specification but came equipped with special chequered Recaro front sport seats and matching rear seats bearing the GTI logo, red seat belts front and rear, half-chromed and leather golf ball gear knob, red stitched leather steering wheel and handbrake gaiter. The release knob on the hand brake was also red and silver instrument dials. Floor mats also had red piping along their edges. The red theme continued externally with a red striping on the bumpers and red brake calipers. The wheels were 16" x 7" split rim BBS RS 722 alloys, visually similar to the 15" that were found on VR6 model. Brush stainless steel rear twin tailpipes on the exhaust and smoked front fog and indicator lamps to match the rear lamps. 3 optional extras were made available; electric sunroof, air conditioning and metallic black paintwork. Insurance was based on the standard GTI which made this version a very desirable model. The edition was sold in only 6 colour schemes and the 1000 number figures that were produced was as follows; 600 8 valve models, 150 16 valve models and 250 TDI models. The diesel model was only produced for the European market and was not sold in the UK. Unfortunately many of the models fell into the UK company car and lease market prior to the second-hand market and its believed only a few hundred still survive. However, another factor in the rarity of Mark 3 Golfs, unlike the excellent build quality of the Mark 2, at least in the UK, is the very low quality steel sourced by VW on some occasions, and used across the range, from entry model to VR6. According to independent mechanics and parts specialists, and MOT testers, the floorpan, both door sills, and rear hatch can suffer severe rot and disintegration, and anybody planning to buy one is advised to check for rot, and holes and patches to the floorpan.
A59
Although a failed project, this should have been the highest performance, 4WD model with a 275HP turbocharged 1998cc engine, carbon fiber and kevlar shell, and a full roll cage. It was supposed to be able to win the World Rally championship in 1994. The prototype can be seen at the Volkswagen museum.
Otmar Alt
This was a limited edition where only 1000 cars were built. They featured various artworks of the artist Otmar Alt, and also a fully customized interior with the same graphics.
Rabbit
Golf 3 Rabbit Edition was exclusive to Austria and it featured a special rabbit badge.
Cool
It just featured a "Cool" sticker, just like Avenue, and other minor design changes.
City Stromer
It was an alternative electric powered version of the Golf 3, which also featured colorful graphics on the side panels.
Highline
As the name suggests, this was the high end, premium version of the Golf 3, and it shows that with a full leather interior, wood accents and a "Highline" sticker on the trunk.
Coast
It was a Cabrio-exclusive limited edition and it featured the "Coast" graphic on the trunk.
Sport
Just like the name, it was the sporty version of the Golf 4, which also featured a "Sport Edition" sticker.
Classic
It had an overall retro look and a "Classic Edition" silicon badge.
Limited
Just like the "Edition" edition of the Golf 4 Variant, it came packed with special features and the "Limited Editon" graphic on the inside step with a similar font.
GTI/VR6 Edition
They featured their respective bodykit, "GTI/VR6 Edition" badges on the side and the GTI Editon also featured a sticked on the rear quater panel that matches the font from the seats.
Kamei
"Kamei Edition" was a limited edition made by the Wolfsburg-based aftermarket body parts manufacturer Kamei. It had the full Kamei kit and a "Kamei Edition" badge on the grille, offset to the right side.
Ryder
It featured small design changes, bit did not have a sunroof.
Driver
This regular Golf 3 received the GTI bodykit, together with the "Orlando" alloy rims and a small trunk spoiler.
Match
This version came pre-packed with a Sony CD player, power steering, 6 spoke rims and "Match" graphics.
Color Concept
Was a highly limited edition made in only 5 colors and a few of each produced. They featured a leather interior matching the outside color and the Color Concept badge.
Family
It was just the regular Golf MK3, but only with a custom sticker and a few other minor differeces.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (codenamed Typ 1K) is a compact car, the fifth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. Built on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform, it was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. A compact MPV version of the car was produced as the Golf Plus.
The fifth generation had revised suspension changes and chassis tuning and increased cargo volume corresponding to a minor increase in size over the outgoing model. Its cargo volume is roughly 0.7 cubic feet (20 L) more.
Its replacement, the Mk6, was moved forward from the previously stated 2009 in Europe to the autumn of 2008, right after its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2008.
Options for engines and transmissions vary from country to country, but the Golf Mk5 is available with 4-cylinder, 5-cylinder, and 6-cylinder petrol engines, and a new Pumpe Duse unit injector Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. Transmission options include manual, automatic, Tiptronic, and Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG).
The GTI comes with VW's 4-cylinder 2.0L Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) which makes 200 PS (147 kW; 197 bhp) and 280 N⋅m (207 lbf⋅ft) torque. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG.
In September 2005, the Golf Mk5 GT was announced, which featured a choice of either 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger (TSI) configuration, or a 2.0 litre TDI. Both are available as 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) versions; while the diesel also is available as a 140 PS (103 kW; 138 bhp) variant in the UK. The 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) diesel has 350 N⋅m (258 lbf⋅ft) of torque, which is more than the range topping R32.
The new Twincharger (TSI) petrol engine uses Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), along with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single supercharger that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single turbocharger. This system benefits from the pumping efficiency of the supercharger at lower revs and the fuel efficiency of the turbocharger at high revs. This results in more constant power delivery through the rev range, and better fuel efficiency. Both petrol and diesel versions are also available with DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox). Performance figures for the petrol vehicle are 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9s (6 speed) and 6.9s (DSG), with the diesel taking 8.2s, and both reaching top speed of 220 km/h (136.7 mph).
United States and Canada base specification Rabbits use the same 2.5L five-cylinder gasoline engine that powers the Jetta and New Beetle in these markets, making 150 hp (110 kW) and 170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m) in 2006-2007 models, and 170 hp (130 kW) and 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m) from 2008 onward. North American transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic for the Rabbit. Diesel engines have been unavailable on Rabbits, though they were offered through 2006 on the Jetta until tightening emissions regulations in the U.S. led to their temporary unavailability.
Volkswagen has no plans to sell the GT version in the US or Canada, though the VR6-powered R32 range-topping model was available.
Volkswagen marketed the three-box sedan variant of the Mk5 Golf in 2004, as the Jetta in North America and Europe, replacing the "Bora" name of the previous Mk320 Golf saloon. The Jetta name was also introduced to Australia with the Mk5.
As with its predecessor the Mk5 Jetta features unique front wings, front doors and rear doors, so the only external panel shared with the Golf hatchback is the bonnet. As with all Golf-based saloons, the Jetta features a unique chrome grille, and its GLI variant has the Golf GTI's front end. Front lights were now shared with the Golf.
In the US market, the Jetta outsells the Golf by a ratio of 4 to 1.
There was no Cabriolet (convertible) version of the Golf Mk5, so the Volkswagen Eos coupé convertible (introduced in Spring 2006) was marketed as a separate model, and the New Beetle convertible makes a Golf Cabrio redundant. The Eos does not share body panels with any other Volkswagen model, although it is based on the A5 Golf/Jetta platform.
In December 2004, Volkswagen announced the Golf Plus variant of the Golf Mk5. It is 95 mm (3.74 in) taller than the standard Golf, and 150 mm (5.91 in) shorter than the other compact MPV of the marque, the seven-seater Volkswagen Touran.
At the 2006 Paris Motor Show Volkswagen released the CrossGolf version, which is essentially a version of the Golf Plus with crossover-style body elements. It was developed by the Volkswagen Individual division, which also developed the Golf R32 and the Volkswagen CrossPolo. The CrossGolf is only available in front-wheel drive configuration (like the CrossPolo), and is powered by two petrol engines, 1.6 and 1.4 TSI, and two diesel engines, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI, with outputs ranging from 102 PS (75 kW; 101 bhp) to 140 PS (103 kW; 138 bhp). In the UK this model is badged as "Golf Plus Dune" and sold with the 1.9 TDI outputting 105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp).
In December 2008, the facelifted version was revealed at the Bologna Motor Show, featuring a revised front end, more similar to the Volkswagen Golf Mk6, but retaining a largely similar design of the rear end and the interior.
The Golf Mk5 GT features a choice of either 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger (TSI) configuration, or a 2.0 litre TDI diesel engine.plus a 2.0 (fsi) direct injection petrol engine has 150 bhp. TSI petrol and diesels are available as 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) versions. The 125kW diesel engine has 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) of torque, which is more than the range topping R32. The petrol engined offering contains the new TSI engine, which is based on the recent Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), but with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single supercharger that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single turbocharger. This system benefits from both of the efficiency of the supercharger in the lower rev ranges, with the longevity of the turbocharger higher in the rev range. This results in little turbo lag, constant power delivery along the rev range, and better fuel efficiency than similarly powered 2.4 L V6 engine due to its small size. However, the power delivery of the petrol TSI engine was criticised as being very jerky by Jeremy Clarkson.
In the UK the GT sport badge was marketed as offering both high power and low emissions, sparking some controversy. The 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) diesel offers 156g/km and returns 47.9 mpg combined with the petrol equivalent offering 175g/km and 38.2 mpg[13] respectively.
Both petrol and diesel versions are also available with Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG). Performance figures for the petrol vehicle are 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds (6-speed manual) and 7.7 seconds (DSG), with the diesel taking 8.2 seconds, and both reaching top speed of 220 km/h (136.7 mph).
The Golf GT features the same brakes as the Golf GTI, with 312 mm (12.3 in) ventilated front discs, and 286 mm (11.3 in) solid rears. It has also 15 mm (0.59 in) lowered suspension, which lowers its centre of gravity, it borrows the GTI's suspension/damper settings, uses 7Jx17" "ClassiXs" alloy wheels fitted with wide 225/45 R17 tyres, and has twin exhaust outlets.
The Golf GTI features a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder petrol engine with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) direct-injection technology, which produces 200PS (147 kW/197 bhp). It is available in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback body shapes, and comes with a choice of either 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) which greatly reduces shift time to only 8ms.
The concept GTI was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The first production model was initially unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris in September 2004, and went on sale around the world shortly thereafter. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006, the GTI made its long-awaited North American debut in 3-door guise (a 5-door variant was eventually made available), where it is marketed solely under the 'GTI' moniker, with no reference to the Rabbit. The new GTI has a considerable price increase over the previous model, mainly due to the features mentioned above, and the fact that the exterior itself had not seen such a dramatic design change in years. The price is further raised because it is built in Germany, unlike the Mk4 some of which were built in Brazil. The innovative DSG transmission and the 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) TFSI engine all helped raise the retail price of the car. The Mk5 GTI was named 2007 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine, in December 2006.
This generation marked the only generation in Canada to have the GTI as a separate nameplate rather than a trim of the Golf. When Volkswagen announced the revival of the Golf in the United States & Canada for the 2010 model year, Volkswagen reverted the GTI nameplate as a Golf trim, although the GTI remains a separate nameplate in the United States.
In late September 2005, the Mk5 R32 went on sale in Europe. It features an updated 3.2-litre VR6 engine of that fitted to the previous Mk4 version, with an extra 10 PS (7 kW; 10 bhp) due to a reworked inlet manifold. Maximum power is now 250 PS (184 kW; 247 bhp) at 6,300 rpm; torque is unchanged at 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft). It reaches an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Going from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) will take 6.5 s, reduced to 6.2 s with the Direct-Shift Gearbox.
Compared with the previous Mk4 R32, it is 0.1 seconds faster for the manual version, while the newer R32 is about 40 kg (88.2 lb) heavier. As with the previous R32; there is the Haldex Traction-based 4motion part-time four-wheel drive, now through 18" Zolder 20-spoke alloy wheels. Stopping the R32 comes in the form of blue-painted brake calipers with 345 mm (13.58 in) discs at the front and 310 mm (12.20 in) disks at the rear.
The Mk5 R32 was released in the US in August 2007.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (or VW Typ 5K) is a compact car, the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk5. It was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in October 2008. Volkswagen released pictures and information on 6 August 2008, prior to the official unveiling. The vehicle was released to the European market in the winter of 2008. Major investments have been made in production efficiency, with a claimed productivity improvement at launch of nearly 20% in comparison with the previous model, and further gains planned for the next twelve months.
Although billed as the Mk6, the new model was in effect a thoroughly re-engineered facelift of the previous model. In January 2013, it was superseded by the Volkswagen Golf Mk7.
Like its predecessor, the Mk6 Golf is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform. Effectively it is a reskin of the Mk5 rather than an all-new design, it was developed with engineering improvements to shorten the previous model's excessive assembly time, and answered criticisms of that model's cheapened interior quality compared to that of the 1999.5 Mk4.
The new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet was presented at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show. The four-seater has a soft top with an electro-hydraulic drive that opens the Golf's top in 9.5 seconds. The top can also be opened or closed during driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph). After a nine years without a convertible Golf, it was the first Cabriolet model under the Golf family since 2002.
The new VW Golf Cabriolet's styling follows that of its hard-top three-door counterpart, but it differs somewhat with a new rear section, lower profile roof line and more swept-back angle of its front windscreen frame. Bi-xenon headlights are an option. Unlike the regular Golf, the Cabriolet has LED rear lights, which are only available for the R and GTI versions of the hardtop. Safety features include the automatically deploying roll-over bar, front airbags, side head/thorax airbags, knee airbag for the driver and ESP.
There are six turbocharged direct-injection engines whose power outputs range from 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) to 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp). Four of the petrol engines (TSI) and one diesel (TDI) are available with the DSG dual-clutch gearbox; while three of the engines are available with energy-saving BlueMotion Technology.
In February 2012, Volkswagen announced that they would build a Cabriolet version of the GTI, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
As of October 2016, VW announced that the Golf cabriolet will no longer be sold in the U.K. due to financial reasons.
A facelifted variant Mk5 Golf Variant model was introduced in 2009 as the Mk6, despite carrying the front fascia, interior styling, and the drive line from the new Golf, the underpinnings are based on its fifth-generation predecessor. It is sold in the US as the Jetta SportWagen, in Mexico and Canada as the Golf Wagon and in South America as the Jetta Variant or Vento Variant.
In December 2008, a facelifted version of the Golf Plus was revealed at the Bologna Motor Show, featuring a revised front end, similar to the Golf Mk6, but still largely retaining the design of the rear end and the interior of the Mk5 based vehicle. In 2014 the Golf Plus was replaced by the MQB based Golf Sportsvan, which was originally shown as the Sportvan concept.
It is a concept car based on Golf GTI. 2.0-liter TSI engine is rated 155 kW (211 PS) with top speed of 238 km/h (148 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration of 6.9s. It includes Firespark Metallic red body with GTI stripes, high-gloss black 19-inch alloy spoke wheels, smoked LED taillight, lowered sport chassis, new sport exhaust. Interior includes aluminum tread plates, brushed aluminum trim and glossy black painted frames around the air vents, red borders floor mats, sport seats with outer black nappa and side flash red nappa with light "Berry White" leather piping.
The vehicle was unveiled at GTI Meet at Wörthersee.
There was much speculation about this vehicle, with uncertainty surrounding its name. Golf R20 was the most common name used prior to the Frankfurt Motor Show. Once finally unveiled by Volkswagen at the Frankfurt IAA, on 15 September 2009, it was confirmed the R32 replacement would simply be called the Golf R.
The Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre FSI turbocharged engine that produces 199 kW (271 PS) and 350 N⋅m (260 lb⋅ft) of torque. VW claims the car can get from 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds for DSG equipped models, or 5.7 seconds for cars fitted with a manual gearbox.
The Golf R features these main upgrades over the standard FSI EA113 engine:
Lower compression forged pistons
Strengthened connecting rods
Enlarged wrist pins
Stronger piston rings
Upgraded bearings
Reinforced engine block
Upgraded camshafts (longer duration)
Upgraded injectors (+13% flow)
Larger K04 turbo producing 1.2 bar of boost (+3 PSI over K03 equipped GTI)
Larger intercooler (+30%)
Relocated bypass valve
The Golf R employs a familiar, but revised (5th-generation) Haldex 4motion all-wheel drive system.
The Golf R has many similar styling traits to its Scirocco R sibling and is the first Golf to have LED rear tail lights factory fitted.
In Australia, Japan and South Africa the Golf R engine is detuned to suit hotter climate conditions. It is detuned from 199 kW (271 PS; 267 bhp) to 188 kW (256 PS; 252 bhp) and 350 N⋅m (260 lb⋅ft) to 330 N⋅m (240 lb⋅ft).
On 9 December 2010, Volkswagen announced that the Golf R will be available in the United States beginning in 2012. Both two- and four-door versions were offered, and the DSG transmission was not an option. The US version Golf R features a slightly detuned engine producing 191 kW (256 hp) and 243 lb⋅ft (329 N⋅m). The base price for the Golf R was $33,900 plus destination.
On 14 December 2010, Volkswagen announced that the Golf R will be available in Canada beginning in "early" 2012. Only a four-door version with six-speed manual transmission was offered. Four colours of the GTI were offered plus the R-exclusive "Rising Blue". All options were standard including navigation, sun roof, leather interior, and "Kessy" keyless entry.
The North American versions shipped with incandescent tail lights, identical to the tail lights found on the GTI, instead of the LED tail lights used in the rest of the world.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (also known as the Golf VII) is a compact car, the seventh generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk6. It was announced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. Cars reached Volkswagen dealers in the Golf's European domestic market on 10 November 2012.
The Golf Mk7 uses the same MQB platform as the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. At its introduction in 2013, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award, the first time it was awarded to a European product.
On 10 November 2016, VW presented a facelift of the Golf Mk7.
Compared to the previous generation, the Golf Mk7 has a roomier cabin, with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, rear legroom and boot space. It is 20 mm broader than the Mk6 and the wheelbase is 59 mm longer.
First series production Volkswagen with Proactive Occupant Protection (similar to Mercedes-Benz Pre-Safe), which will close the windows and retract the safety belts to remove excess slack if the potential for a forward crash is detected. Seat belt retraction in crash situation was also a feature on the mk6 for the front two seat belts. The front two belts would retract if it was buckled in, however if the occupant is relatively light, the seat belt would be gradually extended in a forward crash situation.
First series production Volkswagen with multi-collision brake system to automatically brake the car after an accident in order to avoid a second collision.
adaptive cruise control (optional)
collision avoidance system (Front Assist) with City Emergency Braking (optional)
lane-keeping assistant (optional)
driver fatigue detection (optional)
traffic sign recognition (optional)
automatic parking system (optional)
Engine options at launch include 1.2 and 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol engines, with 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) and 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) respectively, and 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel engines, with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) respectively. The 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Concept has a theoretical combined fuel consumption of 3.2 l/100 km (88 mpg‑imp; 74 mpg‑US) and anticipated 85 g/km CO2 emissions.
Available body styles are three and five door hatchbacks (including high-performance Golf GTI and Golf R models), a five-door estate (known as the Sportwagen in the United States, first advertised in May 2015), and a five-door Golf SV (which replaces the Golf Plus)
At launch in the US market, Volkswagen also offered the Golf Sport model. About 650 of these SE four-door models were built, equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. Offered in either Pure White or Platinum Gray, the Sport model is visually enhanced with a striking bodykit that includes a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear valence, a larger rear spoiler, and chrome exhaust tips.
Variants to be introduced later include a five-door Golf CC liftback, and two-door cabriolet. The Golf went on sale in the UK in early January and was released in Australia in April 2013.
In Brazil, the Golf Mk7 went on sale in September 2013, only in the Highline and GTI trims, along with the Comfortline trim, which was made available from March 2014. All models were imported from Germany.
VW confirmed that models from August 2014 on will be imported from Mexico, from the VW Puebla factory. As of 2015, the VW Golf MK7 and Estate MK7 is made in Puebla, Mexico. However, starting in 2019, all new Golfs will be made in the Wolfsburg plant.
The Golf line is available in all the relevant drive systems: the Golf TSI, including GTI, is petrol-powered; Golf TDI, including GTD, is diesel-powered; the Golf TGI is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG); the e-Golf is powered by electricity; and Golf GTE is a plug-in hybrid. The use of a modular transverse matrix assembly kit enables the manufacturing of Golf models with gasoline, diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid drives from bumper to bumper at Volkswagen factories. Retail deliveries of the e-Golf in Germany are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2014. U.S. sales are slated to start on selected markets during the fourth quarter of 2014. The Golf GTE will be launched also in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Based on the VW Sportvan concept shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and sold as the Sportsvan in many markets,[29] it uses the VW Group MQB platform shared by many of Volkswagen's range and is assembled at the manufacturer's Wolfsburg plant alongside the standard Golf sedan/saloon (but not with the "Variant" estate version of the Golf, which is produced in a separate plant). The Golf SV is the third variant of the seventh-generation Golf, alongside the hatchback and the Estate, and has a look that clearly follows the design of its siblings, with strong elements of Volkswagen’s design ‘DNA’. At 4,338 mm long, the new SV is 134 mm longer than the Golf Plus that it replaces, 83 mm longer than the Golf hatchback, and 224 mm shorter than the Golf Estate.
Compared with the boot of its predecessor, capacity is increased by 76 litres to 500 litres with the back seats at their rear-most position (versus the Golf’s 380 litres and the Estate’s 605 litres). Moving the rear seats forwards increases the luggage capacity to 590 litres, while folding the rear seats liberates up to 1,520 litres of room. The front passenger seat can also optionally fold fully forward, creating a load space which is up to 2,484 mm long.
Like the Golf, the Golf SV comes with many standard and optional safety systems. These include a standard automatic post-collision braking system, which automatically brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy significantly and thus minimise the chance of a second impact, and a PreCrash system (Proactive Occupant Protection) which, on detecting the possibility of an accident, pre-tensions seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof, leaving just a small gap, to ensure the best possible protection from the airbags.
A first for the Golf SV is a blind spot monitor, dubbed Side Scan, with an assistant for exiting parking spaces. This monitors the area behind and to the sides of the vehicle, ensuring easier and safer egress when reversing from a parking bay. It will be packaged as an option together with Lane Assist.
Powering the SV is a range of petrol and diesel engines, all of which incorporate Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems. There are two turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engines with 85 and 110 PS; two 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines with 125 and 150 PS; and three turbodiesels: a 2.0-litre 150 PS, a 1.6-litre 90 PS and a 1.6-litre 110 PS. When fitted in the Golf SV BlueMotion, this last engine is expected to return fuel economy of 76.3 mpg and emit 95 g/km of CO2. All engines apart from the 1.2-litre TSI 85 PS can be ordered with a DSG gearbox.
Like the Golf hatchback, the Golf Estate – marketed as the SportWagen in the United States and Canada – is available in S, SE and GT (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline in Canada) (GT is SEL in the USA) trim levels.
The Golf Estate’s loadspace volume has been expanded from the 505 litres of its predecessor to 605 litres (loaded up to the back seat backrest), versus the 380 litres of the Golf hatchback. Loaded up to the front seat backrests and under the roof, the new Golf Estate offers a cargo volume of 1,620 litres (versus the 1,495 litres of the Golf Estate Mk VI). The rear seat backrests can be folded remotely via a release in the boot.
Four petrol engines and three diesel engines are available, ranging from 85-140 PS in the petrol and 90-150 PS for the diesel engines.
For the first time, the Golf Estate will also be available as a ‘full’ BlueMotion model (with other modifications including revised aerodynamics). This model uses a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 110 PS, has a six-speed manual gearbox, and is expected to achieve a combined fuel consumption of just 85.6 mpg (equivalent to 87 g/km of CO2).
Like the Golf hatchback, the new Golf Estate is based on the MQB platform (both have the same wheelbase).
Volkswagen have announced the upcoming launch of a Golf Estate R, using the same EA888 2.0 engine found in the MkVII Golf R hatchback.
The Golf Variant is also built as a rugged version called 'Alltrack' with slightly-raised suspension, body cladding, and all-wheel drive.
The production version of the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. According to VW the e-Golf has a practical all-electric range of 130 to 190 km (81 to 118 mi), with an official NEDC cycle of 190 km (120 mi), and the winter range is expected to be 80 to 120 km (50 to 75 mi). In October 2014, the EPA announced the 2015 e-Golf has a range of 83 mi (134 km), and combined city/highway efficiency of 116 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe). Production of vehicles destined for retail customers began in March 2014.
On 14 February 2014, Volkswagen launched sales of the e-Golf in Germany, with pricing starting at €34,900 (~US$47,800). On 11 March 2014, Volkswagen opened ordering for the e-Golf in the UK, and announced pricing of GB£30,845. UK deliveries began at the end of June. In April 2014, Volkswagen announced that the U.S. version of the 2015 e-Golf would not have a liquid-cooled battery pack because strict testing showed high ambient temperatures did not affect battery performance.
In Norway, the e-Golf became available for pre-order on 25 February 2014 for delivery in June 2014. Over 1,300 cars were ordered that same day. By 3 March 2014, nearly 2,000 cars had been pre-ordered. Prices range from 251,800 kr (~US$42,000) for the basic model to 302,000 kr (~US$50,000) with all available options, comparable to the cheapest petrol and diesel models. The VW e-Golf was the top selling plug-in electric car in July 2014 with 391 units sold and representing 34.4% of the Golf nameplate sales (1,136), which was Norway's top selling new car that month. The e-Golf was again the top selling electric car in August 2014 with 467 units sold, representing 43.4% of the Golf nameplate sales that month (1,075). In two months and a half a total of 925 Volkswagen e-Golf cars have been sold in Norway, surpassing initial Model S sales which delivered 805 units during its first two months in the Norwegian market. A total of 1,358 units have been sold in Europe through August 2014.
U.S sales are slated to start in selected markets in November 2014 at a price for the SEL Premium model starting at US$35,445 before any applicable government incentives, plus US$820 destination and delivery. Volkswagen of America sold 119 units of the e-Golf during November 2014, the first full month of sales for the vehicle.
In Spain, 2015, the price of a brand-new e-Golf was at 35,500 euro.
The Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is driven by two power sources: a 1.4-litre 110 kW (150 PS) TSI direct-injection petrol engine and a 75 kW electric motor. Together, they combine to produce power of 150 kW (204 PS) and a theoretical range of 933 km (580 mi). Using the electric motor alone, the GTE is capable of speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph). With the TSI engine as well, the Golf GTE can sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds and on to 215 km/h (134 mph). Torque is a remarkable 350 Nm (258 lbs ft). The Golf GTE shares the basic powertrain hardware with the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron but the software controls are different. The Golf GTE also shares the same plug-in hybrid powertrain with the Volkswagen Passat GTE, but the Passat has a larger 9.9 kWh Li-ion battery pack.
In EV mode, the Golf GTE has an all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi). The all-electric mode can be activated at the push of a button. Under the New European Driving Cycle, combined fuel economy is 1.50 L/100 km (157 mpg‑US) equivalent. The electric power can also be saved – for example when driving to a zero-emissions zone. The 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged in around three and a half hours from a domestic mains outlet, or two and a half hours from a domestic wallbox. The battery weighs 120 kg, giving the GTE a total kerbweight of 1,520 kg.
The Golf GTE uses a six-speed DSG gearbox with a triple-clutch system specially developed for hybrid vehicles. The electric motor is integrated into the gearbox housing, while further hybrid components include power electronics and a charger. An electro-mechanical brake servo and an electric air conditioning compressor make for energy-efficient braking and air conditioning.
Inside as on the outside, the Golf GTE features blue highlights where the GTI has red. This includes stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter and seats, and a blue stripe in the tartan pattern on the sports seats. A 5.8-inch touchscreen display is standard, the 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation system with DAB radio and Bluetooth is a £1765 option, and includes bespoke functions for electric vehicles, including the ability to identify potential destinations on electric range, and electric charging points.The GTE will also feature an e-manager which allows the driver to preset vehicle charging, as well as interior cooling or heating. These functions can also be operated remotely using the Volkswagen Car-Net app on a smartphone: a three-year subscription will be included in the UK.
The first GTE units were registered in Germany in August 2014, and it was the second-best selling plug-in hybrid in Europe in 2015 with 17,282 sales.
The new GTD is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine with 184 PS. Maximum torque – the characteristic that arguably best defines the easily accessible performance of the GTD – has risen from 350 Nm (258 lbs ft) to 380 Nm (280 lbs ft) from just 1,750 rpm. The Golf R, in comparison, has 380 Nm from 1,800rpm. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 7.5 seconds, while the top speed is 227 km/h (141 mph), yet the new Golf GTD has a combined fuel consumption of 4.18 L/100 km; 56.2 mpg‑US (67.5 mpg‑imp), making for CO2 emissions of only 109 g/km. With the optional six-speed DSG, fuel consumption is 4.50 L/100 km; 52.3 mpg‑US (62.8 mpg‑imp) and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. As evidence of the progress which Volkswagen has made over the years in combining performance and economy, when the first generation Golf BlueMotion went on sale at the end of 2007, it too has the same fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
As with the GTI, a very high level of safety equipment is found as standard on the MkVII GTD.
The new GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) with 220 PS (160 kW). In the GTI Performance version, the engine’s maximum power is boosted to 230 PS (170 kW). Both GTI models develop a maximum torque of 350 N⋅m (260 lbf⋅ft). The standard GTI accelerates to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h). The GTI Performance has a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h) and takes 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h). Despite its performance, it is in insurance group 29E – five groups lower than its predecessor.
Both versions of the GTI are equipped with a Stop/Start system and fulfill the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014. With a six-speed manual gearbox, they attain the same low fuel consumption value of 47.1 mpg‑imp (6.00 L/100 km; 39.2 mpg‑US) (CO2 emissions of 139 g/km). This means that the latest Golf GTI offers an 18 per cent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous model. With the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, the two GTI models achieve fuel consumption figures of 44.1 mpg‑imp (6.41 L/100 km; 36.7 mpg‑US) (equivalent to 148 g/km CO2 for the standard GTI and 149 g/km CO2 for the GTI Performance).
Buyers who opt for the £980 Performance pack gain not just an extra 10 PS of power, but also upgraded brakes and a limited-slip differential. The front differential is a new development, dubbed VAQ. This provides more neutral and agile driving behaviour and allows higher speeds to be carried through curves. The system consists of a multi-plate coupler between the differential cage and right driveshaft, which controls locking torque electro-hydraulically. Visually, vehicles with the Performance pack are distinguished by ‘GTI’ lettering on the front brake calipers, black mirror caps, and red GTI badges on the front and rear.
As well as high performance, a high level of safety equipment comes as standard in the Golf GTI. On top of high passive safety levels – thanks in part to a passenger cell made from high- and ultra-high strength steels – active safety features include the Automatic Post-Collision Braking system, which automatically applies the vehicle brakes after an accident to reduce the chances of a second impact; the pre-crash system, which tensions seatbelts and closes windows and the sunroof if an accident is likely to improve the effectiveness of the airbags; Front Assist, which warns the driver in the event of coming too close to the vehicle in front, can prime the brakes, and operates at speeds of up to 99 mph; City Emergency Braking, which can automatically brake the vehicle at speeds below 18 mph; Automatic Distance Control, a radar-operated cruise control that maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front; and seven airbags as standard, including one for the driver’s knees.
In countries like Mexico, the GTI version is only available with the 5-door body style, with no plans to introduce the 3-door body.
Like the GTI, the Golf R is also built as a 3 or 5 door hatchback. It is powered by a newly developed version of the four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged EA888 TSI petrol engine used in the latest Golf GTI (and Audi S3), but in this application producing 300 PS (296 bhp; 206kWs for "hot climate" markets such as Australia, South Africa, Japan, USA) from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm and 380 Nm (280 lbs ft) from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. Compared to the GTI’s powerplant, the Golf R’s engine has a modified cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seats and springs, pistons, injection valves and larger intercooler and turbocharger. DSG equipped models also come with an auxiliary oil cooler on the passenger side.
Zero to 62 mph takes 5.1 seconds (versus 5.7 seconds for previous Golf R), or 4.9 seconds with optional DSG gearbox. In 3rd-party testing, it has been recorded at 4.5 seconds using Launch Control. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour (249 km/h). Despite this increased performance, a combined fuel consumption of 39.8 miles per imperial gallon (7.10 L/100 km; 33.1 mpg‑US), and CO2 emissions of 165 g/km (159 g/km DSG) make the Golf R up to 18 percent more efficient than its predecessor.
The R uses an updated, fifth-generation Haldex 4MOTION four-wheel drive system. Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle is decoupled, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Drive to the rear axle can be engaged in fractions of a second via the Haldex coupling, which is actuated by an electro-hydraulic pump. Up to 50 percent of power can be transferred to the rear axle. A brake actuated, XDS+ system mimics a limited-slip differential by applying the brakes to the wheel with the least traction, this is on both the front and rear axles.
The ride height is 20 mm lower than the standard Golf. Golf R models equipped with the optional 'DCC' (Dynamic Chassis Control), offer 3 suspension modes: 'Comfort', 'Normal', and 'Race'. Each mode adjusts the stiffness of the suspension damping, thereby offering drivers a way to change the way the vehicle responds by the push of a button. Comfort mode places the dampers in the softest setting, increasing the absorption of road imperfections allowing for a smoother and more comfortable ride. Race mode stiffens the dampers to their most aggressive setting, reducing body movements and increasing adhesion to the road for more precise high speed driving. Race mode also increases throttle response, firms up the steering for a heftier feel, and alters the shift pattern of the DSG gearbox (where fitted) as well as increases the speed of the Adaptive headlamps (AFS) response time.
On top of ESC Sport mode, as found on the GTI and GTD, which delays intervention of the electronic stability control system, the R offers the option fully to disengage the ESC, for track driving.
For the Canadian market, the optional Discovery Pro 8" infotainment system is available as part of the single option "Technology Package", while only the 6.5" Discover is available to US consumers. The Golf R comes (either standard or optional) LED tail lamps and front turn signals, 3-door version, electrically folding mirrors, spare tire and sunroof. All these features are not available to the North American version. The Golf R and e-Golf are the only Golf models available in North America still produced in Germany. Other Golf models for the North American market are now produced by Volkswagen de México in Puebla, Mexico.
A limited edition Golf R400 was rumored in August 2015. However, in April 2016, the Golf R400, was officially cancelled in favor of focusing on the Golf R.
In November 2016, Volkswagen revealed a facelifted version of the Golf MK7. This model is referred to as the "New Golf" by Volkswagen while it is often informally referred to as the Golf 7.5. A new engine was introduced along with the facelift; a 1.5 litre TSI which produces 95.6 kW (128.2 hp; 130.0 PS) or 110 kW (150 hp; 150 PS). Initially, the existing 1.4 litre TSI was available alongside this new 1.5 litre engine. The updated Golf GTI was increased from 162 kW (217 hp; 220 PS) to 169 kW (227 hp; 230 PS) in the standard car and from 169 kW (227 hp; 230 PS) to 180.2 kW (241.7 hp; 245.0 PS) with the performance pack. The Golf R similarly had its output increased from 221 kW (296 hp; 300 PS) to 228 kW (306 hp; 310 PS).
The facelift increased infotainment screen size across the range as well as adding the option for a fully digital dashboard. The rear lights now utilise LED technology as standard (including a "sweeping" indicator effect on performance models) while this technology is optional on most models for the headlights.
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