It was an automotive revolution when Volkswagen presented the first Golf and thus the successor to the legendary Beetle in 1974: with front-wheel drive (instead of rear engine) and a variable overall concept thanks to the large trunk lid and folding rear seat backrest. In addition, the straight-line design created by Giorgetto Giugiaro helped Volkswagen adopt a new style, which was also continued in its successors. The Golf quickly became a true “Volkswagen,” and the first million units were sold as early as 1976. More than 37 million vehicles have been delivered to date. This makes the compact car the most successful European car, the best-selling Volkswagen of all time – and an icon.
No matter which generation – the secret of success was and still is the sum of all its characteristics. This is because the Golf has always been a perfect companion for everyday life, embodying versatility, functionality, reliability and quality. Over the decades, the portfolio has been expanded to include further variants: whether Golf GTI, Golf Cabriolet or Golf Variant, or many others. With each new model generation, state-of-the-art technologies, safety concepts and convenience features have been incorporated into the compact class. The Volkswagen Golf has thus democratized not just technologies such as the monitored catalytic converter and anti-lock braking system, but also airbags, cruise control and electronic assist systems as well as mild and plug-in hybrid drives.
In the anniversary year 2024, Volkswagen will present the evolutionary development of the eighth Golf generation. It will impress with visually refined features, new assist systems and powertrains, and also next-generation infotainment systems and software. The world premiere of the new Golf is just a few weeks away, with pre-sales scheduled for spring 2024.
From January 31 to February 4, 2024, the Golf Generations I to VII will enhance Volkswagen France’s presence at the “Salon Rétromobile” show in Paris. After that Volkswagen will show a Golf I and the unique EA 276 concept car – the Golf predecessor from 1969 developed in Wolfsburg – at the Bremen Classic Motorshow.
I don’t know, I think your Golf looks a lot like my 1982 Rabbit. I loved that little car, put over 250,000 miles on it. It was a diesel so I got great gas milage while commuting from Riverside to Los Angeles.
My mom bought a new VW Rabbit in 1980; it was hard to miss in its school bus yellow coat. My wife bought it from her a few years later and was convinced her new mother-in-law put a curse on it cause it spent so much time in the shop. Most unreliable car she’s ever owned and to this day she swears she’ll never own another Volkswagen.