The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car produced by the German manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across seven 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 original Golf Mk1 was a front-wheel drive, front-engined replacement for the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle. Historically, the Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling model and the world's second best-selling model, with more than 29 million built by 2012.
Most production of the Golf was initially in the 3-door hatchback style. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, estate/wagon (Variant, from 1993),convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979–2002, 2011 - present), and a Golf-derived notchback saloon/sedan, variously called Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Vento (from 1992) or Volkswagen Bora (from 1999). The cars have filled many market segments, from basic personal cars, to high-performance hot hatches.
The Volkswagen Golf has won many awards throughout its history. The Volkswagen Golf won the World Car of the Year in 2009 with the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 and in 2013 with the Volkswagen Golf Mk7. Every generation of Golf has been a runner-up in the European Car of the Year awards and two have been winners, the Golf Mk3 in 1992 and the Golf Mk7 in 2013. The Volkswagen Golf has made the Car and Driver annual 10 Best list multiple times.
| Volkswagen Golf | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | Volkswagen Rabbit |
| Production | 1974–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A platform |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen Beetle |
Nameplate etymology
Despite numerous sources suggesting that the Golf nameplate is derived from the German word for Gulf Stream — during a period in its history when VW named vehicles after prominent winds or currents (as with the Passat (after the German word for Trade wind), Jetta(after the Jet stream), Bora (after Bora) and Scirocco (after Sirocco)[5]) or that "Golf" is a sport theme-related name as shared with thePolo and Derby— a 2013 report by former VW advertising copywriter Bertel Schmitt, says that — after consulting knowledgeable VW sources including Dr. Carl Hahn, former Volkswagen of America Chief and WP Schmidt, former sales chief at Volkswagen — no conclusive evidence suggests that Volkswagen employed a naming theme for its then new front-drive, water-cooled vehicles; nor that the names trace etymologically to any particular theme; nor that any naming system "was ever announced, either officially or confidentially."
First generation (A1, Typ 17; 1974–1983)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk1 (17) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1974–1983 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A1 platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Jetta Mk1 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk1 & Mk2 |
In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, long-range replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. Later Golf variations included the Golf GTI "hot hatch" (introduced in June 1976), a diesel-powered version (from September 1976), the Jetta notchback saloon version (from October 1979), the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet AND Golf Cabriolet (from January 1980) and a Golf-based pickup, the Volkswagen Caddy.
The Golf Mk1 was sold as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico.
A facelifted version of the Golf Mk1 was produced in South Africa as the Citi Golffrom 1984 to 2009.
Second generation (A2, Typ 1G; 1983–1992)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk2 (1G) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1983–1992 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A2 platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Jetta Mk2 Volkswagen Corrado SEAT Toledo Mk1 |
September 1983 saw the introduction of the second-generation Golf Mk2 that grew slightly in terms of wheelbase, exterior and interior dimensions, while retaining, in a more rounded form, the Mk1's overall look. Although it was available on the home market and indeed most other left-hand drive markets by the end of 1983, it was not launched onto the British market until March 1984. The original Golf had been one of the few front-wheel drive hatchbacks sold in Britain and indeed anywhere else on its arrival a decade earlier; by this stage, however, virtually every major manufacturer was producing a Golf-like hatchback.
In 1985, the first Golfs with four-wheel-drive (Golf syncro) went on sale with the same Syncro four-wheel-drive system being employed on the supercharged G60 models, exclusively released on the continent in 1989 with 120 kW (160 bhp) and ABS braking.
A Mk2-based second generation Jetta was unveiled in January 1984. There was no Mk2-based cabriolet model; instead, the Mk1 Cabriolet was continued over the Mk2's entire production run.
Third generation (A3, Typ 1H; 1993–2001)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk3 (1H) | |
|---|---|
_CL_5-door_hatchback_03.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1993–2001 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A3 platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Vento |
The third-generation Golf Mk3 made its home-market début in August 1991 and again grew slightly in comparison with its immediate predecessor, while its wheelbase remained unchanged.
New engines included the first Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine in a Golf, and a narrow-angle 2.8 L VR6 engine. The VR6-engined version accelerated from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 7.1 seconds, posting a record 15.5¼-mile time at 90.5 mph (145.6 km/h).[citation needed] EPA estimate 26 mpg-US(9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) (city) or 32 mpg-US (7.4 L/100 km; 38 mpg-imp) (highway), with 261 mi (420 km) per tank (city) and 363 mi (584 km) per tank (highway). For the first time ever, a Golf estate (Golf Variant) joined the line-up in September 1993 (although most markets did not receive this model until early 1994). At the same time, a completely new Mk3-derived Cabriolet was introduced, replacing the 13-year-old Mk1-based version with a body style similar to that of the Mk3 Golf from 1994 to early 1999. The Mk3 Golf Cabrio received a Mk4-style facelift for the late 1999 model and was continued until 2002. The notchback version, called VW Vento (or Jetta III in North America), was presented in January, 1992.
The Mk3 continued to be sold until 1999 in the United States, Canada and parts of South America, also in Mexico as a special edition called "Mi" (Golf CL 4-door, added A/C, special interiors, OEM black tinted rear stop lights, and ABS, no OEM radio) ("Mi" ("i" in red) stands for Multipoint Injection and the 1.8 L engine was upgraded to 2.0).
Fourth generation (A4, Typ 1J; 1997–2004)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (1J) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1997–2004 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Bora Audi A3 Mk1 Audi TT Mk1 SEAT León Mk1 SEAT Toledo Mk2 Škoda Octavia Mk1 |
The Golf Mk4 was first introduced in August 1997, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, again VW Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March 1999. There was no Mk4-derived Cabriolet, although the Mk3 Cabriolet received a facelift in late 1999 that comprised bumpers, grill and headlights similar to those of the Mark 4 models.
New high-performance models included the 3.2 L VR6-engined four-wheel-driveGolf "R32" introduced in 2002, its predecessor the 2.8 L VR6-engined "Golf V64Motion" (succeeding the 2.9 L Mk3 "Golf VR6 Syncro"), as well as use of the famous 1.8T (turbo) 4-cylinder used in various Volkswagen Group models.
As of 2008, certain variants of the Golf/Bora Mk4 were still in production in Brazil, China, and Mexico. Revised versions of the Mk4 were sold in Canada marketed as the Golf City and Jetta City from 2007 to 2010. The two models were VW Canada's entry-level offerings. They received a significant freshening for the 2008 model year, including revised headlamps, taillamps, front and rear fascias, sound systems, and wheels. Both models were offered only with the 2.0 L, 8-valve SOHCfour-cylinder gasoline engine, rated at 86 kW (115 bhp). They were the only entry-level offerings with an optional six-speed automatic. Production of the European variant of the Golf Mk4 ceased at the end of the 2003 model year. Production of the U.S version ended in 2006.
When the Chinese market Bora received a July 2006 facelift, the Golf did too, becoming the "Bora HS" in the process.
The MK4's popularity and low cost has allowed it to remain in production in several countries, including Brazil and Argentina, with minor cosmetic changes.
Fifth generation (A5, Typ 1K; 2004–2008)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (1K) | |
|---|---|
_Sportline_2.0_TDI_5-door_hatchback_01.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2004–2008 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Jetta Mk5 Volkswagen Eos Volkswagen Scirocco Mk3 Audi A3 Mk2 SEAT León Mk2 SEAT Toledo Mk3 SEAT Altea Škoda Octavia Mk2 |
The Golf Mk5 was introduced in Europe in 2003. In North America, Volkswagen brought back the Rabbit nameplate when it introduced the vehicle in 2006. The North American base model is powered by a 2.5 L five-cylinder engine, which produced 112 kW (150 hp) in 2006 and 2007, but was upped to 127 kW (170 hp) in the later models. A GTI version is powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.0 TFSI engine, producing 147 kW (200 PS).
Volkswagen also introduced the "Fast" marketing idea for the North American market, "dedicated to the 'fast' that lives inside every driver". Drivers who purchased new GTI Mk5s from a dealership were shipped a model of said Fast, which employs GTI-like features. The GTI version is the only version on sale in Mexico.
The saloon/sedan version, again called Volkswagen Jetta in most markets, is assembled in Germany, South Africa, as well as Mexico. (In Mexico this car is known as Bora.) It was followed in 2004 by a new Golf Variant. The front ends of the car are the same, with the only difference being that the GLI is a sedan, while the GTI is a hatchback.
Later models of the Mk5 introduced the 1.4 TSI turbocharged petrol engine with front-wheel drive.
In a comparison test conducted by Car and Driver Magazine, the Volkswagen Rabbit S was named the winner among eight small cars. While it was praised for its excellent driving position, fine instruments, and strong engine, it was criticized for having high levels of road noise, uncomfortable seats, and poor fuel economy. Though, the final verdict stated, "This one is all about driving pleasure, so it wins." The Rabbit also placed first in their final comparison in December 2006.
The Golf Plus was also introduced in 2004. This was a slightly larger version of the Golf Mk5 with a higher roofline.
VW Golf GTI W12
In 2007, VW built a concept car based on the Golf Mk5 featuring a 6.0 litre W12 engine from the Volkswagen Phaeton. The engine was twin-turbocharged and tuned to provide an extra 200 bhp, giving 641 bhp. Volkswagen claimed that the car could accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds. The Golf GTI W12 was rear wheel drive, using a six-speed automatic gearbox. The body was extensively modified to carry the engine, widened and given a rear spoiler to improve handling. The W12 engine was placed in the middle of the car to improve the car's grip.
Sixth generation (A6, Typ 5K; 2008–2013)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (5K) | |
|---|---|
_118TSI_Comfortline_5-door_hatchback_(2011-11-08)_01.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2008–2012 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Jetta Mk6 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk3 Audi A3 Mk2 SEAT León Mk2 SEAT Toledo Mk3 SEAT Altea |
Volkswagen based the Golf Mk6 on the existing PQ35 platform from the Golf Mk5. This vehicle was debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
The Mk6 Golf was designed by Volkswagen's chief designer Walter de'Silva. The design is said to be more aerodynamic, helping fuel efficiency, and is quieter than its predecessor. Following criticism of the downgraded interior trim quality of the Mk5 Golf in comparison to the Mk4, Volkswagen opted to overhaul the interior to match the quality with the Mk4 Golf, while maintaining the same user friendliness from the Mk5. The car is also cheaper to build than its predecessor; Volkswagen claims it consequently will be able to pass these savings on to the customer.[12]The MK6 Jetta was released in Mexico in mid-2010, and by late 2011 will be available in all markets around the globe. Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engines which use the common rail direct injection will replace the longstanding Pumpe/Düse (PD) Unit Injector system. New on the Golf, is the optional Volkswagen Adaptive Chassis Control (not available in the North American market), which allows the driver to select between 'normal', 'comfort' and 'sports' modes, which will vary the suspension, steering and accelerator behavior accordingly.
The Mk6 Golf is available with both 5- and 6-speed manual transmission gearbox, and 6- or 7-speed DSG (Dual Clutch). In America, the MK5 version was originally sold as the Rabbit from 2006-2009. In 2010, Volkswagen brought back the Golf nameplate with the mid-cycle refresh. With it brought a 170 hp, 2.5-liter I-5 with 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque and a 2.0-liter, 140-hp turbocharged clean diesel engine that generates 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. The GTI version is equipped with a 200-hp, turbocharged TSI gas engine while the Golf R has a 256-hp TFSI engine. All three engines can be paired with a DSG dual-clutch 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission in either a 3- or 5-door configuration.
The car was introduced for sale in the UK in January 2009, and in North America in October 2009 as the 2010 Golf, rather than Rabbit. The Mk6 also reintroduced a diesel engine option to the North American market.[16]
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Seventh generation (A7, Typ 5G; 2013–present)
| Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (5G) | |
|---|---|
_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht,_31._Dezember_2012,_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2012–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group MQB platform |
| Related | Audi A3 Mk3 SEAT León Mk3 Škoda Octavia Mk3 |
The seventh-generation Golf had its début in late 2012 at the Paris Motor Show.[18]
The Golf VII, Typ 5G[19] uses the new MQB platform, shared with the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. It is slightly larger than the Mk6 while managing to be approximately 100 kg lighter, depending on engine choice. The GTI will offer a 217 bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with an available performance pack to raise the output to 227 bhp.[20]
Electric versions
The VW Golf has had several generations made into electric CityStromer models. The first of these was in the 1970s, when VW took a standard Golf Mk1 and converted it to electric power. By the time the Golf Mk2 came into production a limited number of electric Golfs were made, using lead–acid battery packs and a custom-made motor and controller[citation needed]. VW continued with the production of limited numbers of CityStromer electric cars with the introduction of the Golf Mk3. The electric CityStromer Mk3 included a Siemens-based AC drive system, and lead–acid battery packs. They had a maximum speed of 60 mph (97 km/h) and a range of approximately 50 mi (80 km).[21] With a few exceptions, only left-hand drive Golfs were converted by VW into Citystromer models. These vehicles are still used today and have popularity in mainland Europe with only a few present in Great Britain. Only two right-hand drive Mk2 CityStromers were built for the UK market and it is believed only one remains today. It is owned by EV advocate and broadcaster Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield, host of Transport Evolved.[22]
Golf Variant Twin Drive
As part of the "Fleet study in electric mobility" project that began in 2008, VW developed 20 Golf Variant twinDRIVE plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. These research vehicles have an all-electric range of 57 km (35 mi) and the internal combustion engine provides for a total range of 900 km (560 mi). The plug-in hybrid drive of the Golf Variant twinDRIVE is equipped with either an 11.2 kWh or a 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack, as Volkswagen is testing packs from two vendors. Ten vehicles are equipped with batteries from the American-German manufacturer GAIA with cathode type nickel cobalt aluminium dioxide (NCA). The other ten are powered by lithium-ion batteries with nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cathodes from the Korean-German joint venture SB LiMotive (Samsung and Bosch). These 10 vehicles have been in use since early 2011. Both battery systems offer high power and energy density. They each weigh about 150 kg. The gasoline engine is used to support the electric heating system when outdoor temperatures are low.
Using guidelines for determining the fuel consumption of plug-in hybrids, VW estimates a fuel consumption of 2.1 L/100 km (112 mpg US), which is equivalent to 49 g/km CO2. When the battery is fully charged, the Golf Variant twinDRIVE is design to maximize the share of pure electrical energy used for driving, and only when longer distances are driven does the share of supplemental gasoline fuel increase. Top speed of the car is 170 kilometres per hour (110 mph) and it accelerates to 100 km/h in under 12 seconds. When operated in pure electric mode, the Golf Variant twinDRIVE can reach a top speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[23]
The production version is expected to be based on Mk6 Golf featuring a 1.5 L turbodiesel engine and electric motor, with estimated arrival date of 2015.[24] A SEAT León prototype with the Twin Drive system is also under development.
Volkswagen e-Golf
At the ceremonial launching of Germany's "National Electric Mobility Platform" (NEMP) in Berlin, Volkswagen presented the Golf blue-e-motion electric car concept to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. NEMP is a German government initiative to develop Germany into a leading market for electric mobility.
The Golf blue-e-motion concept has a range of 150 km (93 mi). Sales are scheduled for 2014, and Volkswagen scheduled a field testing program with 500 units to begin in 2011.[27][28] The first 10 units began field testing in Wolfsburg in May 2011.[29] A second batch of 80 test cars began testing in June 2011 in Berlin, Hannover and Wolfsburg.[30] In February 2012, the first e-Golf, as the production version was renamed, was delivered inBelmont, California. A total of 20 e-Golfs will be allocated to the U.S. field testing program.[31]
The Golf blue-emotion concept has a 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is powered by an 85 kW electric motor which drives the front wheels through a single speed transmission. It will accelerate to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in 11.8 seconds and have a top speed of 86 miles per hour (138 km/h). Paddle shifters are used to adjust the amount of regenerative braking. The vehicle's PRNDL stick has an additional 'B' mode as found on some other electric vehicles to set the regenerative braking effort to the maximum for sustained downhill travelling.
- Production version
The production version of the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Retail deliveries in Germany are scheduled to being in the second quarter of 2014. The Volkswagen e-Golf will go on sale in the US in the 4th quarter of 2014.
Motorsport
In auto racing, APR Motorsport has led two MKV VW GTI's to victory in the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge Street Tuner (ST) class.
Awards and recognition
- The Golf Mk3 won the 1992 European Car of the Year award.
- In April 2010 Kelley Blue Book included the VW Golf TDI (clean diesel) among its Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.
- The Golf Mk7 was named "The All The Car You'll Ever Need Car of the Year 2012" by Top Gear (magazine).
- The Golf Mk7 won the 2013 European Car of the Year award for the second time.
- The Golf Mk7 won the 2013 World Car of the Year award.
- Volkswagen Golf has been selected as the Car of the Year Japan 2013-2014, becoming the first imported car to win the award created in 1980.
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