Volkswagen Golf
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225928296
2008-07-16T01:42:48Z
S. Dean Jameson
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225927970 by [[Special:Contributions/78.30.180.226|78.30.180.226]] ([[User talk:78.30.180.226|talk]]) rv unsourced
{{Infobox Automobile
|name = Volkswagen Golf
|image = [[Image:Volkswagen-Rabbit-3-door.jpg|250px|US-spec Golf Mk5 (Rabbit) 3-door]]
|manufacturer = [[Volkswagen]],<Br>[[Karmann]] (for convertibles)
|aka = Rabbit, Caribe
|production = 1974–present
|predecessor = [[Volkswagen Beetle]]
|class = [[Small family car]]<br>[[Subcompact]] (1974-1984)<br>[[Compact car|Compact]] (1985-present)
|platform = [[Volkswagen Group A platform]] series
}}
The '''Volkswagen Golf''' or '''VW Golf''' (''Mk1 badged as '''Volkswagen Rabbit''' in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], Mk1 badged as '''Volkswagen Caribe''' in [[Mexico]]'') is a [[compact car]]/[[small family car]] manufactured by [[Volkswagen]]. The [[front-wheel drive]] Golf was Volkswagen's first successful replacement for the [[air-cooled]] [[Volkswagen Beetle]]. Historically, it is Volkswagen's best-selling model and the [[list of bestselling vehicle nameplates|world's third best-selling model]], with more than 25 million built by 2007.<ref name="carmagazine.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/VW-Golf-build-passes-25-million-/?&R=EPI-3666|title=VW Golf build passes 25 million|accessdate=2008-03-11|year=30 March 2007|author=Gareth Kent|work=carmagazine.co.uk}}</ref>
Most production of the Golf was initially in the 3-door [[hatchback]] style<ref>Figures for 1974 to 1987: 4.7 million 3-door models, 2.55 million 5-doors, according to: {{cite book |title=Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, vol.3 |last=Oswald |first=Werner |year=2001 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3-613-02116-1 |pages=86-87}} </ref>. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, [[station wagon|estate/wagon]] ('''Variant''', from 1993), [[convertible]] ('''Cabriolet''' and '''Cabrio''', 1979-2002), and a Golf-derived notchback [[sedan|saloon/sedan]], variously called '''[[Volkswagen Jetta]]''', '''Volkswagen Vento''' or '''Volkswagen Bora''' (from 1979). The cars have filled many market segments, from basic personal cars, to high-performance [[hot hatch]]es.
On its home market, the Golf's success popularised the use of the hatchback in the C segment of cars, and began the entire [[Compact car|Golf-class car]].
==Golf Mk1 (A1/Typ 17, 1974-1983)==
{{main|Volkswagen Golf Mk1}}
[[Image:Vw golf 1 v sst.jpg|thumb|VW Golf Mk1]]
In May, 1974<ref>All dates for Mark 1 to Mark 4 according to: {{cite book |title=Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, vol.3 |last=Oswald |first=Werner |year=2001 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3-613-02116-1 |pages=72-137}} and {{cite book |title=Deutsche Autos seit 1990, vol.5 |last=Kittler |first=Eberhard |year=2001 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=3-613-02128-5 |pages=266-313 }} </ref> Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front wheel drive long-range replacement of the Beetle. Later Golf variations included the Golf GTI (introduced in June, 1976), a Diesel-powered version (from September, 1976), a notchback saloon version called Jetta (from October, 1979), the Cabriolet (from January, 1980) and a Golf-based pickup, the [[VW Caddy]].
In [[North America]], the '''Golf Mk1''' was sold as the '''Volkswagen Rabbit'''.
As of 2008, the Golf Mk1 is still being produced in South Africa as the [[Volkswagen Citi Golf]].
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==Golf Mk2 (A2/Typ 19E, 1983-1992)==
{{main|Volkswagen Golf Mk2}}
[[Image:VW Golf II front 20080206.jpg|thumb|VW Golf Mk2]]
August, 1983 saw the introduction of the second-generation '''Golf Mk2''' that slightly grew in terms of wheelbase, exterior and interior dimensions while retaining in somewhat more rounded form the Mk1's overall look. In 1986, the first Golfs with four wheel drive (called Golf Syncro) appeared.
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.
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==Golf Mk3 (A3/Typ 1H, 1992-1998)==
{{main|Volkswagen Golf Mk3}}
[[Image:Volkswagen-Golf-MkIII.jpg|thumb|VW Golf Mk3 North American version]]
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 in a Golf and a narrow-angle 2.8 L V6, called, in VW terminology, a [[VR6|VR6]] engine. For the first time ever, a Golf station wagon (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 Mark 3-derived Cabriolet was introduced, replacing the 13-year-old MK1-based version.
The notchback version, called VW Vento (or Jetta III in North America), was presented in January, 1992.
It was [[European Car of the Year]] for 1992.
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==Golf Mk4 (A4/Typ 1J, 1998-2006)==
{{main|Volkswagen Golf Mk4}}
[[Image:Volkswagen Golf IV 4-door.jpg|thumb|VW Golf Mk4 (US)]]
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, 1999 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March, 1999. There was no Mk4 derived Cabriolet, although the Mk3 Cabriolet received a facelift in early 1998 that comprised bumpers, grille and headlights similar to those of the Mark 4 saloon models. New high-performance models included the 3.2L VR6 engined four-wheel-drive Golf R32 introduced in 2002. There was also a 2.8L four-wheel drive Golf V6 4Motion version available, succeeding the Mk3 VR6 which used a 2.8L VR6 and only had front-wheel drive.
As of 2008, certain variants of the Golf/Bora Mk4 are still in production in Brazil, China, and Mexico. Revised versions of the Mk. 4 are currently on sale in Canada marketed as the City Golf and City Jetta. The two models are 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 are offered only with the 2.0L SOHC 4-cylinder gasoline engine, rated at 115 hp.
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==Golf Mk5 (A5/Typ 1K, 2003-present)==
{{main|Volkswagen Golf Mk5}}
[[Image:VW Golf V front 20080123.jpg|thumb|right|VW Golf Mk5]]
In [[Germany]], the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk4]] was succeeded by the '''Golf Mk5''' in 2003 in Europe, This model did not reach the North American markets until model year 2006, where it was marketed as the GTI MKV.
Volkswagen also introduced the "Fast", a marketing ploy dedicated to the "fast" that lives inside every driver. Drivers who purchase new GTI MKV's from a dealership are shipped a model of said Fast, which employs GTI-like features, and appears as a small animal. The GTI version is the only one on sale in Mexico.
The notchback version, again called VW Jetta in most markets and built exclusively in Mexico (In Mexico and Europe this car is named Bora), followed in 2004, a new Golf Variant in 2006. The Golf Cabriolet has been effectively replaced by the [[Volkswagen Eos]].
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 a thirsty engine. Though, the final verdict stated, "This one is all about driving pleasure, so it wins." The Rabbit also placed first in their last comparison in December 2006.
==Future generations==
Volkswagen intends to base the next-generation Golf on the existing Golf V platform.<ref>Wall Street Journal [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121295991392455457.html VW to Cut Costs to Produce Golf] June 9, 2008; pg B2</ref>
==See also==
{{commonscat}}
{{commonscat|VW Golf GTI}}
*[[Volkswagen Group A platform]]
*[[VDub]]
*[[list of Volkswagen Group petrol engines]]
*[[list of Volkswagen Group diesel engines]]
*[[list of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol engines]]
*[[list of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel engines]]
*[[Hot hatch]]
*[[Small family car]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/models/golf_start.html Golf at Volkswagen International]
** [http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php GolfGTIforum] UK Golf GTI forum
** [http://www.myfastgti.com/ VW GTI] VW GTI
** [http://www.rabbitownersclub.com/ VW Rabbit] VW Rabbit Owners
** [http://vw.dpgoldman.com/ VW GTI] History of the GTI
** [http://www.r32oc.com/ VW R32] R32 Owners Club Site
** [http://urbanvw.com Urban VW]
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{{VW}}
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[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1974]]
[[Category:Volkswagen vehicles|Golf]]
[[Category:Compact cars]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Hatchbacks]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
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[[Category:1970s automobiles]]
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