The Golf celebrates its 50th birthday this year and Volkswagen is launching an improved version of its best-seller to celebrate the anniversary. Customers will be able to order the new model in just a few weeks. At new Golf impresses with next-generation infotainment system, a more intuitive handling philosophy, a more dynamic front and rear design, and advanced, efficient powertrains. These include plug-in hybrid powertrains with an increased pure electric range of around 100 kilometres. In addition, an illuminated Volkswagen logo adorns the front for the first time on a Golf.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said: "The Golf has been at the heart of the Volkswagen brand for half a century, offering affordable mobility for all at the highest technological level. Where we are now, we are now building the next step in evolution, with even greater performance, comfort and quality and a new ergonomics philosophy. The Golf is becoming as good as it could be."
Imelda Labbé, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales said: "With the Golf, we have written a unique success story. The Golf represents the Volkswagen brand like no other model. A car for all generations. And this has been the case for 50 years. With the continuous technological development of the new Golf, we are now adding another chapter to this success story."
Revamped front and rear end and new headlight design. The new Golf is distinguished by the new front end. The design features that define the new image include the Volkswagen logo, which for the first time on the Golf is illuminated, as well as the newly designed LED headlamps. The leading IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlamps incorporate a new high-performance main beam with a range of up to 500 metres. The IQ.LIGHT 3D LED rear light arrays also have a new design.
New interface in the infotainment system with integrated ChatGPT. Inside, the new Golf features a new sophisticated, intuitive infotainment system with a free-standing touchscreen (up to 12.9 inches diagonal). This features ergonomically optimised and illuminated touchscreen controls for temperature and volume control at the base.
Also new is the improved multifunction steering wheel and the new IDA voice assistant. Using natural language, IDA can be used not only to control functions such as the air conditioning, phone or navigation system, but also to access online information from all possible areas, from weather forecasts to general knowledge questions. The Golf will feature the most advanced generation of infotainment systems in the future. This new generation will incorporate the artificial intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into the IDA voice assistant. The feature was unveiled at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas in early January and can seamlessly access the ever-growing artificial intelligence database. Passengers can interact with the car using natural language and it can read them the content they have searched for during the journey.
Parking is made easy thanks to new assistance systems. Parking manoeuvres in the Golf are made easier thanks to new assistance systems such as the improved Park Assist Plus function. When the driver passes in front of a parking space, it can detect whether the space (parallel or vertical) is large enough and initiates the parking process accordingly. The system takes over steering wheel control as well as acceleration and braking. All the driver has to do is monitor the parking process. In addition, Park Assist Pro will be available for the first time on the Golf, allowing drivers to guide it in and out of parking spaces with their smartphone. For example, the car can be remotely guided out of the parking space if it is too narrow. Another new feature is the Area View system in which a 360-degree image is created by merging the footage from four cameras and the corresponding image is transferred to the touchscreen of the infotainment system. This makes it easier to locate sidewalks and markings in parking spaces.
New engine range. The new plug-in hybrid powertrains in the Golf offer increased power and an electric range of around 100 km and are additionally equipped with a DC fast-charging function. The highly efficient 48 V mild hybrid motors are particularly attractive for drivers who do not have charging facilities at home. In the launch phase, the following options will be available - mild hybrid (eTSI), plug-in hybrid (eHybrid and GTE) and turbocharged petrol (TSI). The Golf GTI has been made even sportier with additional power compared to its predecessor. Further versions of the Golf will be introduced during 2024.
50 years of Golf: The history of the best seller
The first production Golf was built at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg at the end of March 1974. The official launch began in May of that year. Prior to that, the Beetle and thus the combination of a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive had shaped the Volkswagen brand for decades.
In the early 1970s, the first Golf - like the Passat, Scirocco and Polo - marked the beginning of a new era: that of front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive. The modern and safe drive system concept, the great flexibility of the tailgate and folding rear seat backrest, and the body design made a big impression on the market, with the one millionth Golf coming off the assembly line as late as October 1976.
But that was just the beginning: in the seven generations that followed, it was always the Golf that made affordable mobility with the highest level of technology available to everyone. Its development continued with many new technologies, such as the controlled catalytic converter and efficient drive systems, while offering additional safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags or the first all-wheel drive system. The secret of the Golf's success was also due to the fact that the designers carried the DNA of the first generation over to its successors, thus cultivating the classic Golf design.
Comfort, quality and innovative assistance systems have become increasingly important with each generation and continue to set standards to this day. Over the past 50 years, the Golf has become a high-tech compact car in a class of its own. This even became known as the "Golf class" after only a few years. The Golf has won countless awards and benchmark tests around the world. Various versions followed, including the Variant, Cabriolet and Sportsvan, the all-electric e-Golf, while the renowned sports models, abbreviated GTI, GTD, GTE, and the flagship Golf R quickly established themselves. The Golf was one of the first cars in the class to offer assisted driving via Travel Assist. Another innovation in the Golf was the debut of Car2X technology, which can provide advance warning of hazards.
To date, more than 37 million Golfs have been sold across eight generations. The Golf is a constant pillar for the Volkswagen brand and has always been able to adapt to the times as a driver of innovation. With the new Golf, Volkswagen continues on the same approach, focusing on improved performance, comfort and quality combined with an intelligent philosophy of operation and communication with the driver.
