Specifications car Volkswagen Golf

The German company Volkswagen has been producing the Golf since 1974 to the present day. The name comes from the name of the warm sea current Gulf Stream. This model ranks third in the world and first in Europe as the best-selling car. Thanks to the new concept of front-wheel drive and economy, he became the savior of the Volkswagen concern and brought him out of the economic crisis of the 70s associated with an increase in oil prices.

Throughout its history, the car has undergone as many as 7 generations of changes and received many awards. Latest awards «Car of the Year» received the 6th generation in 2009 and the 7th generation Golf in 2013.

For the most part, this is a three-door hatchback, but there are options with 5 doors, station wagon, sedan and even a convertible. In some countries, it has other names - Jetta, Bora, Vento, Rabbit and Caribe. The nearest competitors of the Golf car are Audi A3, Chevrolet Cruze, Fiat Bravo, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Ceed, Lada Vesta, Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Opel Astra, Peugeot 308, Skoda Octavia, Renault Fluence and Toyota Corolla.

Golf I (1974—1983)

The model appeared on the market in the spring of 1974 and served as the basis for a new compact car class. The predecessor of the Golf was the VW Beetle (Bug), which was released simultaneously until 1985. From the very first day of sales, the car became a bestseller. Over the 10 years of production of the first model, about 6 million copies were produced, including 1 million diesel options.

At first, the motors were borrowed from Auda 50 and Audi 80 (50 and 70 hp). They were economical, which was very important during the oil crisis (consumption was about 6.5 liters per hundred). In 1976, a 50 hp diesel engine appeared. Front-wheel drive with a transverse engine. Suspension front type «MacPherson», back - semi-independent twisting beam at the back. Three transmission options - 4-speed and 5-speed manual transmission and 3-speed automatic transmission.

The main body shape is a 3-door hatchback, but there were also 5-door ones. In 1979, the Jetta model appeared - a sedan with 2 and 4-door bodies. It was mainly popular in North America. With a convertible body, the first generation was produced from 1980 to 1993. Air conditioning was offered as an option in 1975.

Golf II (1983—1991)

In 1983, the second generation Golf model was introduced. For 9 years, more than 6 million copies were produced. In the 90s, a lot of these used cars were shipped to Russia. The body is only a hatchback with 3 or 5 doors. The number of options and additional equipment has increased.

Engines were installed gasoline with a volume of 1.3 to 2.0 liters (50-133 hp) and diesel volume 1.6 (54-70 hp) atmospheric and turbocharged. in 1989, a 60 hp ecodiesel 1V appeared. and SB is the most powerful (80 hp). Diesel fuel consumption is about 6 liters per hundred.

There are three transmission options to choose from - 4-speed, 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic.

It is worth mentioning a separate branch of the model - Golf Country. This is a frame all-wheel drive car with increased ground clearance. The rear axle is driven automatically through a viscous coupling when the front wheels slip. In total, about 7 thousand copies were produced and, due to the high price and low demand, it was discontinued.

Golf III (1991—1997)

It was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991. This generation of cars also became very popular. In 1992 he received an award «European Car of the Year». In total, about 4.8 million copies were produced. A 5-door station wagon and a convertible were added to the bodies standard for the second model of 3 and 5-door hatchbacks. Golf III became the forerunner «diesel mania», that started in Europe in the 90s. In the 2000s, several tens of thousands of used cars were imported into Russia.

All engines from the beginning of steel production are direct injection, to meet the requirements of the EEC. The range of gasoline engines has also expanded in terms of power and volume - from 1.4 to 2.9 liters (55-190 hp). The diesel engine was 1.9 liters - one atmospheric (64 hp) and three turbocharged (75, 90 and 110 hp). The transmission has also undergone changes - a 4-speed and 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Golf IV (1997—2004)

The fourth generation Golf became the best-selling in Europe in 2001, but in 2002 it went to second place, losing the first Peugeot 206. In Mexico and China, the car was produced until 2010. In total, about 4 million copies were produced. During production, he won 6 different authoritative awards.

Significantly improved interior trim and equipment - it has become the closest to premium cars in its form factor. The body is made in three versions - 3 and 5-door hatchbacks and 5-door station wagon. Based on the Golf, a sedan was also released, called the Volkswagen Bora, in America the name remained the same - VW Jetta.

In the fourth Golf, the choice of engine is very wide. Gasoline engines - 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.3 liters VR5 (from 75 to 170 hp), 2.8 liter V6 (from 177 to 204 hp) and 3.2 liters R32 (240 hp). Diesel engines - 1.9 liters naturally aspirated SDI, as well as a 1.9 liter turbodiesel with power from 90 to 150 hp. Transmission options have greatly expanded - 5 and 6-speed manual transmission, 4-speed automatic transmission, 5-speed automatic transmission «tiptronic» and 6-speed DSG (preselective gearbox).

Golf V (2003—2008)

It was first exhibited in October 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale almost immediately. Based on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform (PQ35). The design of the car was redesigned, but the general features and silhouette remained the same, the size of the body and, consequently, the interior, as well as the trunk, increased slightly from 330 to 350 liters. The suspension and chassis tuning have undergone a lot of changes, which has led to improved handling and smoothness. Interior trim remained at a very high level, achieved in the fourth Golf. During its release, the Golf V won over 20 different awards.

The body is made in four versions - 3-door and 5-door hatchback, 5-door station wagon and 5-door MPV (compact minivan), named Golf Plus. The convertible was not produced, since in 2006 the Volkswagen Eos came out with a folding hardtop, and in 2004 the VW New Beetle appeared as a convertible, replacing the Golf.

The choice of engines is very large. Petrol - 1.4 liters (l4) power from 75 to 170 hp, 1.6 liters (l4) 102 to 116 hp, 2.0 liters (l4) from 150 to 230 hp, 2.5 liters (l5), 3.2 liters (VR6) 250 hp. Diesel from 1.9 to 2.0 liters (TDi) power from 91 to 170 hp, all turbocharged with direct injection. There is also something to choose from transmissions - 5 and 6-speed manual transmission, 6-speed automatic transmission «tiptronic», as well as 6 and 7-speed DSG (preselective gearbox).

Golf VI (2008—2012)

The sixth Golf was first shown on August 6, 2008 at the Paris Motor Show, and went on sale at the beginning of winter. The design has not undergone major changes, mainly a facelift, but engineering solutions have been made that have reduced production time and made the interior a little cheaper. Chassis remains the same - Volkswagen Group A5 platform (PQ35).

For the first time in Golf history, air conditioning was included as standard. Also, the car had a minimum of seven airbags, which made it the safest car in its class at the time of release according to the Euro NCAP rating. During its production, the car won more than 20 different awards, including «World Car of the Year» in 2009.

The body is made in four versions - a 3-door and 5-door hatchback, a 5-door station wagon, and in 2011 a 2-door convertible was introduced. The convertible has an electro-hydraulic soft top that opens in 9.5 seconds and can be opened at speeds up to 30 km/h.

The range of engines is also extensive. Petrol from 1.2 to 2.5 liters with a capacity of 80 to 270 hp, diesel from 1.6 to 2.0 liters with a capacity of 105 to 140 hp. (all turbocharged), as well as one 1.6 liter (102 hp) liquefied gas engine. The choice of transmissions is the same as on the previous generation.

Golf VII (2012—2020)

Golf Mk7 was announced on September 4, 2012 in Berlin, and then exhibited at the Paris Motor Show. In Europe, sales began on November 10, 2012. The car is based on the new Volkswagen Group MQB platform (in German Modularer Querbaukasten, in Russian Modular transverse matrix), which is used on Audi A3, Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia. Thanks to this platform, the interior space has increased. The overall length has also increased slightly (56 mm) and width (20 mm). The body is made in three versions - 3 and 5-door hatchback, 5-door station wagon.

A new safety system has been introduced that additionally tightens the seat belts of the driver and passengers if the radar detects a risk of collision. The vehicle will be automatically braked after the first collision to avoid a second collision. Other security systems are also used - control of road markings and signs, warning of driver fatigue, automatic parking. Seventh Golf has won many awards - «North American Car of the Year» (2015), «European Car of the Year» (2013), «World Car of the Year» (2013), «Japan Car of the Year» (2013) etc.

As always, the widest choice of engines. Gasoline with a volume of 1.0 to 2.0 liters with a capacity of 84 to 296 hp. Diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.0 liters with a capacity of 90 to 184 hp. (all turbocharged). Four types of transmissions - 5 and 6-speed manual transmission, 6 and 7-speed DSG.

Golf VII, 5 doors hatchback, back view

Dashboard Volkswagen Golf VII

luggage space Volkswagen Golf VII

Golf VIII (2019—present)

The eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf was presented in October 2019 in Wolfsburg. The car is based on a platform «MQB Evo», which is also used for Audi A3 4, Cupra Formentor, SEAT Leon 4, Skoda Octavia 4, VW Caddy 4 and VW Talagon. Body styles are offered in two versions - station wagon and hatchback. The length of the station wagon was 4633 mm, width 1789 mm, height 1498 mm. Hatchback length 4284 mm, width 1789 mm, height 1456 mm. The drag coefficient became 0.275 against 0.29 for the previous generation.

The car began to use digital technologies even more - the dashboard became a display, a touch screen was installed in the center to control audio / video, air conditioning, headlights and others. The adaptive cruise control system and various driver assistance systems allow you to drive the car in a semi-autonomous mode. All models use LED headlights. Additionally, a projection display, matrix LEDs, gear shifting with buttons, integration with the Amazon Alexa virtual assistant and many other functions are installed.

Gasoline engines were installed in the following volumes - three-cylinder 1.0 liter (999 cm³, EA211, TSI/eTSI, 90/110 hp), four-cylinder 1.2 liters (1197 cm³, EA211, TSI, 115 hp), 1.4 liters (1395 cm³, EA211, TSI, 150 hp), 1.5 liters (1498 cm³, EA211, TSI/eTSI/TGI, 130/150 hp), 1.4 liters (1395 cm³, GTE, 245 hp) and 2.0 liters (1984 cm³, GTI/R, 245/320 hp). Diesel engines all 2.0 liter (1968 cm³) - TDI 115/150 hp and 200 hp. GTD. The hybrid car uses a 1.4 liter petrol engine (1395 cm³) with a total power of 204 hp. Transmission to choose from - 5, 6-speed manual, 6-speed, 7-speed dual clutch DSG or 8-speed automatic.