MiniAutoHobby: VW Golf

Thursday 17 September 2009
In May, 1974 Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front wheel drive long-range replacement of the Beetle. Early versions included a now-sought-after 'swallowtail' rear end and 'smoothie' hood. 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 Volkswagen Caddy. All variants proved instantly popular with the only notable technical flaw being the poor braking in RHD models, due to the master cylinder for the brakes being placed on the left for LHD cars, as Volkswagen never intended the Golf to be sold abroad. In North America, the Golf Mk1 was sold as the Volkswagen Rabbit, except in Mexico, where it was sold as the Volkswagen Caribe. As of 2008, the Golf Mk1 is still being produced in South Africa as the Volkswagen Citi Golf.
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 (100 km/h) in 7.1 seconds, posting a record 15.5 1/4 time at 90.5 mph. EPA estimate 18 mpg (city) or 25 mpg (highway), with 261 miles per tank (city) and 363 miles 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. 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. The Mk3 continued to be sold until 1999 in 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 Multiport Injection and the 1.8 liter engine was upgraded to 2.0).
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 3.2L VR6 engined four-wheel-drive Golf R32 introduced in 2004, a 3.2 L four-wheel drive Golf VR6 4Motion version available succeeding the Mk3 VR6 which used a 2.8 L VR6 and only had front-wheel drive, as well as the famous 1.8T (turbo) 4cyl. that is shared between Audi and VW models.
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 Rabbit. The North American base model is powered by a 2.5L 5-cylinder engine. A GTI version is powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.0 FSI engine, producing 200PS. Volkswagen also introduced the "Fast" marketing ploy for the North American market, dedicated to the "fast" that lives inside every driver. Drivers who purchase new GTI Mk5s 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.