The Volkswagen Golf turns 45

The Volkswagen Golf turns 45 before its eighth generation reaches the market.

The Volkswagen Golf turns 45 and, according to the brand, is the “most successful European car”. It hit the market on 29 March 1974 with the Volkswagen Golf MKI. The German brand’s plant in Wolfsburg “greased” the machinery and began producing what would years later become the manufacturer’s best-selling model.

The car that became the successor to the legendary Volkswagen Beetle went on to sell more than 35 million units worldwide. As Volkswagen points out, “the new Volkswagen Golf has been sold somewhere in the world every 41 seconds, every day and without interruption”.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Volkswagen Golf turns 45, Ralf Brandstäter, operations director of the German manufacturer, has noted that “the Volkswagen Golf is the heart of our brand. It represents progress and technology like no other car”.

7 generations of the Volkswagen Golf

“Over seven generations, the Golf has contributed to the development of Volkswagen as a brand and as a group, until becoming one of the most important car producers in the world”. Enthusiasts of this compact model will have to wait until 2020 to meet its eighth generation.

The 45th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf has become an important occasion, and the director of the Wolfsburg plant did not want to miss the chance, stating that “in 1974, our workers faced the challenge of replacing the Beetle with the Golf”.

The Volkswagen Golf, which has just turned 45, has become one of the key compact models for the German brand.

Features of the Volkswagen Golf MK I

Now that the Volkswagen Golf is celebrating its birthday, it is worth recalling the features it had when it reached the market on 29 March 1974. 45 years is nothing, but how has the Volkswagen Golf changed?

Although the first Golf rolled off the production line on 29 March, it was not until 8 July of the same year that it became available at dealerships. In terms of design, Giugiaro put his signature on the first generation of the Volkswagen Golf. It measures 3.82 metres long, 1.61 metres wide and 1.41 metres high.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSuFKqzYCh8

The Volkswagen Golf MK I was available with two engines: a 1.1-litre four-cylinder with 50 CV, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 70 CV. It was front-wheel drive and came as standard with a 4-speed manual gearbox. More comfort-minded drivers of the era could choose a 3-speed automatic gearbox.

The top speed of the Volkswagen Golf that turns 45 reached 140 km/h with the 50 CV version and manual gearbox, and rose to 160 km/h if the 70 CV option was chosen.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €