Volkswagen's Popular Model Marks its 50th Anniversary Next Year

Volkswagen is gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its popular Golf model next year. This iconic vehicle has shaped mobility not just in Germany, but in many other regions of the world as well.

The debut of the first Volkswagen Golf in 1974 marked a revolutionary shift in the auto industry, succeeding the legendary Beetle. Unlike its predecessor, the Golf featured front-wheel drive (instead of a rear-mounted engine) and a transformative overall concept, thanks to a large hatchback and foldable rear seats. The straight-line design, created by Giorgetto Giugiaro, helped Volkswagen adopt a new style, which continued in its successors. The Golf quickly became a true “Volkswagen,” reaching its first million units by 1976. Today, with over 37 million vehicles delivered, it stands as the most successful compact car in Europe and the best-selling Volkswagen of all time.

Golf has always been a reliable companion in everyday life, embodying versatility, functionality, reliability, and quality. Over the decades, the portfolio expanded with additional variants such as the Golf GTI, Golf Cabriolet, Golf Variant, and many others. Each new generation of the model incorporated modern technologies, new safety concepts, and comfort features. Volkswagen Golf has democratized technologies like the catalytic converter, anti-lock braking system, airbags, cruise control, electronic assistance systems, and partial and plug-in hybrid drives.

In its jubilee year of 2024, Volkswagen is set to present the evolutionary development of the eighth-generation Golf. This new iteration will feature visually enhanced functions, new assistance systems, power sources, and next-generation infotainment systems and software. The unveiling of the new Golf is just weeks away.

Volkswagen Classic will also be celebrating the Golf’s anniversary year, showcasing historical Golf models from the Volkswagen collection. From January 31 to February 4, 2024, generations I to VII of the Golf will augment Volkswagen’s display at the “Salon Rétromobile” exhibition in Paris, France. Following this, from February 2 to 4, 2024, Volkswagen will exhibit the Golf I and the unique predecessor of the Golf, the 1969 EA 276 concept car, at the Bremen Classic Motorshow.