Volkswagen Golf – Humble Hatch Hits Half Century

The Volkswagen Golf is arguably the only car you’ll ever need. There, we said it. In fact, aside from perhaps moving a four-seater sofa there’s not a lot it can’t do, and besides, unless you’re a delivery driver for DFS you’re not going to be carting oversized furniture around on the regular. From daily driver and family runabout to off-road adventurer and track day weapon the VW Golf is all things to all people. Hell, they even made a 640bhp version for a Pikes Peak caper! Well, the humble German hatchback turns 50 this year so we thought we’d blow up some balloons, bake a cake and make a little fuss as the Volkswagen Golf celebrates half a century on the road.

Still going strong today, proof of the Golf’s enduring popularity, it’s one of the most recognisable names in the industry and remains one of the best selling models of all time, and we’re not just talking about Volkswagens here, we mean best selling models, period. With so many on the market then, both classic and modern, there’s a lot to choose from should you have a wish to scratch any Golf shaped itch, and scratch you should because a decent Volkswagen Golf may just be the last car you buy.

Breaking cover in early 1974 the Golf was VW’s replacement for its ageing Beetle and the German giant needed a fresh approach. Eschewing the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive setup of the Bug, the Golf would feature a front-mounted, water-cooled motor driving the front wheels instead, a layout that would set the trend for future Golfs. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign the three door family hatchback was released to critical and popular acclaim, but the best was yet to come…

To mark the occasion then we thought we’d pick five of what we think are the best classic Golfs to ever roll out of the factory, so get the kettle on and grab a slice of cake as we blow out the candles on our five favourite Volkswagen Golf models.

Mk1 Golf GTI

When it comes to setting benchmarks there are certain accepted facts as to the ideal by which all future versions are judged. Those seminal moments that have become generally accepted as the quintessential. Whether it be the Japanese and their Kaizen method of manufacturing or Bill Gates and his revolutionary Windows based operating system, to give just two examples, everything that follows takes influence from that original, authoritative concept, cementing it as a standard – a yardstick by which all will be measured.

We’ve seen it countless times in the automotive industry. From the Porsche 911 to BMW’s super saloons there are myriad models that have inspired and continue to inspire generations, and one car that can take a huge bow in that respect is the very first Golf GTI. It may not have been the first hot hatch but it’s certainly one of the most important in terms of influence. On sale in ’76, just two years after the original Golf hit the streets, the GTI utilised a 1.6-litre, fuel injected four-cylinder that increased the car’s power output to 108bhp. VW engineers combined this with lower, stiffer suspension and meatier wheels and tyres, all wrapped up in some muscular body accoutrements and a legend was born. You know the rest.

Mk2 Golf GTI

Although larger and heavier than its predecessor (which actually made the car more practical) the Mk2 Golf GTI retained its performance credentials thanks to a larger 1.8-litre engine. Three years after its release VW offered the Mk2 GTI with a 16-valve variant that upped power to just shy of 140bhp and it was a move that only strengthened the Golf’s rep and street cred and these cars remain the most sought after.

VW would also release a five-door version in ’85, further improving the car’s practicality and usability. Here was a nippy little hatchback that was still cool enough for car meets but could also ferry the kids to and from school, all with a week’s shopping in the boot. The Mk2 Golf was everything a good sequel should be: harder, better, faster, stronger, but sadly the next generation of GTI fell a little short of emulating that inherent drive-ability and public appetite began to wane.

Mk3 Golf VR6

At face value, in ’91 the Mk3 Golf GTI may have been a tad underwhelming compared to the previous two incarnations (we actually think it deserves more praise) but performance Golf nuts were still catered to in the form of the Golf VR6. The thinking here was to drop a narrow angle 2.8-litre, six-cylinder into the Mk3 Golf body in 1992, with a 2.9 version appearing two years later. With 174 and 187bhp respectively these were the most powerful production Golfs to date (if you ignore the incredibly rare 1.8 G60 Limited Mk2 that is). Not only that but the VR6 elevated the once humble hatchback beyond the realms of family grocery getter and into sporty executive territory.

Suddenly BMW buyers had another car to consider when eyeing up their next potential purchase and the Golf VR6 made a lot of sense to a lot of people. Well specced, well built and with a 155mph top speed it was quick enough to inject excitement into all but the most mundane of commutes. The VR6 was, and still is, a great addition to the Golf canon, despite its penchant for understeer.

Mk4 Golf R32

Although the Mk4 signalled a more refined, higher quality version of the Golf the GTI continued to languish, again unable to recapture the magic of the first two generations, but like the VR6 above, a spicier version was on hand to offer some racy redemption. 2002 saw the introduction of the Golf R32 – the first time we would see the now famed ‘R’ moniker. Grabbing the six-cylinder ball and running with it the R32 would pair a 3.2-litre V6 with all-wheel drive to create something rather bloody special.

Not only did the car have bona fide performance credentials thanks to that 240bhp six-pot driving all four wheels but it looked the part, too, with lowered suspension and a muscular body kit hinting at the beans the car had on tap. The R32 was a hit and the nomenclature would continue on to denote it as the Golf of choice for discerning horsepower junkies.

Mk6 Golf R

Dropping the numbers from its badge due to no longer having a 3.2-litre engine under the bonnet, the Mk6 (essentially a re-engineered fifth gen) Golf R now only displaced 2.0-litres from its four-cylinder engine. But for all you “there’s no replacement for displacement” lot we would argue that there most certainly is, and that substitute, ladies and gentlemen, is forced induction.

The 270 horsepower, four-wheel drive Golf R, when coupled with a six-speed DSG gearbox, could dispatch 60mph in five-and-a-half seconds and reach a top speed of 170mph. This is a  Golf we’re talking about! Insane figures for VW’s modest hatchback but figures that have cemented the R as a bit of a legend and a favourite among tuners thanks to the ability to squeeze quite a bit of extra oomph out of the turbocharged motor.

OK, so we now realise we’ve pretty much just listed the best performance versions of the Golf. Our bad, but you can essentially pick any Volkswagen Golf model and you’ll have an incredibly capable, well put together car that will outlast you if looked after. What began as a humble hatchback very quickly became an aspirational car, and that’s still the case today, 50 years down the line, and with myriad models to choose from here at Car & Classic you should have no problem picking your very own favourite. Who knows, it may just be a car for life.