Golf VII: Still setting the pace

As an introduction, this is a car that celebrates being around for 40 years as one of the most successful models of all time. To date more than 30 million Golfs have been sold worldwide and from day one, the Golf has reflected technological progress. 

Golf I
The first series production Golf rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg, Germany on 29 March 1974 and in 1978 in Uitenhage, South Africa. Where for decades the Beetle and thus rear-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive had dominated the scene, a new era had now dawned: that of the transversely mounted front engine and front-wheel drive. 

Golf II
As of August 1983 (1984 in South Africa), passengers no longer sat quite so close to each other, since space utilisation had been improved once more. It was the Golf that introduced the regulated catalytic converter (1984), anti-lock braking system (ABS) in 1986 and power-steering to the Golf class. 

Golf III
With the launch of the third generation Golf in August 1991 (1992 in South Africa), Volkswagen heralded a new era of safety. The Golf III was the first of the series to have front airbags, the first six cylinder engine (VR6) and cruise control. 

Golf IV
The fourth generation Golf was introduced in Europe in 1998, (1999 in South Africa), and debuted ESC (in 1998), the first direct-injection engine (FSI), standard head airbag (window airbags) followed in 2002. 

Golf V
This was the Golf that boasted levels of comfort and dynamic performance that left many a competitor in its class way behind when in launched in 2003 (2004 in South Africa). Golf V scored in numerous areas, including DSG transmission, bi-xenon headlights, panoramic sliding sunroof, plus the world’s first twincharger TSI engine that combined turbo and supercharger. 

Golf VI
In just four years, a further 2.85 million Golfs had been produced by the end of July 2012, based on the sixth generation of the car launched in 2008 (2009 in South Africa). More TSI engines, and a transition among the turbodiesel engines (TDI) from unit injection to the common rail system, resulted in greater dynamic performance and lower fuel consumption. 

Golf VII
In September 2012 (2013 in South Africa), Volkswagen celebrated the world premiere of a more fuel efficient Golf along with an entire range of new assistance systems on the market, some as options and others as standard.