With the facelift of the Volkswagen Golf 7 just around the corner (and billed as a “major update“), the German automaker has kicked off a new video series entitled “evolution of an icon”.
The first instalment, naturally, features the Golf Mk1, which first hit dealerships way back in 1974.
“There are only a few cars in the world other than the Golf which have so consistently continued to develop their design from generation to generation,” said Klaus Bischoff, head of design at Volkswagen.
“Vehicles which successfully manage an evolution of their design over decades have the potential to one day be celebrated as an icon. The most prominent example of such a development is the Porsche 911. In the high-volume models segment, however, the Golf is clearly a member of the automobile Hall of Fame.”
The first generation of the Golf was an immediate sales success, following up after the popular Beetle and eventually selling some 6,99 million units.
“The step from the Beetle to the Golf was revolutionary. The change from the air-cooled rear engine to the water-cooled front engine created a completely new vehicle layout,” added Bischoff.
The styling, too, was quite a departure from the norm.
“The main design elements of the Golf Mk1 were the side profile with its upright, solid C-pillar; the distinctive wheel arches; and the horizontal front with the slim grille and downwardly protruding head-lights – present to this very day in every Golf.”
Watch the first episode of the Volkswagen Golf series below…
