When Volkswagen first launched the Type 1 in the late 1930s, it had no idea that the model later known as the Beetle would become such an icon.
With its unmistakable, aerodynamic design and air-cooled engine – located in the rear of the car rather than the front – the Beetle was unlike anything else on the road when it was first launched, and went on to become one of the best selling cars in history.
That was largely because of the fact that the Beetle was affordable, easy to maintain, reliable and was spacious enough to meet the needs of a family.
The post-war years saw the Beetle cement its position on the global automotive landscape and throughout the 50s and 60s, the car continued to be a bestseller.
To many, the 1960s Beetle is regarded as the best of the bunch and was given a boost in popularity by the launch of the Disney film ‘The Love Bug’, and the introduction of Herbie.
However, moving into the 1970s, the Beetle started to be left behind as newer models came to the market that were more spacious, offered better performance and which came with a more traditional water-cooled engine located under the bonnet.
Amongst those models was a car that would effectively replace the Beetle, even though the Type 1 would go on to be produced in Mexico right through to 2003.
That model was the Volkswagen Golf, which entered production in 1974 and is now in its eighth generation.
Designed by the legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Golf Mk1 couldn’t have been more different, with the bubble-like features of the Beetle being replaced by a more angular look. The move to the put the engine in the front also meant greater practicality from having a spacious boot in the rear.
The Golf was a success from the moment it hit showrooms, but it was the addition of the GTI in 1976 that turned an ordinary family hatchback into a true icon of the road.
The MK1 Golf GTI would be the car that launched the idea of a hot hatch, even though by modern day standards, it is best described now as warm.
It gave the everyday, regular driver the opportunity to get behind the wheel of something a little bit more thrilling, without getting rid of the practicality that was also required.
The Mk1 Golf – in both standard and GTI form – remains one of the most popular versions of the car, even though it has evolved hugely through the years.
The Mk2 saw an increase in size, whilst every generation that has followed since has seen improvements in technology and safety to meet the needs of drivers.
Estate and cabriolet versions of the Golf catered for different tastes and requirements, whilst high-performance models like the R32 from the early 2000s introduced four-wheel drive into the mix.
In Europe in particular, the Golf has consistently been one of the best-selling cars year after year and even now at a time when people are increasingly moving over to SUVs and sales of EVs rise, it remains one of the most popular available in VW showrooms.
Having recently celebrated its 50th birthday, the Golf has shown itself to be as worthy of the title of The People’s car as the Beetle ever was, with constant evolution and adaptability meaning it remains a car for everyone.
Whether you’re a student buying your first car, a parent dealing with the joys of the school run, or a car enthusiast looking for a sporty and engaging hot hatch in which to enjoy a B-road run, there’s a model in the Golf range to suit.
- Volkswagen