The Beetle killer - the first VW Golf in the first test

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The Beetle killer - the first VW Golf in the first test

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Created on May 22, 1974

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Volkswagen Gruppe

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Volkswagen

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Volkswagen / Autostadt

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VW Golf LS (1974) - on the cover of 'hobby' magazine

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VW Golf LS (1974) - lifts a leg when cornering sharply

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VW Golf LS (1974) - the rev counter is not standard in the LS either

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VW Golf LS (1974) - Access to the rear compartment

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VW Golf LS (1974) - the trunk is said to have a huge capacity

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VW Golf LS (1974) - the transverse-mounted four-cylinder engine is a prime example of accessibility and maintainability

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VW Golf (1974) - the initially sportiest version had 70 hp

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VW Golf (1974) - filigree bumpers of the first version

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VW Golf (1974) - Dashboard of the original Golf

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VW Golf (1978) - the start of a million-dollar success - created on the drawing board of Giorgetto Giugiaro

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VW Golf (1974) - happy driving on the test track

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VW Golf GLS (1976) - available as a three- and five-door model, as a GLS with even more equipment

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VW Golf (1975) - spacious trunk, but whether the boat really fits in there with all its accessories

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VW Golf LS (1974) - the five-door version of the originally fastest Golf

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VW Golf (1974) - a first-generation Golf

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VW Golf (1974) - the million-seller and thus probably Giugiaro's most popular design

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VW Golf (1978) - design by Giugiaro, after the first facelift with rounder bumpers

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Summary

Even before the start of production, newspapers and magazines were able to drive the first VW Golf in 1974, including the magazine 'hobby'. The editors were enthusiastic, even if they would have liked a little more noise comfort and a few small improvements. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report and shows the early Golf in many illustrations.

This article contains the following chapters

There has never been a better VW than the Golf
With 50 or 70 hp
Not fancy, but practical
Easy to maintain
Plenty of space in the interior
Rear seating position and visibility not optimal
Excellent ergonomics
Comfortable interior, loud fan
Preliminary conclusion - potential to dominate the class
Equipment as required
No other car is easier to drive
Neutral handling
Direct steering, thudding tires

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

After many years and many unsuccessful attempts to build an attractive car other than the Beetle, the penny seems to have dropped at VW, albeit with the help of Audi NSU. (The Golf was spotted on the Ingolstadt test site as early as June 1973). After the Passat wave and the Scirocco wave, the Golf crusher is now upon us. With this small, not particularly chic, but technically outstanding car, VW has the chance to replace the Beetle in all honors. Just in time for the big car slump, Wolfsburg has finally succeeded in developing the long-awaited mini-VW. What's more, with the Golf, VW finally has a model in its stable that can not only keep up in the increasingly crowded lower middle class, but, according to our first impression, is also far superior to the competition.

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