* Volkswagen Golf Mk 1 1974 - 1984
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 2 1985 - 1992
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 3 1991 - 1998
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 4 1997 - 2006
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 5 2003 - 2009
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 6 2009 - present
It replaced the VW Beetle, but not straight away. VW Beetle production kept going until 1978 in Germany and until much later in Mexico.
This transition from air cooled to water cooled engines was in part thanks to Volkswagen's access to Audi technology.
Here is something to ponder [and may win you a pub quiz]: What has the Golf and its variants [Bora, Jetta, Scirocco, Passat] all have in common?
The answer is easy if you know that Jetta is the German for 'Trade Wind'. The word Golf does not refer to the pleasant game which Europeans beat Americans at. It refers to the Gulf Stream, the warm water that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and that flows to the north west coast of Europe.
Volkswagen has really made an effort to make the Golf R an exciting not only for its current drivers but also for new drivers who may not be familiar with VW yet. With that the German auto maker has added more technology features than the predecessor, the R32. On top of the new and improved dynamic all wheel drive, the Golf R is also equipped with DCC or dynamic chassis control. This gives the driver three options for the type of ride they would like that can be manual changed with the push of a button. The system is set up to adapt the suspension damping per road condition, allowing for even greater handling and control.
The Golf R is not completely different than the original R32 though. Upgraded sport suspension, larger 17 inch brake system, 18 inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, chrome tail pipe and a full body kit are characteristics that the Volkswagen R series has had regardless of the year. The interior cabin is set up with the driver in mind. A fine mix of luxury comfort with sportiness creates an upscale yet tuner feel. Heated leather sport seats, multi-functional leather wrapped steering wheel, aluminum door sills and stainless steel pedals are outfitting the Golf R with the German quality finish work that is expected of higher end cars like Audi or BMW.
