Did you know the Volkswagen Golf was named after a horse?
If you're like most car geeks, you know that Volkswagen has a thing for winds when it comes to naming cars. Sirocco is a Mediterranean wind, Passat is a trade wind, Jetta refers to the Jet stream, and Golf is what the Germans call the Gulf Stream. But get this — shocking new revelations suggest the Golf was actually named after a horse!
What kind of car is a golf?
The Volkswagen Golf ( listen ) is a compact car produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across seven generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – such as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada (Mk1 and Mk5), and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).
How did the golf and polo get their names?
The Golf refers to the Gulf Stream, Jetta is German for "jet stream," Passat means "trade wind," the Scirocco is named after Sirocco, a Mediterranean wind, and the Polo references polar winds. And I always thought the Golf and Polo were named after the sports. . .
What does the golf and Jetta stand for?
The Golf refers to the Gulf Stream, Jetta is German for "jet stream," Passat means "trade wind," the Scirocco is named after Sirocco, a Mediterranean wind, and the Polo references polar winds.
Why did Volkswagen call it a Golf?
(Image source: Volkswagen) First introduced in 1974, the Golf derives its name from the sport of the same name. However, it also stands for the German word for 'Gulf Stream' ocean current, which is golfstorm. The Golf is the third best-selling nameplate in the world, with VW having sold 35 million units.
What are VW cars named after?
Beetle — Since the Beetle was the first VW model ever made, it was originally just called “The Volkswagen.” Later it got its name due to its iconic styling, which looks like a beetle bug.
Why is the Golf called a Rabbit?
In the US, however, the Mark 1 Golf was called the Rabbit, because it was meant to be small and nimble, and 'Golf" sounded too upscale for an economy car aimed at young buyers. Years later, they would also introduce the VW Fox, carrying on that theme.
Is there a car called a Golf?
The Golf has won awards, including the World Car of the Year in 2009, with the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 and in 2013 with the Volkswagen Golf Mk7. Along with the Renault Clio and the Vauxhall Astra, the Golf is one of only three cars who had won European Car of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2013.
What dies BMW stand for?
Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbHThe BMW name stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. BMW was created in 1917 from the Munich firm Rapp-Motorenwerke. The company was incorporated into Knorr-Bremse AG in 1920 before being refounded as BMW AG in 1922. It was the successor of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG, founded in 1916.
Why is it called a Passat?
Launched in 1973, the Passat was the first modern-era Volkswagen, and took its name from the German word “passatwinde,” or trade winds. Another in the Greek mythology series, Phaeton was a god who almost lost control of the chariot that pulled the sun across the sky.
What does R stand for Golf?
RacingThe R in Golf R stands for Racing.
When did VW stop making the Rabbit?
2009The Rabbit name lived on for about 10 years, and then Volkswagen decided it was time to give it the same name here that it had everywhere else. That is, of course, until that brief time from 2006 to 2009 when the company mysteriously chose to bring back the Rabbit.
What is a Golf 1?
The Volkswagen Golf Mk1 is the first generation of a small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen.
Who invented Golf?
Charles Blair MacDonald, who attended St. Andrews University and learned the game at the St. Andrews Golf Links, is considered the father of American golf course architects. In 1893, MacDonald built the Chicago Golf Club, which was the country's first 18-hole course.
What does GTI stand for?
Grand Touring InjectionWhat does Volkswagen GTI stand for? GTI stands for Grand Touring Injection. Volkswagen uses for its direct fuel injection system. Over 40 years ago, GTI technology was first deployed in the 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
What is the Golf?
golf, a cross-country game in which a player strikes a small ball with various clubs from a series of starting points (teeing grounds) into a series of holes on a course. The player who holes his ball in the fewest strokes wins.
Are all VW named after winds?
Like The Golf, most Volkswagen names are based on winds. It is also a sedan made by VW in the 1970s and 1980s and from 2008. Wind suggests speed, smoothness and silence. The winds chosen for VW names are all subtropical, Mediterranean or desert-based.
What does Tiguan mean in German?
tigerThe Volkswagen Tiguan name is a combination of the German words for “tiger” (Tiger) and “iguana” (Leguan).
How did the Volkswagen Beetle get its name?
The Type 1 was officially given the name "Beetle" (from "der Käfer," German for beetle, which was used in brochures). That year, Disney released the first of six movies featuring Herbie the Love Bug, an anthropomorphic 1963 Beetle with a racing-style number 53 on the hood.
What does Ghia mean in cars?
Keep scrolling … The name came from Carrozzeria Ghia, an Italian coachbuilder established by Giacinto Ghia in Turin in 1916, whose best-known product was the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia of 1955. Ford bought Ghia in 1970.
What car starts with "e"?
Lotus's start with E. And VW names its cars after winds. By Chris Perkins. Oct 31, 2018. Volkswagen. Volkswagen has always employed somewhat puzzling names for its cars. Many seem like nonsensical words, but as Alex Goy explains for Carfection there's logic behind most all of VW's names. Many of Volkswagen's most famous models are named after winds.
What does VW name their SUVs?
All of VW's SUVs have names that start with the letter T, and VW also uses Latin words and derivatives for some of its cars. The new Arteon, for example, is a variation on the Latin word for art, artem. But, check out Carfection's video for even more VW naming trivia. Also in the course of researching for this story, ...
Did VW sell the Golf as the Rabbit?
So in the mid-1970s, its early water-cooled days, VW was fond of winds. It didn't stick with that theme all too long. In the US, it sold the Golf as the Rabbit for a number of years, and it also had the Fox, which was based on the Brazilian-market Gol.
How many miles does a 2015 Volkswagen E golf drive?
The production version of the 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. According to VW the e-Golf has a practical all-electric range of 130 to 190 km (81 to 118 mi), with an official NEDC cycle of 190 km (120 mi), and the winter range is expected to be 80 to 120 km (50 to 75 mi). The 2015 e-Golf has an official EPA rated all-electric range of 134 km (83 mi), and a combined fuel economy of 116 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe) for an energy consumption of 29 kW-hrs/100 mi. The EPA rating for city driving is 126 MPGe and 105 MPGe in highway. Production of vehicles destined for retail customers began in March 2014.
How many golfs were built in 2013?
Historically, the Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling model and is among the world's top three best-selling models, with more than thirty million built as of June 2013. Initially, most Golfs were 3-door hatchbacks.
How fast is a Golf GTE?
The Golf GTE has a top speed of 217 km/h (135 mp h) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in under 7.6 seconds. The vehicle can be recharged from a Type 2 charging point in approximately 2 hours, or from a standard 230 V wall outlet in approximately 4 hours.
Where is the GTI made?
The GTI version is the only version on sale in Mexico. The saloon/sedan version, again widely marketed Volkswagen as the Jetta, is assembled in Germany, South Africa, as well as Mexico. It is marketed in certain markets, including European markets and Mexico as Bora. It was followed in 2007 by a new Golf Variant.
When was the Mk4 introduced?
Main article: Volkswagen Golf Mk4. The Golf Mk4 was first introduced in August 1997, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, again VW Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March 1999.
What is the TFT on a Golf?
In terms of interior technology, the Golf now features a 12.3" T FT display as an option that is similar to Audi models and known as "Virtual Cockpit", full LED lights, animated tail indicators as an option (also used in Audi models), etc.
When was the Golf TCR made?
Volkswagen Motorsport, the motorsport division of the brand, built the Golf TCR touring car in 2015 for use in various international and national competitions which use TCR regulations. In 2016 the car was updated and renamed Golf GTI TCR.
Why Did VW Bring Back The Rabbit Name For The 5th Generation Golf?
As mentioned earlier in this article, VW dropped the Rabbit name for the launch of the second generation Golf in 1984.
What Is The Difference Between The VW Golf & Rabbit?
Beyond the badge/name – and any other ‘market localisations’ e.g. putting the steering wheel on the correct side of the car or having lights that comply with requirements – there is no difference, at least from an underlying mechanical perspective.
Conclusion
To recap, the VW Golf was originally called ‘Rabbit’ in America because Volkswagen believed that the association with the sport of golf might hamper sales of the car (even though we know the car isn’t named after the sport – as per this recent article we released).
What is the GTI edition 25?
Shortly thereafter, the Golf introduced the 6-speed transmission. On its 25th birthday, a special GTI model with 132 kW / 180 hp, the Golf GTI "Edition 25", which is now in great demand as a collector's item, is launched. In 2002, Volkswagen presents the most sporty Golf to date: the 250 km/h fast Golf R32.
What was the first manufacturer to break through class boundaries?
With it, Volkswagen achieved a new quality standard in the segment and was the first manufacturer to break through the class boundaries. At the same time, the democratization of safety continued with the debut of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in the Golf (1998).
How many Golf 7s were made?
Golf VII, built from 2012 to 2019: At the end of his career, around six million Golf VII will have been produced. Something’s different – but it looks damn good! The seventh Golf generation, launched in 2012, is the first Volkswagen model series based on the modular transverse kit (MQB).
Where was the Volkswagen Golf 2 made?
Series production of the second Golf begins at the Wolfsburg plant in June 1983.
When is World Refugee Day 2021?
2021-06-17. After six years of intensive refugee work, the results of the Volkswagen Group’s refugee aid campaign are positive, as the Volkswagen Group announced on World Refugee Day on June 20. ... 2021-06-11.
When was the Golf VI built?
Golf VI, built between 2008 and 2012: 2.85 million of the sixth generation Golf will be sold. The Golf VI marks the beginning of a quiet revolution: with its premiere, safety technologies from the luxury class – and thus also a touch of luxury – are moving into the compact vehicle segment.
When did the Golf become the best selling car in Germany?
In 2003, the Golf marks the milestone of becoming the best-selling car from Germany for almost three decades. It is regarded as “das Auto” par excellence, as the only vehicle in the compact class with a classless status. And the fifth Golf?
What is the name of the Toyota Camry?
Toyota Camry. Toyota's Camry name originally appeared as the Celica Camry in 1979 but became an independent model in 1982. Since then, the Camry has become ubiquitous on the road around the world and, in the US, has been its best-selling passenger car since 1997.
Why is the Mazda 5 called the Miata?
In Europe, it was the MX-5 as Mazda believed the continent was more used to alphanumeric names, and it was the MX-5 Miata in North America because Mazda believed Americans prefer an actual name.
What is the Porsche Cayman?
Porsche Cayman. It's fairly well known that the Porsche Boxster name is made up as a portmanteau of boxer, for the engine type, and roadster, for the body style. However, Porsche went for a snappier name for the coupe version of the little mid-engined sports car.
What does the word "sentra" mean?
The word Sentra sounds like central as well as sentry, which evokes images of safety.". Nissan's midsized and full-size sedans carry on the Latin-sounding name convention. Altima is derived from the Latin word "altus" to suggest "a higher order.".
What is Subaru Impreza?
6. Subaru Impreza. The word Impreza is, supposedly, a coined word - as in minted by Subaru. According to lore, it's derived from the Italian word impresa, meaning a motto or a badge, or a maxim or a crest, depending on your dictionary. However, Impreza is a word in Polish and, in its own, means 'party.'.
What does Cadillac Escalade mean?
Cadillac Escalade. Escalade is a grand-sounding name that has been with us since 1998. The actual meaning of the word Cadillac picked up on is as aggressive as it is grand, though. It goes back to medieval warfare and names the "act of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders.".
What is the name of the car that eats Mustangs?
Chevrolet Camaro. When the Camaro was launched, GM managers told reporters that a Camaro was "a small animal that eats Mustangs.". Later, it was reported that the name was pulled from Heath's French and English Dictionary as a term that translated to "friend" or "comrade.".
What words were used before dictionaries?
Before the creation of dictionaries, there was no standardised spelling of any word. People wrote phonetically. Goff, gowf, golf, goif, goiff, gof, gowfe, gouff and golve have all been found in Scottish documents. The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'.
What is the golf course called in Scotland?
The Loudoun Gowf Club maintains the tradition of this terminology. In Gaelic the word is 'goilf' and a golf course is 'raon goilf' or 'cùrsa goilf'. Some claim 'golf' is a purely Scottish term, derived from Scots words 'golf', 'golfand' and 'golfing', which mean 'to strike' as in 'to cuff' or 'to drive forward with violence'.
What does "colf" mean in golf?
Golf, colf, kolf and chole are all presumed to have originally meant 'club' and are associated with the Middle High German word for club, 'kolbe', (Der Kolben), and the Dutch word 'kolven' for the game of modern kolf. The history in the Rules of Thistle Golf Club documented this origin as far back as 1824. It is important to note that the word ...
What is the most common word for golf?
The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'. Certainly, the word 'gouf' is found extensively in written texts, long after 'golf' was the acknowledged game.
When was golf invented?
On balance, however, it more likely that the 'golf' examples date to 1460 and the full details are discussed here.
Where did the word "golf" come from?
It is now generally accepted that the 'golf' is derived from an old word meaning 'club', though this in turn may have older cognate roots dating back to ancient times. The first documented mention of the word 'golf' is in Edinburgh on 6th March 1457, when King James II banned 'ye golf', in an attempt to encourage archery practice, ...
Where was the first golf hole in Scotland?
Aberdeen Queens Links - site of first golf hole in Scotland- with Broad Hill on left. Most golf clubs in 16th and 17th century were made by bowers (bow-makers) whose skills made them ideally suited to the job. The names of very few of them have down to us. Recently two more 17th century club makers were found.
Overview
Awards and recognition
• The Golf Mk3 won the 1992 European Car of the Year award.
• In April 2010 Kelley Blue Book included the VW Golf TDI (clean diesel) among its Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.
• The Golf Mk7 was named "The All The Car You'll Ever Need Car of the Year 2012" by Top Gear (magazine).
First generation (Mk1/A1, Typ 17; 1974)
In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, long-range replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. Later Golf variations included the Golf GTI (introduced in June 1976 with a fuel-injected 1.6-litre engine capable of 180 km/h (110 mph)), a diesel-powered version (from September 1976), the Jetta notchback saloon version (from October 1979), the …
Second generation (Mk2/A2, Typ 19E/1G; 1983)
September 1983 saw the introduction of the second-generation Golf (Mk2) that grew slightly in terms of wheelbase, exterior and interior dimensions, while retaining, in a more rounded form, the Mk1's overall look. Although it was available on the home market and indeed most other left-hand drive markets by the end of 1983, it was not launched in the UK until March 1984.
Third generation (Mk3/A3, Typ 1H/1E/1V; 1991)
The third-generation Golf (Mk3) made its home-market debut in August 1991 and again grew slightly in comparison with its immediate predecessor, while its wheelbase remained unchanged.
New engines included the first Turbocharged Direct Injection (TD) diesel engine in a Golf, and a narrow-angle 2.8-litre VR6 engine. US Environmental Protection A…
Fourth generation (Mk4/A4, Typ 1J; 1997)
The Golf Mk4 was first introduced in August 1997, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, again VW Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March 1999. There was no Mk4-derived Cabriolet, although the Mk3 Cabriolet received a facelift in late 1999 that consisted of bumpers, grill and headlights similar to those of the Mark IV models.
Fifth generation (Mk5/A5, Typ 1K; 2003)
The Golf Mk5 was introduced in Europe in the autumn of 2003, reaching the UK market in early 2004. In North America, Volkswagen brought back the Rabbit nameplate when it introduced the vehicle in 2006. In Canada, the Golf is still the prevalent nameplate of the fifth generation (though both Rabbit and Golf have both been used historically). The North American base model is powered by a …
Sixth generation (Mk6/A6, Typ 5K; 2008)
Volkswagen based the Golf Mk6 on the existing PQ35 platform from the Golf Mk5. This vehicle was debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
The Mk6 Golf was designed by Volkswagen's chief designer Walter de'Silva. The design is said to be more aerodynamic, helping fuel efficiency, and is quieter than its predecessor. Following criticism of the downgraded interior trim qualit…