What does VW Golf stand for?
The Volkswagen Golf ( listen (help·info)) 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),...
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 is the history of the Volkswagen Golf?
In March 1974, the first Golf rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg. The advertising starts with the slogan: “The new popular sport: Golf” – a vision that was to come true. The first generation makes its mark: the Beetle's successor is sold 6.99 million times. Yes, there is a successor!
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).
Why is the Golf called a Golf?
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.
Why did VW call a car Golf?
The Volkswagen Golf is actually the German word for “gulf”—as in “the Gulf stream.” In fact, naming cars after prominent winds is kind of a thing for VW. “Passat” is German for “trade wind.” “Jetta” is German for “jet stream.” The Scirocco is named after a hurricane-force wind that originates in the Sahara Desert.
What does Golf stand for car?
The original term was 'Italian Gran Turismo Iniezione,' and it let drivers know the vehicle would be a fuel-injected variant capable of higher power than its rivals. As time went on, the term was adapted to mean 'Grand Tourer Injection' and became synonymous with new models like the VW Golf GTI.
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.
Why is it called a Passat?
Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is a neuropsychological test used to assess capacity and rate of information processing and sustained and divided attention. Originally the test was known as the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT).
What does the German word Tiguan mean?
tigerThe Volkswagen Tiguan name is a combination of the German words for “tiger” (Tiger) and “iguana” (Leguan).
What does GTI stand for?
Grand Touring InjectionGTI 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. GTI was meant to power long-distance journeys without sacrificing performance by using a new direct fuel injection system.
What does GTI and TSI stand for?
The Volkswagen turbocharged stratified injected (TSI) engine is a lightweight, high-power, fuel-efficient four-cylinder traditional combustion engine. It is found in some form on most Volkswagen vehicles, such as the Atlas, Tiguan, and Passat.
What does GTI and TDI stand for?
GTI, which stands for Grand Tourer Injection, is Volkswagen Golf's performance model. TDI, which stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, is Volkswagen's identification of a diesel engine.
When did VW stop making the Rabbit?
The 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.
When did VW change the Rabbit to the Golf?
VW decided to revive the Rabbit name for the 2006 model year to boost sales of its entry model and waged advertising campaigns using bunnies. The decision got a lukewarm reception in the press. VW first launched the Rabbit in 1975 and used the name until adopting the Golf name for the redesign in 1984.
Is the VW Rabbit fast?
Just when the Rabbit's lump starts to sing, you have to shift. Engine aside, the overall driving experience is quite good." The Chicago Sun-Times backs this up with, "The smooth five-shooter doesn't make the 3,071-3,137-pound Rabbit all that fast (0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds) but provides lively enough performance."
Who designed the Volkswagen Golf?
Volkswagen Chief Designer Klaus Bischoff: “The step from the Beetle to the Golf was revolutionary. With the switch from the air-cooled rear engine to the water-cooled front engine, a completely new vehicle layout was created at the time.”. Round became angular – a paradigm shift.
Where was the Volkswagen Golf 2 made?
Series production of the second Golf begins at the Wolfsburg plant in June 1983.
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.
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).
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?
When was the golf class invented?
Since its introduction in 1974, it has been regarded as the proverbial precursor of the compact class, which was soon coined the “Golf Class”. Since then, everyone else has had to compete with the Golf. And not just locally but, globally, because the Golf is a worldwide bestseller. Consumption label.
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.
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).
Answer
It's generally accepted that the word golf comes from the Dutch word for club, ‘kolf’.
More about why golf is called golf
Trading was common between the Dutch and Scots through the 14 th – 17 th centuries and it’s thought that Dutch sailors may have brought ‘kolf’ clubs with them.
Overview
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…
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.
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…
Seventh generation (Mk7, Typ 5G; 2012)
The seventh-generation Golf had its debut in September 2012 at the Paris Motor Show.
The Golf VII, Typ 5G used the new MQB platform, shared with the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. It was slightly larger than the Mk6 while managing to be approximately 100 kg lighter, depending on engine …