Sunday Special: The Volkswagen Golf is 40

Yes. The Volkswagen Golf has gotten old. First launched a good forty years ago it has gone to be Europe's favourite smal car and those that aspiring Malaysians want to be seen in before they can afford Audi, BMW or Mercedes Benz. Anyway, here is a pictorial of all seven generations of the iconic, little (but not any more) hatchback.



Mk 1

Mk II

This folks, is my personal favourite Golf. The size is just right for a hot hatch - and light in weight too.

Mk III

Golf Harlequin edition - no..not for normal people.

Mk IV

This is when the Golf gained weight even though it looked decently good. But engine technology wasn't there yet. Even the GTI was a slow pudgy animal. First of the warbling VR5 and VR6s though. 

Mk V

Golf got its mojo back. GTI gets the DSG box and a turbocharged engine. Handled well and was pretty fast. However it was complex to build and cost VW abit.

Mk VI

As good to drive as the previous one, but cheaper to build for VW. Some quality issues for the lower powered DSG models and in the end, to me that is, came and went pretty quickly.

Mk VII

After 40 years - a lower, wider looking Golf. Huge compared to where it came from, but still very relevant today. Best looking over the last three generations.