Tag Archives: golf

Motorsport

Lifted 2023 Volkswagen Golf R Is A Pricey All-Terrain Hot Hatch

The original Volkswagen Golf was first introduced in 1974. However, it wasn’t until 1985, during the Mk2 era, that the first all-wheel-drive version, known as the Golf Syncro, was made available. In 1989, a more adventurous variant called the Golf Country was introduced with a raised suspension and other rugged features. Only 7,735 Golf Country cars were produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria. Now, a new custom-built Golf R based on the current model aims to revive the spirit of the Golf Country.

Off-road specialist Delta4x4 has previewed this unique Golf R, which aims to explore new territories that no other Golf R has ventured into before. This lifted hot hatch comes with an 80 millimeter (3.14 inch) lift kit, adding to its off-road capabilities. It is equipped with custom 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The aftermarket package also includes a roof rack for increased practicality, as well as five additional PIAA lights mounted on the hood.


News

History of the Volkswagen Golf – picture special

The Volkswagen Golf has become a benchmark in the world of hatchbacks. It has continuously evolved over the years, making it one of the most capable and versatile cars on the market. Despite all the changes, it still retains its original character.

The first generation of the Golf, known as the Mk1, was introduced in 1974. At that time, the hatchback genre was still in its early stages. The Golf played a significant role in shaping the hatchback market into what it is today.

Now, 46 years later, we have reached the eighth-generation model. Let’s take a look at how Volkswagen transformed a humble hatchback into an iconic car.

Vw 53

The Golf was designed as a front-engined, front-wheel drive replacement for the Beetle. Its sleek lines were created by renowned designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Golf’s instant success can be seen in the fact that one million units had already been produced by October 1976.

While the Golf started as a practical family car, a group of passionate VW engineers turned it into a performance car. This led to the creation of the Golf GTI in the late 1970s, igniting the hot hatch trend that continues today.

VW’s in-house design team updated Giugiaro’s design for the longer and wider Mk2 Golf, which debuted in 1983. It sold an impressive 6.3 million units before being replaced by the all-new Mk3 in 1991.

The Mk3 Golf won the 1992 European Car of the Year award, succeeding the Mk2 Golf which lost to the Peugeot 205 and Fiat Uno. The more luxurious and expensive Mk4 was introduced in 1997, featuring a softer and rounder design. It was followed by the larger and faster Mk5 in 2003, which received subtle updates for the Mk6 in 2008.

In addition to the standard hatchback, there have also been estate and convertible versions of the Golf. The Golf Cabriolet, with its distinctive basket-handle rollover bar (later removed in the Mk6 Cabrio), was originally produced by Karmann on a dedicated assembly line.

Motorsport

2024 Volkswagen Golf Refresh Rendered After Spy Shots Released

Between 2007 and 2021, the Volkswagen Golf held the top spot as Europe’s best-selling car for 14 years. Last year, however, the compact hatchback and wagon duo failed to make it to the podium, taking fifth place behind the Peugeot 208, Dacia Sandero, VW T-Roc, and the Fiat/Abarth 500, with only 177,203 units sold, following a 14% drop in sales. The Toyota Yaris is catching up with it as well.

In an effort to revive its sales, VW announced that it would refresh the Golf the same year it gave the similar mechanically Skoda Octavia the same treatment. The nine-generation Golf will be exclusively electric, so this might be the last mechanical update. An unofficial rendering was released to show prospective changes to the car.

2024 Volkswagen Golf facelift rendering

According to Volkswagen’s teaser images, the 2024 Golf will have redesigned headlights and vertical slats in the bumper. The eHybrid version seen in testing was fitted with a charging port on the driver’s side, which has been excluded from this rendering, which depicts the non-PHEV version. The R-Line version of the five-door hatch in the rendering also includes subtle taillight adjustments.

As expected from a German carmaker, styling tweaks will be minimal. VW typically makes subtle modifications during a vehicle’s life cycle, unlike Hyundai and Kia, which make more significant changes. Although this rendering focuses on the exterior, we expect some cabin updates as well.

Based on a prototype seen previously, the Golf facelift will have a larger touchscreen, which could be the same 15-inch unit found on the ID.7. The larger display is larger than the ID.3’s 12-inch screen, which we saw in the prototype. VW has announced a “qualify offensive” and intends to remove touch-sensitive buttons from the steering wheel in response to criticism from customers.

We anticipate cleaner engines to comply with Euro 7 regulations, which will take effect in July 2025, leading to changes in exhaust brakes and tires, among other things, as part of broader efforts to minimize the harmful impact of vehicles. According to VW, Euro 7 would increase the pricing of ICE cars, to the point where they may be removed from the product range altogether, leaving room for the exclusively electric Golf 9. As a result, the Polo is becoming obsolete.

Volkswagen

Exclusive Golf R 333 Limited Edition model: a highlight both inside and out

Curtain up for the Golf R 333 Limited Edition. The new special-edition model limited to 333 vehicles is based on the Golf R Performance and packs a real punch with an output of 333 PS (245 kW). The necessary driving stability and traction of the all-wheel-drive special-edition model are ensured by a host of high-quality equipment features such as R-Performance Torque Vectoring including Vehicle Dynamics Manager. The Golf R 333 comes from the factory with eye-catching Lime Yellow Metallic paintwork. Black accents additionally underline the appearance of the special-edition model, which is being launched as a potential collector’s item. The special edition can be ordered in German dealerships from Friday, 2 June. The vehicles will be delivered in October this year.

“The Golf R 333 is the first R model with a specification predefined by us that leaves no customer wishes regarding performance unfulfilled – thanks to its extensive equipment,” says Hakim Halimi, Head of Product Marketing at Volkswagen R. The features include R-Performance Torque Vectoring with Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which distributes the drive power not just between the front and rear axles but also between the two rear wheels. This offers a special dimension of sportiness, particularly when cornering. The Drift and Special driving profiles, designed for the Nürburgring racetrack, also offer additional driving pleasure away from public roads. The R Performance exhaust system from Akrapovič with titanium rear silencers and black 19-inch Estoril wheel rims with semi-slick tyres additionally highlight the motorsports character of the special-edition model. The top speed has also been increased to 270 km/h.

The basic idea for limitation of the edition was provided by the engine power of 245 kW (333 PS). This is the most powerful output rating of the Golf with a torque of 420 newton metres. In addition, the optimised engine tuning means that the load change response is extremely spontaneous. The turbocharger is preloaded to keep it at a constant speed during partial-load driving. This then allows faster power development for subsequent acceleration. The open throttle valve in overrun phases also improves dynamics and performance on the road. When the driver takes their foot off the accelerator and then accelerates again, this allows faster build-up of the engine torque and noticeably improves the engine’s responsiveness. With an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, the Golf R 333 Limited Edition delivers the best-in-class value (compared with key competitors).

The paintwork in Lime Yellow Metallic extends the colour range for the Golf R, which comprises Pure White, Lapiz Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect. “With the special exterior colour, black-painted roof and design decals with 333 logo on the sides, this Golf R will be offered in a combination that is unique up to now,” says Halimi. “It is the first Volkswagen R model with a strict limitation to 333 units and with a sequentially numbered badge in the interior.”

The standard equipment also includes premium sport seats in Nappa leather (with integrated head restraint) and the powerful IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights (including Light and Vision package). State-of-the-art driver assist systems are contained in the IQ.DRIVE package. These include Travel Assist, the Lane Assist lane keeping system, Emergency Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop & go function. The Golf R 333 Limited Edition also comes with a centre airbag (front) and a rear view camera system. A system from Harman Kardon with 8+1 loudspeakers and 480 W total output supplies perfect sound in the interior.

The Golf R has cult status. Since 2002, more than 250,000 orders have been placed for the bestseller from Volkswagen R. “The Golf R 333 Limited Edition is extremely important for our brand,” says Peter Jost, Head of Marketing & Sales, Volkswagen R. “It is precisely such limited and high-performance vehicles that turbocharge the Volkswagen R brand – a genuine eye-catcher and extremely attractive. Every customer can be sure that they have an extremely rare vehicle and a potential collector’s item in their garage.”

With prices starting at 76,410 euros, the special-edition model can be ordered at German dealerships from 2 June. Production of all 333 vehicles in Wolfsburg is scheduled for September this year so that the first models can be handed over to customers from October. In addition, a customer event in the Autostadt is planned for all buyers of the Golf R 333 Limited Edition who pick up their vehicle in Wolfsburg (Germany) in October.

Citreon

CITROËN CELEBRATES 55 YEARS OF THE MÉHARI

  • Citroën is celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Méhari, revealed on 16 May 1968 at the Deauville golf course
  • Between 1968 and 1987, 144,953 units were produced, mainly at the Citroën factory in Forest, Belgium
  • This atypical, all-terrain and all-season vehicle was renowned for its modularity, practicality and economic benefits
  • The Méhari became an iconic model both for Citroën and more widely within the automotive world and enjoyed a diverse career which included film appearances and service with the French army
  • The Méhari shares this distinctive and leisure-oriented attitude with the Citroën C3 Pluriel, which will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary, and more recently with My Ami Buggy

 

Citroën is celebrating 55 years since the reveal of the Méhari, which was shown for the first time at the Deauville golf course on 16 May 1968.

 

The Méhari’s unusual pick-up design was built on a Dyane 6 platform, while the model produced between 28 and 32hp and featured an innovative ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic body designed by Roland de La Poype.

 

During the Méhari’s almost 20 years in production between 1968 and 1987, 144,953 units were built (including 1,213 4×4 Méhari), making it a surprising success. The Méhari was mainly produced in the Citroën factory in Forest, Belgium, but also in seven other factories in France, Spain and Portugal.

 

AN ALL-TERRAIN AND ALL-SEASON VEHICLE

 

The Méhari’s name derives from the name given to dromedary camels in North Africa and the Sahara. These animals are known for their off-road ability, their resistance and their ability to transport both goods and passengers over long distances – making it a fitting name for a model known for its ability to adapt to all terrains.

 

From the outside, the Méhari doesn’t appear to be suitable for all seasons, as it looks more like a small convertible used during the summer holidays. Thanks to a winter cover, the car is completely sealed, turning it into a vehicle that can be used all year round.

 

PRACTICAL, MODULAR AND ECONOMICAL

 

The Méhari is highly modular, being able to transform part of its floor into a backrest, which allows it to add two seats at the rear and thus accommodate up to four passengers.

 

The body is made up of only 11 easily repairable parts and can be cleaned with a single blast of water both inside and outside. This makes the car easy to maintain and economical for its customers.

 

THREE UNIQUE VERSIONS

 

Although it was produced for almost 20 years, only three different versions of the Méhari were added to the range, including two limited editions.

 

In 1979, Citroën introduced a new variant of the Méhari with the 4×4 version. Then, in 1983, two special editions were launched. The first to be launched was the Méhari Plage, with its holiday look and bright yellow colour scheme, which was sold in Spain and Portugal. Finally, in April 1983 the Méhari Azur was launched in France, Italy and Portugal, limited to just 700 units.

 

A DIVERSE CAREER

 

The Méhari was a popular choice among organisations as varied as the police, customs, airports, racecourses and many others, but also appealed to shopkeepers, craftsmen and private individuals.

 

The model enjoyed a long career with the French army, which ordered a total of 11,457 Méhari between 1972 and 1987. The Méhari 4×4 also served as a medical assistance vehicle, with ten vehicles taking part in the 1980 Paris-Dakar Wheel alignment to provide medical support along the route.

 

Finally, the Méhari even appeared in films, most notably ‘Le Gendarme de Saint Tropez’ starring Louis de Funès.