Volkswagen in Focus: Latest Developments and News Updates - The Volkswagen EA 276 was nearly the first Golf model.
The Volkswagen Golf is a highly successful car, and its release could not have come at a better time. Despite Volkswagen's earlier triumph with the Beetle, interest in everyday cars began to decline sharply in the 1960s, resulting in an unexpected sales slump for the company. They had to take action.
Volkswagen ultimately managed to stop the sales decline with the release of the Golf (and the Passat). However, the journey was fraught with difficulties and performed under immense pressure.
While competitors like Fiat, Renault, and Peugeot already had compact cars available, Volkswagen trailed behind. It wasn't until Kurt Lotz took charge that the company shifted direction. Unfortunately, much time had been wasted in the meantime.
Volkswagen prototypes and tanks
Various designs were considered for the production car, including Ferdinand Piech's EA 266 or the EA 276. This development project (identified by the "EA" abbreviation) was almost identical to the later Golf, but used the wrong engine and was considered too simplistic.
Piech's EA 266 project came to an end in a dramatic fashion: At a test track near Stuttgart, boss Rudolf Leiding had demolished the remaining EA 276 models with two tanks. The number 276 remained a memory.
Volkswagen finally convinced the Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro to complete the design based on previous knowledge and requirements at the Turin Motor Show in 1970. In a recent conversation with stern, Giugiaro, now 85 years old, recalled this period and his concept of good design - hint: The Golf probably wasn't it in that form.
Production of the Golf began in March 1974, and since then, over 37 million units have been sold globally.
The Golf's success was not solely attributable to its modern and angular design, which faced considerable resistance. The better equipment, improved comfort, and increased performance also played a role in Volkswagen's recovery.
Yet nothing lasts forever. With the facelift of the current Golf 8, Wolfsburg recently revealed the final Golf with a traditional gasoline engine - in the future, the company will focus on electric vehicles. They plan to retain the name, as Topgear reports. They quote Volkswagen as saying: "He is the heart of our brand. We will not eliminate the Golf."
