Examining 40 Years of The VW Golf (aka Rabbit)
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In 1975, Volkswagen needed a minor miracle in the United States, especially in terms of a compact car. At the time, their primary models were the Beetle and Bus, but sales for both had slowed since 1970. The economy was in recession and Toyota and Honda loomed on the horizon. Regardless, VW shipped the European Golf to the U.S. as the Rabbit. This ?new? hatchback would offer American drivers premium options, front-wheel drive technology, and a 70 horsepower 1.8-liter engine. The Rabbit, later becoming the Golf, was intended as the successor to the original Beetle.
Through The Years
A new infographic from our friends at VWPartsVortex.com shows how VW Golf pricing has changed since 1975, when adjusted for inflation. Interesting enough, between 1975 and 2015, pricing didn’t vary that much. Rocco Demas, Manager at VW Parts Vortex, says the Golf really boils down to three things. “First, the cars have always been economical. Second, the cars have always been designed with an emphasis on premium features and quality,” he explained. “Three, the cars have always been fun to drive.”
By 1977, a diesel variant was offered for around $550 more but with fuel mileage in the mid to upper 30s. VW billed the engine as a more durable option than a gasoline counterpart. Eventually, the U.S. market would see both Cabriolet and hot hatch models along with the 90 horsepower GTI. By 1985, a new version of the ...
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