In the late 1960s, the world was in flux: traditional values were coming under question. And what about Volkswagen? There it was about more than just finding a successor for the Beetle. Engineers and designers had countless ideas for additional models both small and large. We are here to look back at those eventful times.
Up until the early 1970s, it was a time of experimenting, developing and discarding. Engineers from Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche were competing for the contract. The Italian studios, which were the forerunners back then, were involved in the design: Bertone, Ghia, Italdesign and Pininfarina. Because it was no longer a matter of “merely” finding a successor to the Beetle: it was about establishing a cross-brand model family.
In 1971 a consensus had been reached in terms of a successor for the Beetle: four cylinder in-line engine in the front, transmission also in the front, combined with a timeless body design. The shape of the Golf came from Giorgio Giugiaro. The boxy compact car captivated immediately with its practicality and quality. Now people refer to the “Golf” class. In terms of numbers, the Golf has far exceeded the Beetle.
