Volkswagen Golf: Discontinued – The end of an era

As significant as the Volkswagen Beetle was back in the ‘60s, the Volkswagen Golf hit the ground running in the ‘70s – shaking up the automotive market as we know it.

But the time has come to say goodbye. As Volkswagen Group makes the necessary move towards an expanded lineup of electric vehicles, the beloved, trusty Volkswagen Golf will be discontinued.

So, let’s take a drive down memory lane, say goodbye to the Golf and welcome in a new electric era for the industry:

A love letter to the Golf

The Golf was first introduced back in 1974, and ever since then, its popularity took off to become one of the best selling cars in Europe. Marketed across eight generations and raking in a whole host of impressive accolades for the trophy shelf – from World Car of the Year 2009, twice-over winner of European Car of the Year and many, many more.

Having sold over 35 million units worldwide, and of course more awards than we can count, VW claim their secret to the Golf’s success is its characteristics: “a perfect companion for everyday life, embodying versatility, functionality, reliability and quality like no other car.” The Golf’s sleek design, impressive performance and affordability have made it a favourite amongst car enthusiasts, everyday drivers and car garages alike (including ourselves!).

We’re feeling a mixed bag of emotions – sad to see the Golf go, but excited about what’s to come. It’s a bittersweet moment, to say the least. Let’s face it, the model has been around for what feels like forever, so the discontinuation of the Golf feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.

We’re not at the end of the road – yet…

The German manufacturers have announced that the Volkswagen Golf will be discontinued, and the 8th generation of the vehicle (which launched in 2019) will be the last of its kind.

A 9th generation, gasoline-powered version of the hatchback is highly unlikely, given the cost and timeline to create the vehicle before the EU’s deadline to only produce zero-emission vehicles comes into effect.

However, the good news is that the Volkswagen Golf being discontinued is not entirely the end of the road – yet. The VW Golf is booked in for a major mid-life facelift in 2024, keeping the 8th generation car competitive for a few more years, allowing customers and fans of the car to get their hands on one before the end of the decade.

The future is electric

Here’s the thing – as much as we love the Golf, it’s time to move on. Day by day we’re seeing car brands and manufacturers across the world make the shift to electric. New models are being released and old ones are quickly being replaced by their electric counterparts. And Volkswagen Group is never one to miss a beat.

Already boasting their own lineup of electric vehicles – the ID. family – the brand has been paying close attention to the world’s need for EVs. Ultimately, they’ve decided that the next-generation Mk9 Golf should be electric. The brand has their sights set on reaching production in 2025 and releasing the vehicle to market by 2026 or 2027.

Rumours suggest that the new electric Golf (the ID. 2all) will pack roughly 225 horsepower and around 200 miles of range. And, in terms of appearance, it’s said that the new electric Golf will be similar in design to the ID.2 – an electric car already in Volkswagen’s current lineup.

Volkswagen Group is always at the forefront of sustainable innovations, with goals to invest $35 billion in electric mobility by 2025, and a goal of sales to be fully electric by 2030. And they aren’t slacking.

Saying goodbye to an icon in the industry

While it may be the end of an era, we believe that the Volkswagen Golf will always hold a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts.

As an independent car garage specialising in VW Group vehicles, we’re excited about the brand’s shift towards electric vehicles. This is the future of the automotive industry, and we’re committed to supporting our customers through this transition.

Our team of expert technicians are each trained to work on all VW Group models, including electric vehicles, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have.

So, let’s raise a glass to the Golf – a true icon in the industry. It may be the end of an era, but it’s also the beginning of a new one. An era filled with innovation, sustainable initiatives and a whole lot of electric power.