50 years of the VW Golf

A new level of maturity: the Golf III

Volkswagen ushered in a new era of safety in August 1991 with the third generation Golf.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV,)

The Golf is the heart of the Volkswagen brand: with the Golf III, the Golf had visibly changed more than with the previous model change. And yet the Wolfsburg designers once again succeeded in making it clearly recognizable as a Golf. With the third edition, Volkswagen also ushered in a new era of safety from August 1991. Together with VW, we are celebrating 50 years of the Golf - and you can win.

By the time the third edition was launched at the end of 1991, the million-selling Golf had reached a level of development maturity that only a few years earlier seemed reserved for the luxury class. The VW Golf III was a little more aerodynamic and the Cd value fell to 0.30. From the outset, the third generation was available with seven engine variants, including a sensation: an ultra-compact six-cylinder engine, the first in the Golf class.

It was also important to the developers to further improve the safety aspects of the Golf. The driver and front passenger airbags were introduced with the third generation, and later also the side airbag integrated into the front seats. From model year 1997, all Golf models were supplied with ABS as standard. However, the Plus chassis was reserved for the VR6 and the GTI.

A new chapter in special models
For the first time, the Golf was now also built as an estate, traditionally called the Variant. The syncro all-wheel drive was still available. The Colour Concept with a completely styled leather interior that matched the exterior color opened a new chapter in special models. Arrangements with cult bands such as the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd or Bon Jovi opened up further opportunities for marketing individually equipped vehicles.

By 1997, a total of 4.8 million Golf IIIs had been built, also continuing the environmental theme. The eco-Golf Ecomatic from 1993 now used an automatic transmission to reduce fuel consumption. The rapeseed oil Golf used alternative fuels, and the Golf III with its 18 kW (24 PS) electric motor was the world's first series-produced electric car, the CitySTROMer. In 1994, Volkswagen finally strengthened the range with the Golf VR6 syncro, which was equipped with a 2.9-liter, 140 kW (190 PS) six-cylinder engine.

*The prize includes VW Genuine complete winter wheels, fully comprehensive insurance, annual vignette, 15,000 km and excludes fuel costs. Fuel consumption: 4.2 - 8.5 l/100 km. CO₂ emissions: 110 - 192 g/km. Symbolic image. As of 03/2024

(Bild: krone kreativ, Volkswagen)

Win now: Drive a VW Golf Rabbit for 1 year
As a registered user on krone.at, you have the chance to win 1 of 50 VW Golf Rabbits for 1 year including VW Genuine complete winter wheels, fully comprehensive insurance and a vignette for 1 year until May 19. Search for one of the eight VW Golf generations on krone.at and with one click it will end up in your digital scrapbook. If you have collected all VW Golf generations after the eight weeks, you have the chance to win one of 50 VW Golf Rabbit.

Have you missed a generation? No problem! In your digital scrapbook and at www.krone.at/50jahrevwgolf you can collect all VW Golf generations during the eight weeks andkeep your chance to win a VW Golf Rabbit for a year,including VW Genuine complete winter wheels, fully comprehensive insurance and a vignette for one year!

Alternatively, you can also cut out one of the eight VW generations in each Sunday edition of the Kronen Zeitung, stick it in the collection card enclosed on March 29, 2024 (or download the collection card HERE ) and upload the complete collection card from May 19, 2024 up to and including May 31, 2024 HERE or  send it to the following address (date of postmark applies).

Kronen Zeitung
Keyword: "VW competition" 
P.O. Box 200
1203 Vienna

The winners will be drawn and contacted from June 10* All further information and the conditions of participation can be found HERE.