This is the compact with 40 years of history that already has a 0 label and sells more than many SUVs

The compact segment has historically been one of the most competitive in Europe, but in the last decade SUVs have caused this to change. However, there are still long-lived models with a good reputation that sell more than many SUVs, as is the case with this compact with 40 years of history that already has a 0 label and is currently selling its eighth generation.

We are talking, of course, about the Volkswagen Golf, a model that was originally launched in 1974 (yes, 49 years ago) and that has been the key pillar on which a whole range of Volkswagen vehicles has been built up to our times, which It has allowed millions of Golf units to be sold and, of course, to offer eight generations of this successful C-segment compact.

This is the compact with 40 years of history that already has a 0 label and sells more than many SUVs

The eighth generation was unveiled in 2019 and is currently available in two body options (5-door and Variant), as well as numerous mechanical options including gasoline and diesel engines, and a plug-in hybrid version with the DGT 0 Emissions label. .

In terms of sales, the Golf continues to be a success despite the competition within its segment and a market that demands SUVs in almost every niche. Within Volkswagen, the German compact is the fifth best-selling vehicle in the first two months of 2023, behind the T-Roc, T-Cross, Tiguan and Taigo.

In 2022, a difficult year marked by inflation, production restrictions and a shortage of microchips, Volkswagen managed to sell a total of 5,217 units of the Golf, which represents 8.86% of the total sales of the German company during past exercise. This highlights the importance of the model within Volkswagen’s current product portfolio.

How is the new generation of the Volkswagen Golf?

The Golf 8 is a 4.28-meter-long car (4.63 meters in the case of the Golf Variant) that has an interior for five passengers and a 380-liter trunk (610 liters in the family version. If we talk about the model plug-in hybrid, which is known as Golf GTE, the trunk offers 270 liters of volumetric capacity with five seats and 1,130 liters by folding down the rear seatbacks.

This particular version is equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a 150 PS 1.4 TSI petrol engine and an 80 kW (109 PS) electric motor. Combined, they develop 245 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque, and are managed by a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends all the power to the front end.

In charge of supplying electricity to the electric motor we find a lithium-ion battery with 13 kWh of gross capacity. In this way, in addition to obtaining the 0 Emissions environmental badge, it certifies an electric range of up to 65 kilometers on a single charge, a mixed consumption of 1.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of only 26 g/km.

Are there versions with an ECO label within the Golf range?

Due to restrictions in production due to problems in the supply of microchips, the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is temporarily not for sale. However, you can get alternatives with an ECO environmental label within the Golf range.

They are available within the offer of gasoline engines with 48 V Mild Hybrid technology. You can choose between two engines with this technology and three power levels. On the one hand, the 1.0 eTSI with 110 CV and, on the other, the 1.5 eTSI, which is offered with 130 CV and 150 CV. Both engines include only seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.

And, if we talk about prices, you can have a Volkswagen Golf with the DGT ECO label from 33,740 euros with the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, or opt for the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine from 36,055 euros.