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Balkans

2006-04-20T20:45:51Z

151.202.40.212:

{{cleanup-date|March 2006}}

: ''"Balkan" redirects here. For the Turkmen province, see [[Balkan Province]].''

The '''Balkans''' is the historic and geographic name used to describe a [[subregion|region]] of south-eastern [[Europe]]. The region has a combined area of [[1 E11 m²|728,000 km²]] and a population of around 53 million. In [[Greek language|Greek]], the Balkan Peninsula was known as the Peninsula of [[Haemus]] (Χερσόνησος του Αίμου). The region takes its name from the [[Stara Planina|Balkan mountains]] which run through the centre of [[Bulgaria]] into eastern [[Serbia]].

[[Image:SEEurope-small.jpg|frame|right|Southeastern Europe seen from NASA's Terra Satellite]]

== Definitions and boundaries ==
===Balkan Peninsula===
The Balkans are sometimes referred to as the '''"Balkan Peninsula"''' as they are surrounded by water on three sides: the [[Black Sea]] to the east and branches of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the south and west (including the [[Adriatic sea|Adriatic]], [[Ionian sea|Ionian]], [[Aegean sea|Aegean]] and [[Sea of Marmara|Marmara]] seas). While it is not [[physical geography|geographically]] a [[peninsula]] as it has no [[isthmus]] to connect it to the mainland of Europe, this name is nonetheless commonly used to denote the wider region.

===''The'' Balkans===
The identity of the Balkans owes as much to its fragmented and often [[Violence|violent]] common history as to its mountainous geography. The region was perennially on the edge of great empires, its history dominated by wars, rebellions, invasions and clashes between empires, from the times of the [[Roman Empire]] to the latter-day [[Yugoslav wars]].

Its fractiousness and tendency to splinter into rival political entities led to the coining of the term [[Balkanization]] (or ''balkanizing''). The term '''Balkan''' commonly connotes a connection with violence, [[religion|religious]] strife, [[ethnicity|ethnic]] clannishness and a sense of [[hinterland]]. The Balkans, as they are known today, have changed dramatically over the course of [[History of the Balkans|their history]].

Although the former characterization of the Balkans is widely used and extremely common today, it is important to note that this characterization is also widely exaggeraterd and may be connected to historically negative connotations the Balkans have amogst Western European nations and political elites. Recent problems and conflicts in the Balkans have more to do with a complicated set of factors having to do with recent political and social divisions rather then the so-called age-old 'tendency' of the Balkan peoples to engage in war and conflicts.

===Etymology and evolving meaning===
The region takes its name from the "Balkan" mountain range in [[Bulgaria]] (from a [[Turkish language|Turkish]] word meaning "a chain of wooded mountains"). On a larger scale, one long continuous chain of mountains crosses the region in the form of a reversed letter S, from the [[Carpathians]] south to the Balkan range proper, before it marches away east into [[Anatolia]]n Turkey. On the west coast, an offshoot of the [[Dinaric Alps]] follows the coast south through [[Dalmatia]] and [[Albania]], crosses Greece and continues into the sea in the form of various islands. The word was based on [[Turkish language|Turkish]] ''balakan'' 'stone, cliff', which confirms the pure 'technical' meaning of the term. The mountain range that runs across Bulgaria from west to east (Stara Planina) is still commonly known as the [[Balkan Mountains]].

As time passed, the term gradually obtained political connotations far from its initial geographic meaning, arising from political changes from the late 1800s to the creation of post-[[World War I]] [[Yugoslavia]] (initially the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes). Zeune's goal was to have a geographical parallel term to the [[Italian peninsula|Italic]] and [[Iberian Peninsula]], and seemingly nothing more. The gradually acquired political connotations are newer, and, to a large extent, due to oscillating political circumstances. After the split of Yugoslavia beginning in June 1991, the term 'Balkans' again received a negative meaning, even in casual usage. For example, [[Romania]] is also labelled a 'Balkanic country' even if this is not compliant with either its initial meaning or later evolutions of the term. Over the last decade, in the wake of the former Yugoslav split, [[Croatians]] and especially [[Slovenians]] have rejected their former label as 'Balkan nations'. This is in part due to the pejorative connotation of the term 'Balkans' in the 1990s, and continuation of this meaning until now. Today, the term 'Southeast Europe' is preferred or, in the case of Slovenia and sometimes Croatia, '[[Central Europe]]'.

Even if incorrect, both historically and politically, it is probable that "Balkans" will continue to have a wider, and pejorative, meaning. Quite often, this is rather a [[cliché]] covering ignorance or ill intentions.

===Southeastern Europe===
[[Image:European_Regions_16.png|right|thumb|300px|Regions of Europe]]
Due to the aforementioned connotations of the term 'Balkan', many people prefer the term '''Southeastern Europe''' instead. The use of this term is slowly growing; a [[European Union]] initiative of [[1999]] is called the ''[[Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe]]'', and the online newspaper ''Balkan Times'' renamed itself ''Southeast European Times'' in [[2003]].

The use of this term to mean the Balkan peninsula (and only that) technically ignores the geographical presence of northern [[Romania]] and [[Ukraine]], which are also located in the southeastern part of the European continent.

===Ambiguities and controversies===
The northern border of the Balkan peninsula is usually considered to be the line formed by the [[Danube]], [[Sava]] and [[Kupa]] rivers and a segment connecting the spring of the Kupa with the [[Kvarner Bay]].

Some other definitions of the northern border of the Balkans has been proposed:

*The line Danube - Sava - [[Krka, Slovenia|Krka]] (river in Slovenia) - [[Postojna|Postojnska Vrata]] - [[Vipava River]] - [[Isonzo River]] (also known as [[Soca river|Soča river]])
*the line Danube - Sava - [[Ljubljansko polje]] - [[Idrijca]] river - [[Soca river|Soča river]].
*the line [[Dniester]] - [[Timisoara|Timişoara]] - [[Zagreb]] - [[Triglav]] (mountain).

[[Image:Balkanpeninsula.png|thumb|250px|Balkan peninsula (as defined by the Danube-Sava-Kupa line)]]

The most commonly used Danube-Sava-Kupa northern boundary is arbitrarily set as to the physiographical characteristics, however it can be easily recognized on the map. It has a historical and cultural substantiation. The region so defined (together with Romania and excluding [[Montenegro]], Dalmatia, and the [[Ionian Islands]]) constituted most of the European territory of the [[Ottoman Empire]] from the late [[15th century|15th]] to the [[19th century]]. The Kupa forms a natural boundary between south-eastern Slovenia and Croatia and has been a political frontier since the [[12th century]], separating [[Carniola]] (belonging to [[Austria]]) from [[Croatia]] (belonging to [[Hungary]]).

The Danube-Sava-Krka-Postojnska Vrata-Vipava-Isonzo line ignores some historical and cultural characteristics, but can be seen as a rational delimitation of the Balkan peninsula from a geographical point of view. It assigns all the Karstic and Dinaric area to the Balkan region.

The Sava bisects Croatia and Serbia and the Danube, which is the second largest European river (after [[Volga]]), forms a natural boundary between both Bulgaria and Serbia and Romania. North of that line lies the [[Pannonian plain]] and (in the case of Romania) the [[Carpathian mountains]].

Although Romania (with the exception of [[Dobrudja]]) is not geographically part of the Balkans, it is conventionally included as a [[successor state]] to the old Ottoman Empire.

According to the most commonly used border, Slovenia lies to the north of the Balkans and is considered a part of [[Central Europe]]. Historically and culturally, it is also more related to Central Europe, although the Slovenian culture also incorporates some elements of culture of Balkanic peoples.

However, as already stated, the northern boundary of the Balkan peninsula can also be drawn otherwise, in which case at least a part of Slovenia and a small part of [[Italy]] ([[Province of Trieste]]) may be included in the Balkans.

Slovenia is also sometimes regarded as a Balkan country due to its association with the former [[Yugoslavia]]. When the Balkans are described as a twentieth-century geopolitical region, the whole Yugoslavia is included (so, Slovenia, [[Istria]], islands of [[Dalmatia]], northern Croatia and [[Vojvodina]] too).

The aforementioned historical justification for the Sava-Kupa northern boundary would preclude including a big part of [[Croatia]] (whose territories were by and large part of the [[Habsburg Monarchy]] and [[Venetian Republic]] during the Ottoman conquest). Other factors such as prior history and culture also bind Croatia to Central Europe and the Mediterranean region more than they bind it to the Balkans. Nevertheless, its peculiar geographic shape inherently associates it with the region Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of, as well as the recent history with Yugoslavia etc.

===Current common definition===
[[Image:Balkans-political-map-small.png|thumb|250px|Political map in 2004]]

In most of the English-speaking, western world, the countries commonly included in the Balkan region are:
*{{ALB}}
*{{BIH}}
*{{BUL}}
*{{CRO}}
*{{GRE}}
*{{MKD}}
*{{SCG}}
*{{TUR}}, but only the European part of it, including [[Istanbul]] (traditionally called [[Rumelia]] or [[Eastern Thrace]])

Some other countries are sometimes included in the list as well:
*{{MDA}}
*{{ROM}}
*{{SLO}}

Many regions in the countries listed as Balkan states can be in many respects rather distinct from the remainder of the region, so countries that are borderline cases (often far away from the Balkan mountain itself: Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, sometimes also Greece) usually prefer not to be called ''Balkan countries''.

===Related countries===
Other countries not included in the Balkan region that are close to it and/or play or have played an important role in the region's geopolitics, culture and history:
*[[Cyprus]] (see also [[Cyprus dispute]])
*[[Hungary]] (see also [[Austria-Hungary]])
*[[Austria]] (see also [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Assassination in Sarajevo]])
*[[Croatia]] (see also [[Austria-Hungary]], [[Republic of Venice]], [[Slavonia]])
*[[Slovenia]] (see also [[Austria-Hungary]])
*[[Italy]] (see Croatia: [[Dalmatia]], [[Zadar|Zara]], [[Rijeka|Fiume]]; [[History of Slovenia]])
*[[Russia]] (see [[History of Serbia]])

== Nature and natural resources ==
[[Image:Balkan_topo_en.jpg|thumb|Balkan peninsula with northwest border [[Isonzo]]-[[Krka, Slovenia|Krka]]-[[Sava]]]]
Most of the area is covered by mountain ranges running from south-west to north-east. The main ranges are the [[Dinaric Alps]] in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, the [[Sar mountain|Šar]] massif which spreads from Albania to Republic of Macedonia and the [[Pindus]] range, spanning from southern Albania into central Greece. In Bulgaria there are ranges running from east to west: the [[Balkan mountains]] and the [[Rhodope mountains]] at the border with Greece. The highest mountain of the region is [[Musala]] in [[Bulgaria]] at 2925 m, with [[Mount Olympus]] in Greece, the throne of Zeus, being second at 2919 m and Vihren in Bulgaria being the third at 2914.

On the coasts the climate is [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]], in the inland it is moderate [[continental climate|continental]]. In the northern part of the peninsula and on the mountains, winters are frosty and snowy, while summers are hot and dry. In the southern part winters are milder.

During the centuries many woods have been cut down and replaced with bush and brush. In the southern part and on the coast there is evergreen vegetation. In the inland there are woods typical of [[Central Europe]] ([[oak]] and [[beech]], and in the mountains, [[spruce]], [[fir]] and [[pine]]). The [[tree-line]] in the mountains lies at the height of 1800-2300 m.

The soils are generally poor, except on the plains where areas with natural grass, fertile soils and warm summers provide an opportunity for tillage. Elsewhere, land cultivation is mostly unsuccessful because of the mountains, hot summers and poor soils, although certain cultures such as [[olive]]s and [[grape]]s flourish.

Resources of energy are scarce. There are some deposits of [[coal]], especially in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia. [[Lignite]] deposits are widespread in Greece. [[Petroleum]] is most notably present in Romania, although scarce reserves exist in Greece, Serbia, Albania and Croatia. [[Natural gas]] deposits are scarce. Hydropower stations are largely used in energetics.

Metal ores are more usual than other raw materials. Iron ore is rare but in some countries there is a considerable amount of [[copper]], [[zinc]], [[tin]], [[chromite]], [[manganese]], [[magnesite]] and [[bauxite]]. Some metals are exported.

== History and geopolitical significance ==
:''Main article: [[History of the Balkans]]''

The Balkan region was the first area of Europe to experience the arrival of [[farming]] cultures in the [[Neolithic]] era. The practices of growing grain and raising livestock arrived in the Balkans from the [[Fertile Crescent]] by way of [[Anatolia]], and spread west and north into [[Pannonia]] and [[Central Europe]].

In pre-classical and [[classical antiquity]], this region was home to [[Greeks]], [[Illyrians]], [[Paeonians]], [[Thracians]], and other ancient groups. Later the [[Roman Empire]] conquered most of the region and spread Roman culture and the [[Latin]] language but significant parts still remained under [[Ancient Greece|classical Greek]] influence. During the [[Middle Ages]], the Balkans became the stage for a series of wars between the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]], [[History of Bulgaria|Bulgarian]] and [[Serbian Empire|Serbian]] Empires.

By the end of the [[16th century]], the [[Ottoman Empire]] became the controlling force in the region, although it was centered around Anatolia. In the past 550 years, because of the frequent [[Ottoman wars in Europe]] fought in and around the Balkans, and the comparative Ottoman isolation from the mainstream of economic advance (reflecting the shift of Europe's commercial and political centre of gravity towards the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]), the Balkans has been the least developed part of Europe.

The Balkan nations began to regain their independence in the [[19th century]] (Greece), and in [[1912]]-[[1913]] a [[Balkan League]] reduced Turkey's territory to its present extent in the [[Balkan Wars]]. The [[World War I|First World War]] was sparked in [[1914]] by the [[assassination in Sarajevo]] (the capital of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]) of the [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria]].

After the [[World War II|Second World War]], the [[Soviet Union]] and [[communism]] played a very important role in the Balkans. During the [[Cold War]], most of the countries in the Balkans were ruled by Soviet-supported communist governments.

However, despite being under communist governments, [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] ([[1948]]) and [[Albania]] ([[1961]]) fell out with the Soviet Union. Yugoslavia, led by marshal [[Josip Broz Tito]] ([[1892]]–[[1980]]), first propped up then rejected the idea of merging with [[Bulgaria]], and instead sought closer relations with the [[Western World|West]], later even joining many [[third world]] countries in the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Albania on the other hand gravitated toward [[People's Republic of China|Communist China]], later adopting an [[Isolationism|isolationist]] position.

The only non-communist countries were [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]], which were (and still are) part of [[NATO]].

In the [[1990s]], the region was gravely affected by [[Yugoslav wars|armed conflict in the former Yugoslav republics]], resulting in [[intervention]] by [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]] forces in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Kosovo]] and the [[Republic of Macedonia]]. The status of [[Kosovo]] and [[Albanians|ethnic Albanians]] in general is still mostly unresolved.

Balkan countries control the direct [[European route|land routes]] between [[Western Europe]] and South West [[Asia]] ([[Asia Minor]] and the [[Middle East]]). Since [[2000]], all Balkan countries are friendly towards the [[EU]] and the [[United States|USA]].

[[Greece]] has been a member of the [[European Union]] since [[1981]]; [[Slovenia]] and [[Cyprus]] since [[2004]]. [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]] are set to become members in [[2007]]. In [[2005]] European Union decided to start accession negotiations with candidate countries [[Croatia]] and [[Turkey]] and the [[Republic of Macedonia]] was accepted as a candidate for the European Union membership. As of 2004, [[Bulgaria]], [[Romania]] and [[Slovenia]] are also members of [[NATO]].

All other countries have expressed a desire to join the EU but at some date in the future.

== Population composition by nationality and religion ==
The region's principal nationalities include [[Turkish people|Turks]] (12.3 million, 11 million of them inhabiting Turkish [[Thrace]]), [[Greeks]] (10.5 million, with about 10 million of them being in Greece), [[Serbs]] (8.5 million), [[Bulgarians]] (7.5 million), [[Albanians]] (6 million, with about 3.3 millions of them being in [[Albania]]), [[Croats]] (4.5 million), [[Bosniaks]] (2.4 million), [[Macedonian Slavs]] (1.4 million) and [[Montenegrins]] (0.265 million). If Romania and Slovenia are included, then also [[Romanians]] (26 million) and [[Slovenians]] (2 million). Practically all Balkan countries have a smaller or larger [[Roma (people)|Roma]] (Gypsy) minority. Other much smaller stateless minorities include the [[Gagauz]], the [[Gorani (Kosovo)|Gorani]], the [[Karakachans]], the [[Arvanites]] and the [[Aromanians]].

The region's principal religions are ([[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Catholicism|Catholic]]) [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]]. A variety of different traditions of each faith are practiced, with each of the Eastern Orthodox countries having its own national church.

[[Eastern Orthodoxy]] is the principal religion in the following countries:
*Bulgaria
*Greece
*Romania
*Serbia and Montenegro
*Macedonia

[[Catholicism]] is the principal religion in the following countries:
*Croatia
*Slovenia

[[Islam]] is the principal religion in the following countries:
*Albania
*Turkey

The following countries have many religious groups which exceed 10% of the total population:
*Albania: Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism.
*Bosnia and Herzegovina: Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism.
*Bulgaria: Eastern Orthodoxy, Islam.
*Republic of Macedonia: Slavic population is mostly Eastern Orthodox, Albanian population is mostly Muslim.
*Serbia and Montenegro: Eastern Orthodoxy, Islam.

For more detailed information and a precise ethnic breakdown see articles about particular states:
* [[Albania]], [[Demographics of Albania]]
* [[Croatia]], [[Demographics of Croatia]]
* [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Demographics of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* [[Bulgaria]], [[Demographics of Bulgaria]]
* [[Greece]], [[Demographics of Greece]]
* [[Republic of Macedonia]], [[Demographics of the Republic of Macedonia]]
* [[Serbia and Montenegro]], [[Demographics of Serbia and Montenegro]]
* [[Turkey]], [[Demographics of Turkey]]

== See also ==
*[[History of the Balkans]]
**[[Historical regions of the Balkan Peninsula]]
**[[Balkan wars]]
*[[Balkan languages]]
**[[Balkan linguistic union]]
*[[Balkanization]]
*[[Orient Express]]
*[[Music of Southeastern Europe]]

== External links ==
{{commons|Balkans}}
* [http://www.boeckler.de/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3D0AB75D-EE15F528/hbs/hs.xsl/179.html South-East Europe Review]
* [http://www.balkanalysis.com/ Balkanalysis.com]
* [http://www.lib.msu.edu/sowards/balkan/ Balkan History by Steven W. Sowards]
* [http://www.civilitasresearch.org/ Civilitas Research]
* [http://www.rferl.org/balkan-report/ Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Balkan Weekly Report]
* [http://www.seeurope.net/ SEEurope.net] - news coverage on Southeastern Europe
* [http://www.balkantimes.com/ Southeast European Times]
* [http://www.csees.net/ The Centre for South East European Studies]
* [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/balkans.html Balkans region: Oil and Gas Fact Sheet] - [[United States Department of Energy]] Analysis Brief
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4397497.stm Balkans urged to curb trafficking - BBC]

{{Region}}

[[Category:Balkans| ]]
[[Category:Balkan cuisine| ]]

[[ar:بلقان]]
[[ast:Balcanes]]
[[bg:Балкански полуостров]]
[[bs:Balkan]]
[[ca:Balcans]]
[[cs:Balkán]]
[[da:Balkan]]
[[de:Balkanhalbinsel]]
[[et:Balkani poolsaar]]
[[el:Βαλκάνια]]
[[es:Península Balcánica]]
[[eo:Balkana Duoninsulo]]
[[fa:بالکان]]
[[fr:Balkans]]
[[gl:Balcáns]]
[[ko:발칸 반도]]
[[hr:Balkan]]
[[id:Balkan]]
[[is:Balkanskaginn]]
[[it:Penisola balcanica]]
[[he:חבל הבלקן]]
[[la:Balcania]]
[[lt:Balkanai]]
[[hu:Balkán]]
[[mk:Балкански Полуостров]]
[[nl:Balkan (schiereiland)]]
[[ja:バルカン半島]]
[[no:Balkan]]
[[pl:Półwysep Bałkański]]
[[pt:Bálcãs]]
[[ro:Balcani]]
[[ru:Балканский полуостров]]
[[simple:Balkans]]
[[sk:Balkánsky polostrov]]
[[sl:Balkan]]
[[sr:Балкан]]
[[fi:Balkan]]
[[sv:Balkanhalvön]]
[[th:คาบสมุทรบอลข่าน]]
[[zh:巴尔干半岛]]

Volkswagen Golf

2006-04-20T02:38:10Z

151.202.40.212: /* Mk V (2003-present) */

{| border=0 align=right
|-
|{{Infobox Automobile
|name=Volkswagen Golf
|aka=Volkswagen Rabbit Volkswagen Caribe Volkswagen Cabrio Volkswagen Cabriolet
|manufacturer=[[Volkswagen]]
|production=[[1974]]–
|related=[[Volkswagen Jetta|Volkswagen Jetta/Vento/Bora]] [[Volkswagen Touran]] [[Volkswagen Eos]] [[Audi A3]] [[Audi TT]] [[SEAT León]] [[Škoda Octavia]]
|class=[[FF layout|FF]] [[compact car]]
|similar=[[Mazda Mazda3]] [[Ford Focus]] [[Hyundai Elantra]] [[Peugeot 307]]
}}
|-
|{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Mk I
|aka=Volkswagen Rabbit Citi Golf
|image=[[Image:DSC02676.JPG|250px|Volkswagen Golf 1976 Mk1 (Australia)]]
|production=[[1974]]–present
|body_style=2-door [[convertible]] 3-door [[hatchback]] 5-door [[hatchback]] 2-door [[pickup truck]]
}}
|-
|{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Mk II
|image=[[Image:Golf15.jpeg|250px|MK II Volkswagen Golf]]
|production=[[1983]]–[[1992]]
|body_style=3-door [[hatchback]] 5-door [[hatchback]]
}}
|-
|{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Mk III
|aka=Volkswagen Cabrio
|image=[[Image:Mk3golf.jpg|250px|1998 Volkswagen Golf]]
|production=[[1991]]–[[1998]]
|body_style=3-door [[hatchback]] 4-door [[station wagon]] 5-door [[hatchback]]
}}
|-
|{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Mk IV
|image=[[Image:VW Golf IV.jpg|250px|Volkswagen Golf Mk IV]]
|production=[[1997]]–[[2005]]
|body_style=3-door [[hatchback]] 4-door [[station wagon]] 5-door [[hatchback]]
}}
|-
|{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Mk V
|aka=Volkswagen Rabbit
|image=[[Image:VW golf V.jpg|250px|Volkswagen Golf Mk V]]
|production=[[2003]]–present
|body_style=3-door [[hatchback]] 4-door [[station wagon]] 5-door [[hatchback]]
|related=[[Volkswagen Touran]] [[Volkswagen Jetta]] [[Volkswagen Eos]]
}}
|}
The '''Volkswagen Golf''' is a [[compact car]] / [[small family car]] manufactured by [[Volkswagen]]. The Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling badge in history, with more than 24 million built [[as of 2005]][http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_golf_vws_ace/index.htm]. Considering that the only thing successive generations of the Volkswagen Golf have in common is the name and a vague similarity, its claim to "[[List of bestselling vehicle nameplates|the best selling car of all-time worldwide]]" is dubious at best. That title remains firmly with its brother, the [[VW Beetle|Beetle]].

Most production of the Golf has been in the 3-door [[hatchback]] style. 5-door hatchback, [[station wagon]] (estate/Variant) and [[convertible]] ('''Cabrio''') variants have also been available, as well as a [[sedan]] (saloon) car based on the Golf (see [[Volkswagen Jetta]]). They have existed everywhere between basic personal cars and high-performance sports [[coupé]]s.

== History ==
The Golf is a historically important automobile, as it has been in continuous production from [[1974]] to the present day. It is an early example of a [[hot hatch]]. The Golf was also a crucial model for Volkswagen itself; by the early [[1970s]], the company was in serious financial trouble. [[Volkswagen Beetle|Beetle]] sales were in terminal decline, and car buyers increasingly turned away from Volkswagen's air-cooled, rear-engined models. The Type 3 and Type 4 failed to attract any interest, whilst the NSU-developed [[VW K70|K70]] was an unmitigated disaster. The savior of the German car giant came in the form of [[Auto Union]], which owned the famous [[Audi]] brand. Volkswagen had acquired the Ingolstadt Company in [[1964]] from [[Daimler-Benz]], and crucially gained access to Audi's expertise in water-cooled engines and [[front wheel drive]] which were needed to produce a new generation of Volkswagens. The Golf was the central product of this new strategy.

== Mk I (1974–present) ==
The first Golf began production in [[1974]]. Marketed in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] from [[1975]] to [[1984]] as the '''Volkswagen Rabbit''' and in [[Mexico]] as the '''Volkswagen Caribe''', it featured the water-cooled, [[front wheel drive]] design pioneered by the [[Citroën Traction Avant]] with the addition of a [[hatchback]] pioneered by the [[Renault 4]]. The Golf was ''[[Wheels magazine|Wheels]]'' magazine's [[Car of the Year]] for 1975.

While the Golf was not the first design with this layout (earlier examples being the [[Austin Maxi]] in the late [[1960s]] and the [[Fiat]] [[Fiat 128|128]] 3P of the early [[1970s]]), it was very successful, especially since it married these features with Volkswagen's reputation for solid build-quality and reliable engineering.

The Golf was designed by [[Italy|Italian]] automobile architect / designer [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]], of the [[ItalDesign]] design studio. A version of this original Golf model, known as the [[Volkswagen Citi]]Golf, is still produced in [[South Africa]] as an entry level car.

The GTI version, launched in Europe [[1976]] and the US in [[1983]], created a whole new type of car, the [[hot hatch]], and was widely copied by all other manufacturers since. It was one of the first small cars to adopt [[fuel injection]] for its sports version, which raised power output of the 1588 cc engine to 110 [[horsepower#PS|PS]] (81 kW/108 hp). In [[2004]], ''[[Sports Car International]]'' announced the GTI Mk I as the 3rd best car of the 1980s. In the United States, the Mk1 Golf GTI was known as the [[Rabbit GTI]]. For background to the development of the GTI, read, [http://www.matey-matey.com/gti_development.shtml "The People's Porsche"], an undergraduate dissertation.

There was a minor facelift in [[1980]], which saw the adoption of larger rear lamp clusters (more in line with Guigiaro's original concepts), larger bumpers, and a new dashboard with a more modern-looking instrument display.

The convertible version, named the Cabriolet, was sold from 1980 to [[1993]] (a convertible version of the Golf II was not made, so the Mk1 cabrio with slight modification was produced until the introduction of the Mk III cabrio). It had a reinforced body, transverse roll bar, and a high level of trim. The A1 Volkswagen convertible is of unibody construction built entirely at the factory of [[Karmann]], from stamping to final assembly; Volkswagen supplied the engine, suspension, interior, etc. for Karmann to install. The vinyl tops were insulated and manually operated, with a glass rear window.

As of 2006, Volkswagen of [[South Africa]] still manufactures two first generation Golfs, the four-door [[Volkswagen_Citi|"Citi" Golf]] and the [[Volkswagen_Caddy|"Pickup"]].

== Mk II (1983–1992) ==
The second-generation Golf was launched in [[1983]] (launched in North America in [[1985]]) and featured a larger bodyshell and a wider range of engine options, including a GTD (In euro markets, using the 1.6 'umwelt' diesel engine), a DOHC 1781cc (1.8) 16-valve version of the straight-four GTI (as well as the tried and tested 1781cc (1.8) 8v GTI), the supercharged 8v "G60" with 2wd and 4wd options, and a racing homologated variant of this, the "Rallye".

[[Image:Golf2_g60ltd_front.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Volkswagen Golf II]]A very limited edition hand-built Golf II variant exists, including all of the best features available at the time. Designed and built by the Volkswagen Motorsport division, only 72 of these "G60 Limited" models exist; featuring a unique number and plaque, the G60 [[supercharger]] was combined with the 16-valve GTI engine, mated to a sports transmission and Syncro [[four wheel drive]] mechanism. All of these special edition models came in black, with four doors (except two in three door), a plain two-headlight grille (not the usual GTI four headlights) and a unique blue grille detail (not red, as the GTI) and motorsport badges. It is rumored that two models were produced with air conditioning. In 1989, these cars cost in the region of £25,000 each and were primarily sold to VAG executives and management, although a few exist in Britain [[as of 2005]]. These cars produced 212bhp, making them the most powerful VW Golfs ever produced, until the introduction of the MKIV Golf R32 in 2003.

There was also a version called Golf Country, designed for light [[off-road]] driving. It had more suspension travel, four-wheel drive, bullbars (generally over a single headlight grill), a skidplate for protecting the engine area, and a spare wheel mounted externally on the back. In Europe it was offered with the acclaimed 112bhp 1.8 8v petrol engine, and in smaller numbers, the 75 hp 1.6 GTD turbo diesel engine. The Golf Country was particularly popular in Alpine regions in central Europe.

During the life of the Golf II, there were a number of external style revisions. The most notable was the introduction of so called "Big Bumpers", which were introduced between 1989 and 1990 in the European market. Other notable changes to the looks of the Golf II include the removal of quarterlight windows in the front doors, in favour of single piece glass circa 1987. Also the introduction of larger grill slats circa 1987.

The GTI was ''[[Motor Trend]]'' magazine's [[Car of the Year]] for 1985, as well as VWVortex's "Best Golf of all time". The MkII GTI failed to make the same waves as the MkI, and failed to win back the Golf GTI's fanbase which had adopted the Peugeot 205 GTI.

As with the Mk1, there was a "warm hatch" version known as the Golf Driver. Introduced in [[1988]], it featured the GTI's exterior styling, namely the twin front headlamps, and wheelarch spoilers but with a standard 1.6 L engine. For the last year of production, the Driver was given a carburetted version of the GTI's 1781cc engine.

== Mk III (1991–1998) ==
[[Image:One_Jimmy.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Volkswagen Golf III]]

The third-generation Golf was launched in November of 1991, although it did not appear in North America until 1993. The third-generation Golf was elected [[Car of the Year]] in [[1992]]. For the first time a station wagon derivative was produced. The GTI variants (especially with the straight-four 4 cylinder engine) are considered to be the poorest of the performance Golfs, with significantly increased weight, but with minimal power increases. A "best of breed" VR6 variant exists which was available in a well regarded "Highline" trim; this 2.8 L VR6 engine gave a significant boost in power to 174 PS (128 kW/172 hp) for the Mk.III, a car weighing only about 1285 kg (2836 lb). Compare that to the Mk.II GTI that weighed 285 kg (629 lb) less but had only 139 PS (102 kW/137 hp) and a much smaller engine to tune (1.8 L). The convertible version was called the Cabrio.

A 16-valve version of the third-generation Golf GTI was introduced in 1993. This model was greeted with a muted sense of disenchantment with the motoring press. The engine was the same enlarged to 2.0 L, with power now reaching 150 PS (110 kW/148 hp). While underpowered compared to the VR6, it was still relatively popular with driving enthusiasts in Europe (North America didn't get the GTI version proper, but had the name applied to the VR6 engine). Once again the Golf Driver version took its place as the official GTI-look-alike but with a more humble single-point injected 1.8 L engine.

The Golf MkIII was also the predecessor of the diesel craze that swept through Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Volkswagen introduced the pump-injector system in the Golf TDI in 1996. At 110 PS (81 kW/108 hp) for a 1.9 L engine, it wasn't the first diesel engine installed in a road car to achieve over 50 hp/L, but it showed the public that diesel engines could be powered without losing their fuel efficiency, while also retaining massive amounts of low-end torque, in the TDI's case, 235 N·m (173 lbf·ft) at 1900 rpm.

During the [[1990s]], Volkswagen sponsored three high-profile rock bands' European tours, and issued a special-edition Golf, with distinctive exterior markings, for each: the Golf [[Pink Floyd]] Edition ([[1994]]), the Golf [[Rolling Stones]] Edition ([[1995]]), and the Golf [[Bon Jovi]] Edition ([[1996]]).

In 1996 Volkswagen produced a limited 1000 special-edition 3-door '20th Anniversary' GTI's. These had the usual GTI specification but a came with checkered GTI logo'd Recaro sport seats, red seat belts, half-chrome golf ball gear knob, red stitching on the steering wheel and on the handbrake gatter and silver dialed instruments. The red theme continued externally with a red striping on the bumpers and red brake calipers, the wheels were 16" split rim BBS alloys, visually similar to the 15" that were found on VR6 model. Brush stainless steel rear twin tailpipes on the exhaust and smoked front fog and indicator lamps to match the rear lamps. 3 optional extras were made available; electric sunroof, air conditioning and metallic black paintwork. Insurance was based on the standard GTI which made this version a very desirable model. The edition was sold in only 6 colour schemes and the 1000 number figures that were produced was as follows; 600 8 valve models, 150 16 valve models and 250 TDI models. The diesel model was only produce for the European market and wasn't sold in the UK. Together with the 'colour concept' version that was produced during the final months before the production of the Mk.IV version, the 20th Anniversary model will probably be seen as the one of the rarest MK.III models.

===Mk III editions===
<gallery>
Image:Golf_Pink_Floyd.jpg|Pink Floyd
Image:VWGolfPinkFloydLogo.jpg|Close-up of Pink Floyd lettering on Variant
Image:GolfRollingStones.jpg|Rolling Stones
Image:VWGolfNewOrleans.jpg|New Orleans
Image:VWGolfEuropeEdition.jpg|Europe
Image:GolfBonJoviLogo.jpg|Bon Jovi
Image:GolfAvenueLogo.jpg|Avenue
Image:GolfMovieLogo.jpg|Movie
Image:GolfJokerLogo.jpg|Joker
Image:GolfSavoyLogo.jpg|Savoy
Image:VWGolfSpecialEdition.jpg|Special
</gallery>

==Mk IV (1997-2005)==
Launched in 1997 the Golf IV was the latest version of Volkswagen iconic model, and it became the biggest selling car in Europe at one point. It was a deliberate attempt to take the Golf further upmarket, with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels. Overall the level of maturity of the design and its target audience were also evident — the humorous plays on the game of golf which resulted in special edition models of the three earlier generations being called "Golf Ryder", "Golf Driver", not to mention the GTI's "golf ball" gearlever knob were dropped.

===Design and engineering===
As with the Mk 4 Passat the year before the Golf Mk IV was a very significant car in its class. As with its big brother not only was it the first step of VW moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between the mainstream machines and the premium cars, with SEAT and Skoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands, it also brought in a new level of interior quality and sophistication never seen before from a mainstream brand in the class. In fact, the quality of the Golf was on a par with its sister Audi A3 from the year before. Although costing slightly more than its rivals, the price difference showed when it came to luxury and upmarket feel. Rivals launched beforehand now appeared cheap, while famously [[Ford]] engineers and designers were so far advanced with the yet-to-be-launched Mk I [[Focus]] they were unable to react to the Golf and could only make minor changes to the Focus' interior which Ford initially felt would be ahead of rivals.

However, the advent of the Mk IV Golf meant that many mainstream rivals in the class had to raise their game with interior quality to the point where there are now virtually no differences in quality levels between some mainstream and premium cars in the class. Only the budget brands in the class have not raised their game, but this is reflected in their prices. More telling though is that the quality of the Mk IV was not repeated 100% in its replacement.

Styling wise the latest model remained faithful to the Golf concept but included some of the new styling themes first seen on the Mk IV Passat. The overall effect was considered to be far more pleasing than the previous model

However, the upgrade of the vehicle's interior materials and exterior details appeared to have been done at the expense of the vehicle's chassis which was average. Although the ride and handling was inferior to that of the Mk IV [[Vauxhall Astra]]/Mk II [[Opel Astra]] the average dynamics were reasonably well concealed in daily driving, though, and the car's reputation was unscathed until the [[Ford Focus]] was launched a year later. The chassis ability of the Ford was to have a profound effect on the Mk IV Golf's replacement.

As with the Golf II, a convertible version of the Golf IV was never made, although the Golf III Cabrio was facelifted to give it the frontal styling of the Golf IV hatchbacks.

===Volkswagen Bora/Mk IV Volkswagen Jetta===
A saloon version of the Mk IV Golf was spawned and, as with previous incarnations of the Golf, it had its own identity and this time was called the [[Volkswagen Bora]] although the name Jetta remained in North America. Unlike its predecessors though the Bora/Jetta featured unique rear doors, front wings and bonnet in addition to it's predecessor's unique grille and lights. The front doors were the only panels shared with the Golf. The interior though was identical to the Golf, featuring none of the very minor styling changes found on its predecessor.

The Golf IV was made in [[Germany]], [[South Africa]], [[Slovakia]], [[Brazil]], [[Mexico]] and [[Belgium]]. The Golf IV was also made in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], in Vogošća (near [[Sarajevo]]) in TAS, where Mk.I and Mk.II models were also made. This Bosnian Mk.IV was for local market only. Engine choices included 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.3, 2.8 and 3.2  L gasoline engines, and a 1.9 L diesel, with power ranging from 68 to 150 PS (50 to 110 kW). A choice of three and five-door hatchbacks or a five-door station wagon was available. Note that the European Golf wagon is shorter than the American Jetta wagon.

This model was introduced to North America in mid [[1999]]. Available engines for the Golf at its introduction to the American market were a 2.0 L gasoline and a 1.9 L [[Turbocharger|turbocharged]] [[diesel]] [[Turbo Direct Injection|TDI]]. A 1.8 L turbocharged gas engine was introduced in [[2000]], along with the 12-valve 2.8 L VR6. The 2.0 L gasoline was the base engine in the sportier GTI only as a [[1999.5]] model. For 2000, Volkswagen opted for the relatively new 1.8 L turbocharged gasoline engine as a base engine for the GTI. The top of the line GLX model was equipped with Volkswagen's signature, torquey 2.8 L VR6 which put out an impressive 174 hp. The VR6 engine was unique to the Volkswagen brand due to it's narrow 15-degree angle camshaft design. The benefit of this design is a lighter engine that helps out with the handling characteristics of a front-wheel drive car. In [[2003]], Volkswagen introduced a 24-valve version of it's VR6 engine. This engine had the same torque characteristics of the older 12-valve version except with an extra 26 hp. This engine featured the first 6-speed manual available in the MK IV platform. The 1.8T and VR6 models continued until [[2005]] when the MK IV platform came to an end.

=== GTI 337 edition (2002)===
The GTI 337 was officially introduced at the New York Auto Show and made it to dealers by late May [[2002]]. The price of the GTI 337 was $22,225 in the U.S. and $32,900 in Canada. Only 1,500 units are being produced for the American market with an additional 250 specifically for Canada and it only came in Reflex Silver.

"The 337 name comes from the code name for the Golf model back in the early 1970s," said Frank Maguire, vice president in charge of sales and marketing at Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The GTI is the sport version of the Golf and since we didn't begin selling the GTI here until 1983, the name 337 seemed like a nice way to recognize the history of this vehicle and make it meaningful to our most enthusiastic drivers. This is a very unique car for the Volkswagen lover."

Starting with a 180 hp 1.8T GTI GLS, the following extra equipment and changes have been made:

18" BBS RC Wheels with 225/40-ZR18 High-Performance Summer Tires | Greatly improved sport suspension — 1" lower overall ride height | Votex body kit with front valance, side skirts, rear hatch wing and rear valance with 3" chromed exhaust tip | 315 mm (12.4") diameter vented front and 256 mm (10") rear vented brakes with red powder coated calipers | All-new six-speed MQ350 transmission | Recaro front seats in special "LeMans" red and black cloth with custom GTI embroidery | Brushed aluminum interior trim accents | Red stitching on steering wheel, shift boot, handbrake knob and seats | Special golf ball shift knob | Aluminum pedals with rubber inserts | Stainless steel exhaust with mild sound tuning | Red trimmed floor mats | Special exterior retro GTI badging | Monsoon sound system (U.S. only) | and more

===20th anniversary edition (2003)===
[[Image:StockSide001.jpg|thumbnail|250px|2003 VW Golf GTI 20th Anniversary]]
Due to the popularity of a commemorative 25th anniversary edition GTI produced in Europe in 2001 (GTI 337 edition in North America), Volkswagen of America produced 4,200 so-branded '20th Anniversary Edition' GTIs and 4000 were shipped to the United States and 200 to Canada. This event, in [[2003]] marked the 20th anniversary of the GTI's first introduction to the US, then called the Rabbit. Several special features distinguish this new GTI from the rest of the pack.

On the outside, the 20th came with throwback red-lettered 'GTI' logos on the left front and right rear. The rear was also accompanied by a vintage-look chrome rabbit. Blackened headlights and dark-tinted tail lights added a distinctive look, while Votex front, rear, and side skirts along with a hatch spoiler and special edition 18" OZ Aristo alloy wheels complete the exterior transformation. These models were produced only in three colors: Imola Yellow, Jazz Blue and Black Magic Pearl. Distribution of production was 50% Black magic pearl, 25% Jazz Blue and 25% Imola Yellow.

Inside, a few accents were noticeable. Unlike other models, there were no 'options' available. The only true option was ESP, Volkswagen's stability control feature. All 20ths had a sunroof, black leathered with silver stitching steering wheel, shifter boot and emergency brake handle, and sporty black cloth [[Recaro]] bucket seats with silver stitching accents and a red 'GTI' emblem embroidered in the middle of the back rest. Aluminum trim came standard, complete with a numbered nameplate above the center console identifying the exact production number (US production only) of the vehicle and a black headliner. This edition also came with a special golf ball shifter knob. Volkswagen's premier 8-speaker [[Monsoon]](tm) stereo system was also standard.

Mechanically speaking, this was the average GTI 1.8T GLS with a few exceptions. A 6-speed manual MQ350 transmission marked the most notable departure from the norm, and upgraded suspension stiffened up the ride and lowered the car approximately 40 mm (uprated springs and shocks, increased sway bar diameters, and revised bushings in the rear). Upgraded disc brakes front (12.3" vented rotors) and rear (10.3" vented rotors) helped bring things to a stop, while red powder-coated calipers added a bit of flair to the package.

===Golf R32 (2003-2004)===
In [[2003]] Volkswagen produced the Golf R32 in Europe. Again, due to unexpected popularity, Volkswagen (through Volkswagen of America) decided to sell the car in [[North America]] (except [[Canada]]) as the [[2004]] Volkswagen R32. Billed as the pinnacle of the Golf IV platform, the R32 included every performance, safety, and luxury feature VW had to offer including the all new 3.2 L VR6 engine producing 240hp, [[all wheel drive|AWD]], a new 6-speed manual transmission, independent rear suspension, automatic climate control, sport seats from Koenig, 18" OZ Aristo wheels, ESP, massive (334 mm) brakes, sunroof, and model specific bodywork.

In spite of outwardly appearing very similar to the 20th Anniversary GTI, the R32 shared the vast majority of its major components with the 3.2 L [[Audi TT]]. Five thousand cars were produced and intended to be sold over a 2-year period. Each car was sold just 13 months later.

This was a venture put out by Volkswagen which was considered to be a corporate gamble. Volkswagen surprisingly sold all 5,000 R32s in America with little marketing and advertisements.

The Golf R32's competitors (at the time of production) were the [[Subaru Impreza WRX|Subaru Impreza WRX STi]] and the [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution|Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII]], although, unlike these cars, the R32 was not run by Volkswagen in rally competitions, and lacked the playstation appeal and ultimate status as those cars.

The R32 remains the quickest car Volkswagen has imported to the U.S. Capable of 60 mph in only 5.8 seconds, and clearing the 1/4 mile in only 14.1 (@99.2 mph), it edges out its sportiest sibling (the Phaeton W12 - 420 PS) by a tenth of a second by the 1320 foot mark.

==Mk V (2003-present)==

The fifth generation Golf was unveiled at the [[Frankfurt Motor Show]] in October of 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. It was not released in the United States until January of 2006, however, and then only in GTI form through Spring 2006. For the presentation of the new Golf, [[Wolfsburg]] was renamed to Golfsburg for a week. Before the [[North American]] launch of the Golf (expected in early summer of 2006), Volkswagen announced on April 12, 2006, that they have decided to change the name of the Golf and return the Rabbit nameplate to the lineup.

===Design and engineering===
While the interior quality of the previous model startled rivals and led most of them to up their game in revised/replacement models, the astonishing chassis and all round ability of the Mk I [[Ford Focus]] startled Volkswagen (and indeed other rivals). In order to counter criticisms of the average dynamics of the previous model, it is widely reputed that Volkswagen "poached" from [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] the engineering team who designed the [[Multi-link suspension|multi-link]] 'control blade' rear [[suspension]] system of the [[Ford Focus]], widely regarded as the class benchmark for ride and handling. Indeed, the rear suspension of Golf V (a modified wishbone arrangement) bears an uncanny resemblance to that of the Focus.

The suspension changes, along with careful tuning of the chassis, led to the Mk V Golf delivering road manners which challenged the Ford Focus, and although the chassis ability was only just short of the Focus', the overall ability of the rest of the car led to the Mk V Golf being the best car in its class until the Mk 2 Ford Focus arrived in 2004.

The bulletproof interior quality of the previous generation appears to have been lost, and although still of a very high standard the Golf no longer matches its in-house rival, the Audi A3. Many believe the reason for this step back in quality, also seen in the Mk V Passat of 2005, is to allow daylight between the marketing and price positioning of Audi and Volkswagen products. The previous generation Volkswagens were on a par with their Audi cousins.

===Engines===
Options for engines and [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]]s vary from country to country, but the Golf is available in [[Straight-4|4-cylinder]] and [[turbo direct injection]] [[diesel engine|diesel]]-engined models in most places, with transmission options that include [[Manual transmission|manual]], [[Automatic transmission|automatic]], [[Tiptronic]], and [[direct shift gearbox]]. US and Canadian-spec Rabbits will use the same 150hp five-cylinder gasoline engine that powers the [[Jetta]] and [[New Beetle]] in these markets. North American transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with [[Tiptronic]]. All of the Golf's engines, including the VR6, have the engine mounting points in the same place, making it possible to remove one engine and replace it with another while making few other modifications to the car.

===Mk V Jetta===
A saloon version of the Mk V Golf was spawned in 2004 and, as with previous incarnations of the Golf, it maintained its own identity, a practice long abandoned by most rivals. While the Jetta name has always remained in North America the name made a welcome return to Europe, Volkswagen choosing to abandon the Bora handle.

As with its predecessor the saloon featured unique front wings and rear doors, but this time round the front doors were also unique meaning that the only external panel shared with the Golf was the bonnet. As with all Golf saloons, the Jetta featured a unique grille which is only shared with Golf R32 (although the GLi variant has the Golf GTi's front end). Unlike all previous saloon variants though the front lights were shared with the Golf.

As with the previous Jetta/Bora Volkswagen is again trying to market the car as a rival to mainstream cars from the class above, such as the [[Ford Mondeo]] and [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]]/[[Opel]]/[[Holden]]/[[Chevrolet]][[Vectra]] and leaving the [[Passat]] to compete against the premium marques. The smaller Jetta though is still a Golf saloon whose true rivals are the [[Ford Focus]], Vauxhall/Opel/Holden Astra etc.

===Variants===
In [[December 2004]], Volkswagen announced the '''Golf Plus''' variant of the Golf V. It is taller than the "regular" Golf but shorter than the [[Volkswagen Touran|Touran]], the [[Multi-purpose vehicle|MPV]] version of the Golf. The Plus would replace the Variant [[station wagon]] in the Golf lineup, although the Variant might be released.

There will be no [[convertible]] version of the Golf V, as the [[Volkswagen Eos|Eos]] [[coupé]]-[[convertible]] (to be introduced in Spring 2006) will be marketed as a separate model, and does not share any body panels with another Volkswagen model — although it is based on the Jetta/Golf platform.

=== Performance models ===
[[Image:Golf GTI Mark V.JPG|thumbnail|250px|Mk V GTI with 18" wheels]]


The Golf V GTI is hailed as a return to form for the creator of the genre. The production Golf GTI was unveiled at the [[Los Angeles Auto Show]] in January, 2006 and the 3-door GTI appeared at [[United States]] dealerships beginning later that month. The 5-door version is expected to arrive around the same time as the standard Golf (Rabbit) sometime in summer 2006. The GTI features a 200hp 2.0T FSI ([[Fuel Stratified Injection]]) engine, a [[turbocharger]] and DSG([[direct-shift gearbox]]).

The [[U.S.]] version of the Golf V GTI is virtually identical to the [[Germany|German]] car with the exception of a few details. Cosmetically you'll find orange side marker lights in the sides of the front bumper ([[U.S.]] requirement), the 17" wheel from the [[Jetta]] GLI (the 18" wheel is the same as the [[Germany|German]]-market car) and a 15mm higher ride height to ensure a five-star side-impact crash rating in the [[United States]]. Otherwise the outside of the car remains true to the [[European]] version with that distinctive black snout, standard high intensity discharge (HID)headlamps, honeycomb mesh grill inserts, black bodykit piece, etc. — very little was changed overall. A four door version was also announced for the summer of [[2006]] for the first time ever in the [[U.S.]]

In late September, the R32 will be sold in Europe. It features a 3.2 L V6 FSI engine with 250 hp (184 kW) and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h. Going from 0 to 100 km/h will take a brisk 6.5 s, reduced to 6.2 s with the [[direct-shift gearbox]]. As with the previous R32; there is permanent 4MOTION [[all wheel drive]] through 18" Zolder 20-spoke alloy wheels. Stopping the R32 comes in the form of blue-painted brake calipers with 345 mm discs at the front and 310 mm disks at the rear.

In September 2005, the Golf V GT was announced, which featured a 1.4 L engine in a new and impressive Twin-Charger configuration. This new TSI engine is based on the recent FSI, but with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single [[supercharger]] that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single [[turbocharger]]. This system could benefit from both of the efficiency of the supercharger in the lower rev ranges, with the longevity of the turbocharger when in full flight.

The American ad campaign for the GTI features "your fast" (a small demon in your car urging you to speed up, seen in not just VWs but also in other cars) with the tagline "Make friends with your fast". However, recently those ads were dropped as too odd and were replaced with a series of ads starring [[Peter Stormare]] as a "German engineer" hired to "[[Pimp My Ride|un-pimp ze auto]]" by taking [[tuner]] cars and smashing them, giving their owners a GTI instead. The slogan is "Pre-tuned by German engineers", however Stomare's lines of "[[VDub]]: representing Deutschland, baby" and "V-Dub: German, engineering, in da house!", delivered with a stilted German accent and coupled with a "[[VDub]]" hand motion, that have popularized the ads.

== Recent trends ==
1. Increasingly, vr6 and 1.8t engine from the MKIV models are being installed in MKII GTIs. For this modification, the 1.8t engine is the more popular choice, because it is easier and less expensive to upgrade the 1.8t engine than the vr6.{{fact}}

2. The most common upgrades for the 1.8t and 2.0t Engine is "chipping" (computer tuning). Since these engines have an electronically controlled wastegate for the turbo, one can control the boost pressure to the engine by installing an upgraded chip. For example, for a mere $500 dollars for a chip and another $1,500 required for intake and exhaust upgrades, the 180hp model GTI is commonly boosted to over 200WHP.{{fact}}

3. For the vr6 Engine, there are not as many options except for building a stronger engine block to sustain a supercharger or turbo kit, which costs thousands of dollars. Upgrades to the exhaust, intake, and computer chip typically yield negligible results.{{fact}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.vw.com/golf/ VW Golf] – Official site
* [http://www.vwvortex.com/ VWvortex] — One of the largest Volkswagen communities on the internet.
* [http://www.vwtraderonline.com/ VWTraderOnline - Volkswagen Classified Website]
* [http://www.golfmkv.com/ Golf Mk-5 Enthusiast Site] – Enthusiast Site with forums, pictures, videos and wallpapers just on the 5th gen Golf
* http://www.tdiclub.com — A website dedicated to the VW TDI engine
* [http://www.autoguidewiki.com/2004_Volkswagen_Golf_GL_TDI_Auto_4_Dr AutoGuideWiki.com]
* [http://used-volkswagen-golf.freeway.co.uk Used VW Golf information]
* [http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/13/vw-golf-gt-with-tsi/ Frankfurt Auto Show Pictures of the GT with TSI]
* [http://paultan.org/archives/2005/09/15/volkswagen-golf-gt-14-tsi-and-20-tdi/ More regarding the Golf V GT with TSI]
* [http://www.golfgti.co.uk/ GolfGTI.co.uk] — Information and discussion about all versions of the Golf.
* [http://www.gti-vr6.net/wiki/ The GTI VR6 Wiki] – info, how-tos, etc. on the Mk 3 and Mk 4 Golf-based GTI VR6 (was the GTI VR6 "library")
* [http://www.mkv-gti.net/wiki/ The MkV GTI Wiki] – info, how-tos, etc. on the Mk 5 GTI
* The [http://r32registry.org/ American R32 Registry] - aims to account for all 5,000 R32s sold in United States
* [http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1285689 Volkwagen R32 FAQ]

{{Early European Volkswagen vehicles}}
{{Modern European Volkswagen vehicles}}

[[Category:Volkswagen vehicles|Golf]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:1970s automobiles]]
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