VI
EN
No longer the traditional launch in a closed room, Volkswagen chose an outdoor, intimate, and experiential space, both to retell the old story and to start a new journey of Golf in Vietnam.
The eight-generation journey of the Volkswagen Golf
Six Golf versions appear on the track
Launched in 1974, the Golf is not only Volkswagen's most successful model but also one of the most popular cars in the world, with more than 37 million units sold worldwide. For 50 years, the Golf has held a special position: compact enough for urban use, yet powerful and with a balance between driving performance and convenience.
In Vietnam, Golf used to only appear through small import channels. This time, Volkswagen Vietnam officially distributes six versions, divided into three groups:
- Golf 1.5 eTSI (Life, Style, R-Line) – uses a 1.5L Mild Hybrid engine, 150 ps capacity, 7-speed DSG gearbox, aiming for economical and smooth operation.
- Golf GTI (Lite, Performance) – 2.0 TSI engine, 245 ps, sports brakes and IQ.Light Matrix LED lighting system.
- Golf R Performance 4Motion – highest performance version, 320 ps, 4-wheel drive, equipped with DCC chassis adjustment system and Race driving mode.
The car line is developed on the MQB Evo platform, which is the common platform of the eighth generation Golf, focusing on stable operation and driver experience.
From technique to emotion
In the new generation, Golf not only retains the familiar style but also shows a different direction of Volkswagen in Vietnam: bringing electrification technology into the product, starting with the eTSI Mild Hybrid system.
The Digital Cockpit Pro, 10-inch central display, 30-color Ambient Light interior lighting and sports seats are details that show Volkswagen's approach to modern users, combining functionality and experience.
The Golf GTI and Golf R still play their traditional roles: the brand's sporting icons. They offer quick, responsive acceleration, but are tightly controlled by the chassis and brakes. While the eTSI is suited to urban environments, the GTI and R are aimed at speed lovers - those who seek the feeling of driving rather than just moving.
Volkswagen doesn’t call the Golf a “legend,” but presents it as a car that has grown with its driver. The “timelessness” here lies in the way the Golf adapts to technology and tastes, while still retaining the identity of the German hatchback: compact, refined, precise.
The Golf launch took place within the framework of Volkswagen Experience Day - the first brand event organized by Volkswagen Vietnam. Not only introducing new products, Experience Day is also an opportunity for attendees to test drive the entire Volkswagen range, from Touareg, Teramont, Tiguan, Viloran to Golf.
On the open field, the test drives were designed to demonstrate handling and stability. In the demonstration area, the Golf GTI and Golf R Performance models performed short drifts, demonstrating the power of the 2.0 TSI turbocharged engine and the controllability of the 4Motion system.
In addition to the technical part, the event also has a small exhibition area displaying the development history of Golf, booths of partners such as Hi-Kool, VIB, Liberty, Aerowash - brands that accompany Volkswagen in Vietnam. Visitors can meet goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang, who has been attached to the Golf line for more than 15 years, sharing personal stories about his "companion" on the road of life.
All of this creates a gentle, unpretentious festival where car lovers can experience, chat and observe how the German brand is present in Vietnam in a more intimate way.
Golf in the new context
Volkswagen’s return to the Golf is not just to expand its product range. In the Vietnamese car market, where SUVs and electric cars are dominant, the presence of a traditional hatchback is somewhat bold. The Golf represents a separate group of customers - those who consider driving a personal pleasure, preferring flexibility in the city over size or ground clearance.
Lights, smoke and engine noise - Golf begins its new journey on the Vietnamese racetrack
Volkswagen's Golf range is developed in three main versions, from economy, sport to high-performance, reflecting a strategy of product diversification on the same technical platform. Although not focused on sales targets, the Golf holds an iconic position in the company's portfolio, affirming its commitment to maintaining traditional German engineering values in the context of globalization and electrification.
