The 2nd generation VW Golf, the Mk2 became the number one choice for middle class Europe at its launch. At its launch in August 1983, the world motoring press were impressed with its total package, especially its space. “The wheelbase was now 75 mm longer, while the track width at the front had been increased by 23 mm and at the back by 50 mm. Total length had increased by 170 mm (now 3.99 m) and the width by 55 mm (now 1.42 m). The level of comfort, measured by the space between accelerator pedal and rear seatback, had increased by 37 mm to 1,837 mm, while elbow room in the front was now 92 mm wider and in the back up by 112 mm. On the four-door model the increase was even 120 mm making it roomier than the immediate competition and with class best build quality.
It was the Golf with which the regulated catalytic converter (1984), the anti-lock braking system (ABS, 1986) and power-steering first took off in the Golf class and with which four-wheel drive (Syncro, 1986) was available for the first time. And as far back as 1989 – 24 years ago – Volkswagen was already unveiling a prototype of this Golf with an electric engine and another with a hybrid drive system. In June 1988, 14 years after its debut, the Golf had also broken through the magical production mark of 10 million units. In 1991, after 6.41 million of its kind had been sold, the Golf Mk2 gave way to make room for the successor.
