50 years of the VW Golf

The fourth generation: the Golf IV style icon

Launched in 1997, the Golf IV is now considered a style icon.(Bild: Krone KREATIV,)

It is still the most successful Volkswagen and the best-selling European car of all time: The Golf captured the spirit of the times, became the namesake of its class and has accompanied generations of people worldwide. Launched in 1997, the Golf IV is now regarded as a style icon. We are celebrating together with VW - and you can win.

The fourth generation of the Golf had its world premiere at the 1997 International Motor Show (IAA). It too was a worthy addition to the ranks of its predecessors and again set new standards. Its strengths lay in the consistency and continuity of its design. Today, the Golf IV is certainly also considered a style icon because its clarity and the C-pillar design that characterized the series built a bridge to the Golf I of 1974. The Golf had now undisputedly matured into a premium vehicle.

New quality standard in the segment
The interior of the new model series was particularly impressive due to its high quality. The base model of the VW Golf IV already included four airbags, and side head airbags were also available as an option. From model year 2000, ESP was standard equipment on the Golf - the first in its class.

In 2002, Volkswagen presented the sportiest Golf to date on the basis of the fourth generation: the 250 km/h fast R32. In 2003, it was the first Volkswagen to be equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). The diesel segment also experienced a further leap in development with the new pump-injector technology, which produced up to 110 kW (150 PS) from the 1.9-liter TDI.

Volkswagen duly celebrated the millennium with the delivery of the twenty millionth Golf. In 2003, after 4.9 million units, the Golf IV made way for the Golf V on the production lines. 

*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
Until May 19, 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. Search for one of the eight VW Golf generations on krone.at and with one click it will end up in your digital collection album.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 and stand a chance of winning 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.