50 years of the VW Golf

The great leap forward: the Golf V

The new VW Golf V appeared even sportier and also offered noticeably more space and comfort.(Bild: Krone KREATIV,)

Volkswagen broke down class barriers with the Golf V: With its excellent comfort, the fifth Golf left many a competitor in the higher mid-range class behind in 2003. The same applied to quality. Together with VW, we are celebrating 50 years of the Golf - and you can win.

The next Golf generation went on sale in October 2003. Once again, the designers in Wolfsburg succeeded in an ingenious manner in continuing the style of the Golf, modernizing it and yet still keeping it clearly recognizable as a Golf. The new VW Golf V appeared even sportier and also offered noticeably more space and comfort. 

One value that underpinned the stability of the laser-welded body was the 35 percent increase in torsional rigidity. The fifth generation also scored points with a new four-link rear axle, bi-xenon headlights and the first 7-speed DSG. The chassis also underwent extensive modifications to the front suspension struts, while a completely new four-link axle was used at the rear. Electromechanical power steering was also offered. Every Golf now had six airbags as standard, including head airbags extending over the entire flank of the interior on both sides.

Golf V GTI inspires the fan community on its 30th birthday
The VW Golf V GTI thrilled the fan community with its new, unique styling with honeycomb grille, red-painted brake callipers and, above all, a new engine, the turbo direct injection engine. The 2.0 TFSI with a whopping 147 kW (200 PS), combined with the six-speed gearbox, was very much to their taste. The further optimized chassis was also ideally equipped. For its 30th birthday, the GTI was given thirty additional horsepower, one for each year.

From the end of 2004, the Golf Plus, the Golf with the slightly higher body, expanded the model range with a new space concept. The new VW Golf V Variant was presented in spring 2007. In the same year, the twenty-five millionth Golf rolled off the production line. When the Golf VI was presented in 2008, 3.4 million of the fifth generation had been produced in all versions.

*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
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 until May 19. 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.