The Volkswagen Golf. Eighth generation on the market since 1974. Loved by some, reviled by others. After the Beetle, it brought mass mobility, you learned to drive on it, and you might slip into the ditch for the first time in winter with it. And: The VW Golf has always been a lesson in innovative interior design. We take a look back and forward. Was everything really better in the past, what are the pitfalls of today’s operating systems?
Golf I: Ashtrays and FM radio made people happy
Some controls have remained almost unchanged for 46 years, others have been redesigned or replaced. It all started with the Golf I and a simple but equally functional cockpit. The steering wheel, turn signal and windshield wiper levers as well as the gear shift are where we can still find them today. The VHF radio (with manual sliding arrows for “storing stations”), the fan control (without air conditioning) as well as the cigarette lighter and ashtray were also directly accessible. Now a relic from days gone by: the crank handle for the window regulator.
Golf II: available for the first time with digital speedometer
The Golf II was much more disguised than the debut. Thicker plastics, wider doors, but all controls are still where you would expect them to be. Electric windows and air conditioning noticeably upgraded the Volkswagen of the 1980s. The Wolfsburg-based company dared to carry out larger experiments with the speedometer. For the first time the forerunner of today’s digital speedometers was available to buy. The “DigiFiz”. The digital driver information center, as Volkswagen called it, was a liquid crystal screen and could display elementary parameters such as speed, distance, fuel reserve or service requirements.
Golf III: From 300,000 to 0 kilometers
Due to a lack of demand, the DigiFiz was no longer offered in the Golf III from 1991. Only two digital displays in the instrument cluster were able to prevail, showing the total mileage, daily mileage and service requirements. An extended on-board computer was optionally available. However, this type of “digitization” already had a decisive disadvantage. If a Golf III reaches 300,000 kilometers, the total mileage jumps back to zero. Electric window lifters, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and air conditioning were still not standard, but were now part of the good quality of the extra equipment. For the first time there was a rotary switch for the headlights, the airbag was introduced.
Golf IV: upper class in a compact format
The cockpit of the VW Golf IV from 1997 was like a revolution. For a surcharge, everything was now available that was otherwise only known from the luxury class at that time: on-board computer with driver information system, map navigation, telephone with hands-free system. To the displeasure of many, the air conditioning controls moved further down, now the “on-board photainment” was more important. The first conflicts in the usability arose. The optional MFD radio navigation system was the most modern technology at the time, but it did not always shine with its well thought-out menu navigation. Numerous setting options distracted the driver from the road. Electric windows in the front were still not standard.
Golf V: double DIN and steering wheel control
Volkswagen responded to the criticism with the Golf V from 2003 onwards. The cockpit was now always based on a “double DIN layout” of the radio and navigation systems, and the air conditioning system moved up a bit. A Bluetooth hands-free system was available for the first time, and control buttons on the steering wheel were another novelty. The steadily advancing media offer made it necessary to give the driver additional control options.
Golf VI: Actually just a facelift
The Golf VI was available from 2008. It represented the logical further development of the predecessor and was only slightly changed in the interior. The operation via the steering wheel moved further into focus. The driver information in the instrument cluster was given additional functions and voice control could also be ordered.
Golf VII: a quantum leap towards the modern age
Since the changes compared to the Golf V were limited, the Golf VI is often said to have been nothing more than a major facelift. Its construction time was correspondingly short and the seventh generation of the Golf followed in 2012. A quantum leap into the modern age. Even more buttons on the steering wheel, numerous assistance systems, high-resolution screens and finally even a fully digital instrument panel. In addition to extensive media and smartphone integration, keyword Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the touch screen was also used for the first time to set driving-related parameters. Volkswagen began to move away from real switches and buttons, most recently the haptic volume control disappeared.
Golf VIII: digital overkill
The new radical in the compact segment was presented to the world at the end of 2019. The Golf VIII breaks with numerous traditions, reduces the operating elements to the bare essentials and retires even the climate control. Rather, the vehicle is now operated via the central on-board screen. Regardless of whether it is radio settings, interior temperature or adjusting the individual driving modes – in the eighth Golf all of this is done via the driver-oriented touchscreen. A further developed voice control and even more buttons on the steering wheel should make the elimination of real switches bearable.
Analog instruments have had their day behind the steering wheel. A manual switch is still available, but the automatic selector lever has been replaced by a selector stub with shift-by-wire technology. The operation of the Golf has been criticized because the driver is more distracted than ever from the road. For the first time, a diskless head-up display is also available.
Conclusion
From the mobilizing mass phenomenon to the digital command post. The success story of the VW Golf has been going on for 46 years, the days when manual window regulators and an ashtray were enough to satisfy potential buyers are over. But it is not just Volkswagen that is facing an ever-increasing conflict between increasing digitalization and usability. The Golf VIII marks a limit here that can no longer be easily crossed. For the first facelift of the Golf VIII in a few years, we would like to see a little return to the tried and tested. Because not everything was worse in the past. (Text: Thomas Vogelhuber | Pictures: Manufacturer)