Volkswagen Golf III GTI [UK]
With its third generation, Volkswagen ushered in a new era of safety by introducing the first Golf with front airbags - starting in 1992 - and major advancements in car body construction that improved crash safety. This innovation made passive safety accessible to millions of car drivers worldwide.
The Golf III also marked a series of other milestones. It was the first Golf to feature a six-cylinder engine (VR6), cruise control, the first oxidation catalytic converter for diesel engines (1991), the first direct injection diesel engines (TDI in 1993 and SDI in 1995), the first side airbags (1996), and ABS which became standard from September 1996. Additionally, a convertible, a four-wheel-drive model (Syncro II) and an estate variant (Golf Variant) debuted in 1993. One year later, the 15th millionth Golf rolled off the line. The third generation ended in 1997, with a total of 4.83 million third-generation units, or 0.81 million models per year, being sold including derivatives.
A new design language gave the third Golf a modern look. Developed in 1985, in 1985 Herbert Schäfer submitted nine different models of the next Golf to the board under the A3 segment designation (A-Class) and "3" for the third generation Golf. Over the following months, the results were discussed and altered until the Chairman, Carl Horst Hahn, chose the best design, ready for implementation in 1991. Featuring a slight wedge shape (body line rising towards the rear) and a subtle shoulder linking the front and rear, new solid bumpers and C-pillar, a wider track and oval headlights, the third Golf maintained Volkswagen's design language but made a modern statement. The drag coefficient was also optimised to 0.30.
The twin headlights of the Volkswagen Golf GTI were also joined together by Herbert Schäfer under the Head of Design, forming oval headlights. The grill became narrower and the headlights protruded downwards, exuding a powerful presence on the road. The oval headlights were no coincidence - it was an example of the brilliance of the Golf III design.
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