Volkswagen Gol

Volkswagen Gol is a car produced by the Brazilian branch of the Volkswagen company from 1980 till nowadays. It is focused only on the Latin American market. This model is the best sold car in Brazil and Argentina since 1998.

The name "Gol" is translated from Portuguese as "goal". In this way developers tried to emphasise the idea that the car will become as popular in Brazil as football.

Volkswagen Gol 1980–1999

Initially the Volkswagen Gol model was created only in a 3-door hatchback body. The car was meant to replace the popular Volkswagen Beetle model in the countries of Latin America. At the same time the new car was based on the same VW BX platform as its predecessor.

The management decided to switch equipment on their factories in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay from producing Volkswagen Beetles on Volkswagen Gols completely.

A limited number of extended modifications of the car was available on the North American market, but was not exported to Europe.

In 1994 the car developers released a new generation of the Volkswagen Gol model. Developers presented the model in two bodies: 3-and 5-door hatchback. In spite of the fact that the car continued to use the BX platform, it had long wheel base and the changed body.

The design of the front part of the body became rounder, all sharp angles were smoothed out.

On Volkswagen Gol II there were new bumpers, radiator grille, position marker lights and rear-view mirrors.

Volkswagen Gol III generation

Production of the third generation of the Volkswagen Gol model started in 1999. The car got a completely updated nose and began to resemble Volkswagen Jetta/Bora IV. Designers gave more outlined form to front headlights, installed a trapezoid radiator grille, changed the shape of both bumpers drastically.

Because of financial crisis in the markets of the countries of Mercosur, the production of the model went down almost to a zero level by 2002. Production of the car at the Volkswagen Argentina plant was completely stopped in 2003.

Volkswagen Gol IV generation

In 2005 release of the fourth generation of the model started. The design was considerably renewed again. Now the car resembled Volkswagen Fox model. Front headlights were enlarged, the shape of bumpers and the radiator grille was changed. Principal specifications remained at the former level.

Volkswagen Gol V generation

The fifth generation of the Volkswagen Gol model went on sale in 2008. The car had a new designation and began to be called Volkswagen Gol NF. The abbreviation means "Nachfolger" or "Neue Familie" that is translated from German as "successor" or "a new family".

The car had new design of the exterior and interior. Elongated, narrow-pointed headlights, new bumpers and radiator grille were altered. All modifications had considerably increased power and new packages appeared.

Volkswagen Gol V generation restyling

In 2013 Volkswagen Gol cars got a changed design of the exterior. Headlights, the shape of the hood and fenders were got a new style. Besides, a large number of extra options was added. Buyers could have install anti-lock brake system (ABS), a stereosystem, system of distant opening of doors and boot, the 14-inch chrome plated discs and extra air conditioner.