The Volkswagen Golf is a compact or a sub-compact small family car that was manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen. The Convertible versions were manufactured by Karmann. The Volkswagen Golf was introduced in 1974 and is a successfully model that is still manufactured and used in different parts of the World. The Volkswagen Golf used the Volkswagen Group A platform series. The Volkswagen Golf was used to replace the Volkswagen Beetle.
The Volkswagen Golf also used different names like Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico. The Volkswagen Golf used the FF layout; front engine with front wheel drive. The Volkswagen Golf was available in different body styles that include the three door hatchback, five door hatchback, estate/wagon, saloon/sedan and the convertible version was also available. The name, 'Golf' is derived from the German word for 'Gulf Stream' during the period when Volkswagen names the cars based on the types of wind.