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Reportage: 12 unique Volkswagen Golf models

July 12, 2024

Golf Design Vision GTI

In 2013, Volkswagen presented the Golf Design Vision GTI: a Volkswagen with an impressive 503 horsepower, which 11 years ago looked like it had been teleported back to the present from the year 2040.

GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo

The same goes for the GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo, an open-roof two-seater originally designed by Volkswagen designers for the Sony PlayStation 3 classic Gran Turismo 6. But in 2014, the Wolfsburg team brought this car to life for the Wörthersee race. With a top speed of 309 km/h, this study raced into the gallery of honor of supercars.

GTE Sport

In 2015, the GTE Sport – a 408-hp Golf with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain – demonstrated the enormous potential of Golf design. These are just three Volkswagen Design study models.

Volkswagen models of students

The students at Volkswagen also sometimes unpack. Countless Volkswagen employees began their careers as apprentices at Europe’s largest automaker. Since 2008, teams of apprentices from different professions have had the opportunity to design and build unique Golf models for the Wörthersee GTI Meeting.

These creations are a powerful reflection of how young people envision their dream wave. In this reportage, no fewer than nine come to pass! These are unique models developed between 2013 and 2022.

Nine unique Golf models

The journey began in 2013 with a convertible painted in the national colors of Austria: the Golf GTI Cabrio Austria (333 hp). This was followed by the GTI Wolfsburg Edition (380 hp) in 2014, the GTI Dark Shine (395 PS hp the GTI Heartbeat (400 hp), the GTI First Decade (410 hp), the GTI Next Level (411 hp) and the GTI Aurora (380 hp).

During the pandemic years – when the Wörthersee Meeting was canceled – the students developed the first two unique plug-in hybrid models: the GTE Skylight (245 hp) and the GTE Meteora (275 hp).


A white, modern Volkswagen Golf hatchback with aerodynamic design and striking black and red accents is shown against a neutral background.


A white Volkswagen Golf GTI convertible with black soft top, red striping and custom rims is parked in a well-lit interior space.


Inside view of a Volkswagen Golf with futuristic steering wheel, racing seat with harness and sleek black and gray design.


A white, sleek, futuristic concept car reminiscent of a Volkswagen Golf is displayed in a dimly lit showroom against a plain background.


In a showroom with a dark floor and minimal background, a futuristic white Volkswagen Golf hatchback with a sleek design is on display.


Close-up of the rear wheel of a red sports car and a carbon fiber panel with a white logo with a stylized


Top view of the minimalist interior of a Volkswagen Golf with two racing seats with red harnesses, a racing-style steering wheel and a center console.


Red-black sports car interior with two seats with red seat belts, a steering wheel with a digital display behind it and a minimalist dashboard design reminiscent of a modern Volkswagen Golf.


A sleek red sports car with open butterfly doors, with a futuristic design reminiscent of a Volkswagen Golf. The car has a low profile, angular lines and a prominent grille with a race-inspired emblem.


A sleek, red sports car with a futuristic design and a Volkswagen logo, displayed in a dimly lit environment, embodies the spirit of the Volkswagen Golf.


A bright red sports car with a sleek, aerodynamic design, parked inside, similar to the sporty elegance of a Volkswagen Golf, with a large rear spoiler and detailed alloy wheels.


Inside view of a modern Volkswagen Golf with a sleek design, including carbon fiber accents, a sport steering wheel and a digital dashboard.


Modern car interior with a minimalist design featuring a sleek dashboard, three-spoke steering wheel and bucket seats. The surfaces are made of a combination of leather and carbon fiber materials, just like those found in a Volkswagen Golf.


A white Volkswagen Golf GTI Vision sports car is parked inside, showing off its sleek design and striking alloy wheels.


Close-up of a Volkswagen logo above the letters


A Volkswagen Golf trunk, customized with a subwoofer and sound system, with multiple speakers and amplifiers integrated into the design.


A Volkswagen Golf interior with custom installed air suspension components, including a black air tank, manifold and compressor, all neatly arranged in the back seat.


A Volkswagen Golf GTI in a showroom, with a dark blue exterior with striking white graphics on the side, illuminated under floodlights.


Inside, a black Volkswagen Golf GTE is parked, decorated with a blue and gray geometric pattern. The vehicle's taillights are illuminated and angled to highlight the rear and left side.


Close-up of the grille of a Volkswagen Golf, featuring a 'GTE' badge with stylish blue accents.


Interior of a modern Volkswagen Golf with a sleek black and blue leather design. The dashboard is equipped with digital displays and there is a multifunction steering wheel and center console.


Shown is the trunk of a Volkswagen Golf containing a large subwoofer and two longboards. The trunk floor is labeled


Close-up of a Volkswagen Golf engine with various components, including cables, pipes and a fluid reservoir. Orange and black wires are clearly visible, indicating electrical connections.


A white-and-blue Volkswagen Golf GTE hybrid car is displayed under studio lighting, highlighting its sleek design and advanced technology.


Parked inside is a white Volkswagen Golf GTE with blue geometric emblems. The Volkswagen Golf features custom rims and a rear spoiler, giving it a sleek, modern look.


Interior view of a modern Volkswagen Golf with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, touchscreen display and leather seats with green accents. The dashboard includes several control buttons and digital gauges.


Close-up of a polished Volkswagen Golf engine with


A Volkswagen Golf trunk with a custom audio setup, including a large subwoofer and green support bars. The floor mat is branded


A custom Volkswagen Golf GTI is displayed in a dimly lit room, with custom graphics, a large rear wing and aftermarket wheels.


A customized Volkswagen Golf with geometric white and light blue designs on a gray body, fitted with a large rear spoiler and sporty alloy wheels, parked in a garage with subdued lighting.


Close-up of the rear exhaust pipe of a Volkswagen Golf, focusing on the metal exhaust. The car features red and white paint with aerodynamic design elements.


Close-up of the Volkswagen logo above the text


Volkswagen Golf logo and the words


Close-up image of a Volkswagen Golf steering wheel with mode and control buttons, black leather with red stitching and part of the sleek dashboard design.


Close-up of a Volkswagen Golf steering wheel with the VW logo. A red button with the inscription


Driver's seat view of a Volkswagen Golf interior with black and red leather seats, a touchscreen dashboard, a steering wheel with the Volkswagen logo and a center console with various controls.


Close-up of the engine compartment of a Volkswagen Golf GTI, with the hood with the VW emblem and the inscription


A white Volkswagen Golf GTI with custom black and gray emblems on the side, red accents and large alloy wheels is parked inside under artificial lights.


A black and white Volkswagen Golf GTI with red accents, displayed from the rear in a dimly lit environment, has a distinctive geometric pattern and striking red brake calipers.


Close-up of a futuristic blue display with the text


A Volkswagen Golf band with blue lighting on a polished surface, accompanied by blue-lit text with details:


The interior of a modern Volkswagen Golf features black leather seats, a central touchscreen display, a manual shift lever and blue accent lighting on the dashboard.


Close-up of the exhaust pipe of a Volkswagen Golf showing a metal, lightly abraded surface with a dark, circular opening.


A blue Volkswagen Golf GTI with a sporty livery and upgraded wheels is parked inside against a plainly lit backdrop, showing off the iconic Volkswagen design.


Inside, a blue Volkswagen Golf GTI is parked with custom racing graphics and black alloy wheels. The Volkswagen Golf is seen from the rear and side corners.


A view from a high angle of the interior of a Volkswagen Golf. The design features a sleek dashboard, leather seats, a manual transmission and a multi-function steering wheel.


A close-up of electronic circuits visible through a diamond-shaped transparent window in a dark, textured surface, reminiscent of the intricate design elements in a Volkswagen Golf.


Close-up of the audio system of a Volkswagen Golf with speakers, a subwoofer with honeycomb grille, an illuminated audio control module in the center and a metal support bar at the front.


A silver Volkswagen Golf GTI, decorated with hexagonal emblems on the side and '40' on the door, is parked inside against a plain background.


The silver Volkswagen Golf GTI 40th anniversary edition, with hexagonal emblems on the side and red accents on the wheels, is displayed indoors.


Interior of a Volkswagen Golf focused on the driver's seat, with a black and yellow steering wheel, dashboard and various controls. The upholstery is black with yellow accents.


Close-up of a Volkswagen Golf grille with the GTI emblem, with a honeycomb pattern and yellow accent stripe, part of the front of the vehicle.


Close-up of an audio amplifier mounted under a glass cover in the trunk of a Volkswagen Golf, with visible electronic components and wiring.


A Volkswagen Golf trunk with custom-installed audio equipment, with three large speakers integrated into a custom panel and a glass-covered compartment underneath containing electronic components.


A customized Volkswagen Golf with a black-and-yellow paint job, sporty emblems and alloy wheels is displayed in a showroom.


Inside, a yellow-and-black Volkswagen Golf GTI is parked. The car features sporty emblems, custom wheels and a spoiler that embody the sleek design of a classic Volkswagen Golf.


Interior of a Volkswagen Golf car with a black steering wheel, dashboard with gauges, manual shifter and two front seats with a red and black color scheme.


Close-up of a Volkswagen Golf 20V turbo engine in a vehicle, with various components including hoses, cables and fluid reservoirs.


The image shows the open trunk of a red Volkswagen Golf equipped with a custom sound system, including large speakers, an amplifier and an LCD screen, all neatly installed.


The interior of the Volkswagen Golf features a well-crafted dashboard, steering wheel, gearshift and leather seats with striking red accents and classic checkered patterns.


Close-up of a Volkswagen Golf TSI engine in a car with a red exterior.


Close-up of the interior door panel of a Volkswagen Golf featuring a sleek black design with red accent stitching and a subtle embossed skyline image.


Red and black image depicting the silhouette of a city's skyline, including notable buildings and structures, with a sleek Volkswagen Golf driving through the streets.


A red, sporty Volkswagen Golf with black racing stripes, black rims and sleek aerodynamic features is parked in a dimly lit garage.


A red Volkswagen Golf GTI with black rims and a spoiler is parked inside, seen from the left rear. The Volkswagen Golf displays sporty design elements against a dark, shadowy background.


Close-up of a Volkswagen Golf with a red and white striped design and the word


The interior of a Volkswagen Golf with red and black leather seats, with a sound system including a subwoofer and two car radio amplifiers mounted behind the seats.


Interior of a modern black and red Volkswagen Golf GTI sports car with a leather steering wheel, touchscreen, manual transmission and sporty bucket seats with red accents.


A white Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet with red accents is displayed in a dark room. The car's roof is open, revealing a striking black and red interior.


Inside, a white Volkswagen Golf convertible with a black roof and red accents is parked, displaying a sporty design. Red stripe details and black rims are visible.