The Gol’s 2016 lineup celebrates 35 years of the model in Brazil with innovations and production records in the Brazilian market. With added items in its standard features list, the Gol offers a complete range of versions and is even more competitive in its segment.
Among the novelties presented in Gol’s 2016 lineup figure trimming changes and the addition of chrome appointments in the Comfortline and Highline versions, which add more refinement and sophistication to the model. All versions of the Gol now have reflectors in the rear bumper.
In these 35 years of success, the Volkswagen Gol was national market leader for 27 consecutive years. Designed and developed in Brazil, the Gol was launched at May 8 1980 and is currently in its fifth generation, protagonist of many milestones, records and innovations in the segment. The model had 8.7 million units produced, 7.755.071 of them manufactured in Brazil and the remaining in other countries, as Argentina, with Brazilian-made parts.
The Gol had 6,581,972 units sold in Brazil and 1.2 million units exported to 66 countries. It is national industry’s most produced, sold and exported automobile ever.
The Gol is Volkswagen Group’s eighth most produced car in the world and Volkswagen brand’s seventh most produced vehicle in the world. The production leaders ahead of it are the Golf, Beetle, Jetta (including Bora, Vento and Sagitar), Polo (hatchback), Passat (including Santana), Transporter and Audi A4.
Gol – more standard features and exclusive chrome package
Trendline. Gol’s entry version – available as two or four-door – is offered with the up to 76 cv 1.0l Total Flex or the 104 cv 1.6l MSI engine. It has standard front power windows, rear defogger, washer and wiper.
Comfortline. In its intermediate version, the Gol Comfortline (offered only as four-door) has now chrome trims in the cabin, 15 inch wheels with 195/55 R15 tires and “Kalahari” hubcaps, fog lights and style changes: the front grille is now painted gloss black with a chrome insert.
In addition to the Trendline’s features, this version offers hydraulic power steering, CD-Player radio with Bluetooth and SD Card, USB and auxiliary ports, air heating, electric trunk lid opening and body-color external rear mirrors’ covers, door handles and side trims.
Moreover, the version has directional light indicators in the external rear mirrors, body-color rear spoiler, glossy black front grille, black tape at the “B” pillars, black-mask double headlights, “Comfortline” logo, sunshades with courtesy lights, roof handles and three headrests at the rear seat.
The Comfortline version may be equipped with either the 1.0l Total Flex engine with up to 76 cv or the 1.6l MSI engine, up to 104 cv. It offers also, as an option with the 1.6l MSI engine, the I-Motion automated transmission.
Highline. The Gol Highline, top of the line version (four-door only), offered with the 1.6l MSI engine with up to 104 cv, has a new glossy black front grille with chrome insert, chrome rims at the headlights. Internal items as gear level rim, air vents, climate control knobs and door handles, among others, are also chrome-plated, adding more refinement and sophistication to the Gol family. The 15 inch light alloy “Gobi” wheels are fitted with 195/55 R15 tires.
The model leaves the factory with all features of the Comfortline version, besides air-conditioning, front and rear power windows, Keyless alarm, power mirrors, leather-covered multifunctional steering wheel (with sound and phone controls), fog lights and rear light, steering wheel height and distance control, rear parking sensors and floor mats with fixing pins at the driver side to keep it from moving.
Among the options offered for the Gol Highline are seats upholstered in “Native” synthetic leather and the “Tecnologia” kit, with rain and crepuscular sensors, cruise control and coming/leaving home system. 16 inch “Torino” wheels with 195/50 R16 tires are also optional.
Gol Track and Rallye. The Gol offers the adventurer versions Rallye and Track, with higher ground clearance than the other versions of the car. The higher suspension makes it easier to overcome obstacles in dirty roads and bad paved ways. In the Gol Rallye, the suspension is raised 28 mm and in the Gol Track, 23 mm. Both versions are offered only with four doors.
The Gol Track comes with the 76 cv (with ethanol) 1.0l TEC Total Flex engine, with manual five-speed gearbox.
The Gol Rallye has the new 120 cv (with ethanol) 1.6l MSI engine and either manual or automated I-Motion transmission, with the version 2 of the electronic management software, which provides even softer and more precise gear changes.
Regarding standard features, the Gol Rallye has the same equipment of the Gol Highline and additional wheel boxes frames, darkened interior, double function auxiliary lights (fog and long distance) with chrome rims and light alloy 16 inch “Pikes” design wheels painted in glossy black and diamond cut finish (optionally darkened silver) and 195/50 R16 tires.
For the Gol Track, the features list include all the Trendline version items, besides hydraulic power steering, electric trunk lid opening, fog lights and rear light, darkened lights, three headlights at the rear seat and trunk lid spoiler, among other. The 14 inch steel wheels with “Uyuni” hubcaps are fitted with 175/70 R14 tires.
Gol’s 35 years – a success history
Gol’s victorious trajectory is founded in a solid basis: the car was created focused in Brazil and Brazilian drivers. Nevertheless, it went through all borders. The project, which begun in 1976, was developed for the country’s conditions, as well as the needs and aspirations of national customers, emphasizing endurance, economy and durability. All this, plus the capacity to carry five people and luggage with comfort and a modern and balanced look, able to catch attention wherever it went. To complete, a name with a deep emotional connection in a country where the passion for soccer transcends the limit of the sport, at some times mixing with civism and national pride.
The first Gol had a 47 cv 1,300 cm³ air-cooled engine (a version of the engine used in the Fusca, that would be offered until 1986) and a four-speed gearbox. Its lines were inspired by the Passat, Volkswagen’s medium-size model that was a success at the time. With a hatchback body and aerodynamic profile, the first Gol was offered in the S and L versions, both two-door. Between the 1970’s and the end of the 1990 decade, with rare exceptions, four-door cars were not well accepted in the Brazilian market.
In 1981, the Gol received a more powerful engine, with 67 cv and 1.6 liter, also air-cooled. The first version with inline four-cylinder, liquid cooled engine, with 1.5 liter and five-speed transmission, was released in 1984. Soon after, arrived the 1.6 engines and the first Gol GT, 1.8 liter.
In its five initial generations, the Gol went through a continuous technological evolution, introducing in the country novelties that revolutionized the national industry. The Gol GTI, in 1989, was the first Brazilian car with electronic injection, equipped with an analogical system that had to be entirely developed in the country, as at the time the importation of digital equipment, available abroad, was forbidden in Brazil. The multipoint electronic injection, already with a digital system, an important advance, went to market in 1997.
In 2003, the Gol Total Flex was the first automobile able to run on gasoline, ethanol, or any mix of both fuels, opening the era of the flexible engines, which nowadays dominate the Brazilian market. Another milestone in Gol’s history was the introduction of the 16-valve 1.0 liter and 1.0 16-valve turbo engines. Following a new market trend, the car also begun to be offered with the I-Motion automated gearbox. Focusing in the sustainable mobility, Volkswagen launched in 2010 the Gol Ecomotion, with an elongated differential ratio, lower rolling-resistant tires and instant fuel consumption display at the instrument panel.
The Gol family
The Gol was the first vehicle from Volkswagen do Brasil designed to originate a family of vehicles. It originated the Voyage sedan, the Parati station wagon and the Saveiro pickup – models very well received by Brazilian customers. In the 1980’s, the Parati was the most desired car for Brazilian middle-class families, due to its practical concept, internal space and mechanical reliability.
Launched in 1981 in two versions, both two-door and already with the water-cooled 1.5 liter engine, the Voyage sedan was also welcomed by the Brazilian market. The initial version of the Voyage ceased to be manufactured in 1996, after selling more than 700 thousand units. The sedan went back to market in 2008, with an entirely new platform and transversal engine. Developed at the same time as the Gol G5, the Voyage arrived with four doors and modern smooth lines, in versions equipped with 1.0l or 1.6l engines.
The Saveiro pickup, presented in 1982, is one more successful member of the Gol family. It arrived in market with two versions – S and LS – with an air-cooled 1.600 cm³ engine with versions fueled with ethanol or gasoline, and four-speed gearbox. Between 1989 and 1991, the Saveiro had also a diesel version that, although more expensive, was well accepted due to its great fuel economy. The option was abandoned due a change in the Brazilian regulations, which restricted the use of diesel to larger vehicles and heavy-duty utility vehicles.
Totally new, based in the Gol G5, the present generation’s Saveiro arrived in 2009, with the transverse EA-111 1.6l VHT engine and the MQ200 transmission. The narrower rear wheel boxes allowed widening the cargo bed. With a completely new design, the Saveiro was also launched with the option of an extended cab. In February 2010, Volkswagen launched the Saveiro Cross, an adventurer version of the pickup, and, in August 2014, the Double Cab.
The Gol “Bolinha” (little ball)
Gol’s first great change happened in 1994, with the introduction of the model’s second generation, designed to comply with a research that pointed what should be improved, in the opinion of Gol owners. The round and innovative design soon originated the affectionate nickname Bolinha (the little ball).
The Generation II Gol had more internal space, a larger boot, more safety and lower noise level, already adapted to the new global environmental protection standards, with anti-pollutant components, use of recyclable materials and natural products. In 1998 appears the four-door version, an answer to the new Brazilian market’s trend, already under influence of the models arrived in the country since the beginning of the decade after the opening of vehicles imports.
Generation III
Introduced in May 1999, Gol’s third generation gave the car new lines, with a sportier character. The new line also introduced new quality manufacturing standards: improved uniformity and smaller gaps in body panel junctions, structural reinforcements minimizing chassis’ torsion, wider use (70%) of zinc plated steel, rust-resistant, and new fabrics and internal upholstery materials. The Generation III Gol was the first car in the segment in Brazil to offer a five-year warranty against corrosion.
In 2001, the Gol surpassed the Fusca as the best-selling car in Brazil. Another striking fact of Gol’s third generation was the introduction of the 1.6 Total Flex engine in March 2003, making the car the precursor of the flex-fuel technology, which would become prevalent in the Brazilian automotive industry. One more novelty of the Generation III were the optional customization modules, providing the customers a greater flexibility to buy additional components. In 2003, the Gol reached the milestone of four million units produced.
Gol G4
The fourth generation of the Gol arrived in August 2005. Brazil’s bestselling car got a design with cleaner and rounded lines, reinforcing its toughness and sport character. Gol G4’s new rear end also contributed in this sense, with the adoption of circular elements in the rear lights and a new spoiler integrated to the boot lid. The body-integrated bumper also helped to create a larger impression, besides improving visibility. At front, the new design highlighted the “V” form, aligning the car with Volkswagen’s world identity.
Gol G5
The introduction of the fifth generation of the Gol was marked by a total renovation. Calling it “New Gol” was not an overstatement: received by the market with an immense expectation, the car brought a new platform, with transverse-mounted engine and transmission, more width and height. The new architecture allowed to shorten the body and, at the same time, improved internal comfort. A new suspension and a new steering system, inspired by the Polo, gave the car more stability and a clearly superior handling.
One year later, the Gol G5 begun to offer, as option, the new I-Motion automated transmission, an important step to, once more, answer to the evolution of the Brazilian market. With a much lower cost than the conventional automatic transmissions’, the automated system offer the comfort of automatic gear changes, specially valued in the great cities heavy traffic, without losses in performance and fuel consumption.
In 2010, a great party was thrown in São Paulo, at the Sambódromo do Anhembi, celebrating 30 years of the Gol with the presence of tens of thousands people, mostly Gol owners and their families. In this occasion, for the first time a Gol received black license plates, exclusive for historic vehicles in mint conditions. Various shows brightened the event, where it was presented the prototype of the Gol Vintage, which would be manufactured in 2011 in a strictly and disputed special series with only 30 units.
New Gol
Launched in July 2012, the New Gol arrived with the Volkswagen brand’s world design and more technological innovations, besides features that made the car one of the most attractive and advanced in its market segment. The new lineup also showed evolution in the 1.0 engine and new standard equipment.
Besides the visual evolution and the re-structuring of the configurations offer, the New Gol had an entirely new electronic architecture, one of the most advanced and complexes in the segment. This new electronic “backbone” allowed installing various features unprecedented in the segment. Among them was the “Comfort Blinker”, that allows the driver, with just a light touch in the direction indicator lever, to signal the direction he intends to follow, without being forced to execute a full lever movement. Another benefit of the new architecture is the inclusion of the ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), inherited from the most sophisticated German vehicles.
The ESS works as an alert to avoid rear collisions. If the driver presses strongly the brake pedal, in a more consistent braking, the safety system activates the rear braking lights intermittently. When the vehicle comes to a stop after such braking, the brake lights stop blinking and the ESS activates the emergency lights, indicating that the vehicle has stopped.
Special series
Gol’s successful history is marked by the offer of many special series, created to celebrate important historic moments or to bring innovations desired by customers.
The first differentiated Gol was the Copa series, released in 1982 to celebrate Brazil’s participation in the World Football Cup, in Spain. If the Brazilian squad, considered as one of the best ever assembled for a World Cup, did not achieve the expected result, the Gol Copa become a great success, opening way for many other special editions.
In 1995, the Rolling Stones fans were able to celebrate the British band’s first Brazilian season aboard the Gol Rolling Stones, which had 12 thousand units sold. The following year, Volkswagen launched the Gol Atlanta, honoring the city that received the Olympic Games in the United States.
Another well-succeeded series was the Gol Fun, introduced in May 2001, which conquered the young spirited public and had as highlight the double headlights’ frame in body-color. After this, came the Gol Highway I and II, launched respectively in 2001 and 2003, equipped with a 16-valve engine, and the Gol Highway, in 2004, with raised suspension and off-road style, which was re-launched in 2007. A special series that answer so much to the customers’ desires finished as part of the permanent lineup: the Gol Power, launched in 2001.
The release of special series followed in 2006, with a new Gol Copa celebrating the world championship held in Germany, and the Gol Tech, with a limited edition sold only in the state of São Paulo. In 2010, Volkswagen marked the sponsorship of the Brazilian national team in the South Africa’s cup.
2011 begun inspired by music, with the release of the 30 units Vintage series and the Gol Rock in Rio, celebrating the international event in Rio de Janeiro. Two other special editions were also introduced: the Gol Black and Gol 25 Anos, the last one to celebrate the 25 years as sales leader in the Brazilian market.
Gol: Brazilian automotive industry’s most exported model
The Volkswagen Gol is the most exported car in the Brazilian automotive industry’s history. In 2014, it reached over 1.2 million units sent to 66 countries in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Middle East and Europe. The model is also the most produced in national industry’s history, with more than 7.5 million units manufactured in Brazil.
Gol exportation begun already at the year of its release, 1980, when 49 units were shipped to Paraguay and Nigeria. Presently, the main external markets for the Gol are Mexico and Argentina, where the Brazilian car led the market for more than 12 consecutive years.
The Gol made for export is adapted only to comply with each country’s legal rules. Technically, the main change happens in the injection and engine management systems, to use ethanol-free gasoline, different from the fuel sold in Brazil.
To be exported to Russia, for instance, the Gol went through endurance tests to face low temperatures, which can reach minus 40º C. Besides the air humidity between 20 % and 90 %, were simulated the most diverse climate conditions, between minus 40º C and minus 60º C. The components that went to these extremely stringent evaluations were the electrical parts, rubber seals, engine and gearbox. The project was conducted between 2004 and 2005, with 1,609 units exported.
The Gol in numbers:
• 27 consecutive years as national market’s bestseller. The car kept the lead for the
longest period in all industry’s history in the country
• 6,581,972 units sold in the national market
• 1.2 million units exported to 66 countries
• 8.7 million units manufactured since its release, including the periods when it was
produced in Argentina and Iran
• 7,755,071 units manufactured in Brazil
Pioneering:
• First Brazilian automobile with electronic injection (Gol GTI, 1989)
• First to use the Brazilian 1.0 16 valve engine
• First Brazilian car with flexible fuel engine (Gol TotalFlex, 2003)
• First entry model with a flexible engine (Gol 1.0 TotalFlex, 2005), popularizing
the technology
• First vehicle to have more than 3.5 million units produced in Brazil, surpassing
the Fusca