A Brief History of Volkswagen

Volkswagen was founded in 1937 in Wolfsburg, Germany, with a simple but revolutionary mission — to build a car for the people. The brand's name literally translates to "people's car," and that founding vision of accessible, quality motoring has guided Volkswagen for nearly nine decades. From the iconic Beetle that put the world on wheels to the legendary Golf that redefined the hatchback class, Volkswagen has consistently shaped the way the world drives. Today, as part of the Volkswagen Group — one of the largest automotive companies on Earth — the brand continues to innovate across petrol, hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

Volkswagen's most famous contribution to motoring came with the Beetle, which went on to become the best-selling single-design car in history with over 21 million produced. The launch of the Golf in 1974 created an entirely new class of car and has since sold over 37 million units across eight generations. In the 1970s, Volkswagen pioneered the hot hatch genre with the Golf GTI, while the introduction of TSI turbocharged engines and DSG dual-clutch gearboxes set new benchmarks for efficiency and performance. The brand now pushes boundaries with its dedicated ID. electric range — including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.7 — alongside plug-in hybrid eHybrid versions of its popular Tiguan, Passat and Touareg SUVs.

Why Choose Volkswagen for Your Next Lease?

Volkswagen represents the perfect balance of trusted German engineering, everyday practicality and forward-thinking electrification, combining nearly nine decades of automotive expertise with modern technology, innovative powertrains and a model range designed to suit every lifestyle. By choosing a vehicle from our Volkswagen lease range, drivers benefit from an unrivalled choice of petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains, exceptional build quality and a driving experience built around refinement, versatility and everyday usability.

Models such as the Volkswagen Golf deliver iconic hatchback motoring with efficient eTSI mild hybrid and GTE plug-in hybrid options, while the all-electric ID.3 offers up to 386 miles of range in a practical, tech-rich package. The Tiguan combines eHybrid plug-in hybrid capability with mid-size SUV practicality and up to 60 miles of electric range, and the new seven-seat Tayron delivers spacious family versatility with efficient petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrain choices.

Every Volkswagen is engineered with quality and innovation at its core, from the brand's comprehensive IQ.DRIVE safety and driver assistance systems to the latest MIB4 infotainment with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, wireless App-Connect smartphone integration and natural voice control. Combined with spacious, ergonomically designed interiors, refined ride comfort and Volkswagen's proven reputation for durability and strong residual values, this makes Volkswagen an enduringly popular choice for both families seeking a dependable everyday car and businesses looking for a cost-effective, versatile fleet solution.

Fun Facts About Volkswagen

🚗 The Beetle is the best-selling single-design car ever — The original Volkswagen Beetle, or "Type 1," went on to sell over 21.5 million units worldwide, making it the most-produced single-design car in automotive history. Production ran from 1938 all the way to 2003 in Mexico.

🌍 Volkswagen literally means "people's car" — The brand was founded in 1937 with the express mission of creating an affordable, reliable car for ordinary German families. That founding philosophy of quality motoring for everyone continues to define the brand nearly nine decades later.

🏌️ The Golf created an entirely new class of car — When the first Volkswagen Golf launched in 1974, it effectively invented the modern hatchback segment. Over 37 million Golfs have been sold across eight generations, making it one of the best-selling cars of all time.

🔥 The Golf GTI invented the hot hatch — In 1976, Volkswagen created the original Golf GTI, a car widely credited with launching the entire hot hatchback genre. Originally planned as a limited run of just 5,000 units, the GTI became a cultural icon and spawned an entire segment.

⚡ The ID.3 launched Volkswagen's electric era — The ID.3 was the first model built on Volkswagen's dedicated MEB electric platform when it arrived in 2020, marking the start of a new chapter in the brand's history alongside the Beetle era and the Golf era.

⚙️ Volkswagen pioneered the DSG dual-clutch gearbox — Volkswagen's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) was one of the first mass-production dual-clutch transmissions, offering lightning-fast gear changes and improved fuel efficiency. It remains one of the most respected automatic gearbox systems in the industry.

🏆 The Tiguan is Volkswagen's global best-seller — Overtaking the Golf in 2018, the Tiguan has become Volkswagen's best-selling model worldwide, with over 7.5 million units sold since it first launched in 2007.

🔋 The ID.7 offers over 430 miles of electric range — The Volkswagen ID.7 flagship electric saloon delivers up to 434 miles on a single charge, making it one of the longest-range electric vehicles available in the UK market.

🏎️ Volkswagen owns some of the world's most famous car brands — The Volkswagen Group is one of the largest automotive companies on Earth, with a portfolio that includes Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, SEAT, Škoda and Ducati among others.

🔧 The eHybrid Passat can drive up to 82 miles on electric power — The ninth-generation Passat eHybrid features a 19.7kWh battery delivering up to 82 miles of pure electric driving range, making it one of the longest-range plug-in hybrids available and potentially allowing many commuters to drive entirely emission-free.

The Future of Volkswagen

Volkswagen's future is built around comprehensive electrification, cutting-edge digital technology and continued expansion of one of the most versatile model ranges in the industry. As one of the world's largest and most innovative manufacturers, Volkswagen continues to invest in its dedicated MEB and SSP electric platforms, advanced battery technology and increasingly efficient eHybrid plug-in hybrid powertrains designed to give drivers a clear path toward zero-emission mobility.

New and expanding models — including the all-electric ID.3 with up to 386 miles of range, the ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs, the flagship ID.7 with up to 434 miles of capability, and the new seven-seat Tayron SUV — highlight the brand's direction toward longer electric range, smarter MIB4 infotainment technology and increasingly refined cabin quality. These vehicles combine Volkswagen's renowned build quality with comprehensive IQ.DRIVE safety systems, intuitive digital cockpits and efficient powertrain choices across every segment.

Alongside expanding its fully electric ID. lineup, Volkswagen continues to evolve its eHybrid plug-in hybrid range across the Golf, Tiguan, Passat and Touareg, ensuring drivers who aren't yet ready for a full EV still benefit from low-emission, electrified motoring with significantly improved electric-only ranges of up to 82 miles. Continued investment in autonomous driving technology, over-the-air software updates and sustainable manufacturing is positioning Volkswagen as a major force in the future of accessible, innovative motoring.

You can explore the latest personal and business offers across the full range through our Volkswagen car lease deals, providing a simple, flexible and cost-controlled way to experience the next generation of German-engineered motoring.

The result is a rapidly evolving lineup that is cleaner, smarter and more technologically advanced than ever — ensuring Volkswagen remains at the forefront of modern, versatile and efficient driving for years to come.

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