Why Does VW do this? It seems the Golf offers many powertrains to its customers around the globe. Or is this just a major Wikipedia typo?
Some European countries apply a tax to vehicles based on the displacement of the engine.
In those countries the 1.4 Litre engine is the most common (avoid the tax), and the 2.0 Litre is a luxury item for which extra tax applies.
They developed the 2.5 to compete with Volvo in certain markets.
you are looking at a combination of all the years and all the markets
The W12 I initially thought was a typo, but it went into a Golf concept car so it was real:
https://drivetribe.com/p/vw-golf-gti-w12-review-MZdEkw3nQnis9Vucgv8qhw?iid=RJmJ_Ua9ScCz7GE4NCveIQ
Usually there is one engine size with different power outputs (TDI or TSI). Most common was 1.9 TDI which was then replaced with 2.0 TDI. For last decade TSI supercharged engines of different sizes are replacing naturally aspirated ones.
