The First VW Gol, Voyage and Parati Prototypes Revealed

If you are passionate about cars and the history of the Brazilian automotive industry, get ready for a trip back in time. Rare images of 1978 reveal incredible details about what the first Volkswagen Gol, Parati and Voyage, iconic models that have marked generations. These photos, released by Car Design Archives on Instagram, show the full-scale prototypes sent to Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, more than two years before the official launch of the GoalLet's dive into this fascinating story and understand what changed until cars hit the streets.

The Context of the BX Project

The year was 1978, and the BX Project, codename for the development of the Gol and its derivatives, was already in full swing. The prototypes shown in the images were signed by the team led by Marcio Piancastelli, one of the most important designers in the history of Volkswagen do Brasil. His resume already included the design of models such as the Brasilia and the bold SP1 It is SP2, consolidating its name in automotive design.

These images not only show the aesthetic evolution of the vehicles, but also the care and attention to detail that Volkswagen put into creating a new family of compact cars. Each of the three prototypes featured a distinct design proposal for the front end, demonstrating that the style of the models was still being debated.

The Differences in the Fronts

VW Gol

The Gol prototype displayed round headlights and turn signals positioned on the bumper, referring to the style of the Brazilian Passat and the newly released European pole. This choice reinforced the visual connection with other models of the brand, but was abandoned in the final design.

VW Voyage

The Voyage already had double headlights, inspired by the Passat TS of the time, but with a curious detail: the turn signals integrated into the optical assembly. However, this configuration did not survive the production version, which opted for square headlights and side turn signals.

VW Parati

The Parati had a bolder approach, with square headlights and turn signals just below them. The grille had vertical fins, an element that was also discarded in the final model. This prototype was a harbinger of Volkswagen's design trends in the following decade.

Rear Changes

While the front of the prototypes was still undergoing adjustments, the rears also showed notable differences:

• O Goal It had a rear without a niche for the license plate and with smaller, simpler lights. In the final model, they chose to incorporate the niche and add protruding lights, in line with the style of the time.
• O Voyage, on the other hand, was already very close to its final design. The continuity of the side strip over the lights was maintained, as was the position of the turn signals and the general shape.
• In the case of Parati, the changes were more significant. The prototype showed a more vertical rear end and less pronounced B-pillars. In the final model, released only in 1982, these features have been tweaked to improve functionality and style.

The Engine and Performance

When the models were finally launched, the engine was also an important differentiator. The Voyage and the Parati arrived on the market equipped with an engine 1.5 water cooled, shared with the Passat, capable of delivering 78 hp. Already the Goal and the sloop remained initially with the engine air cooled, inherited from older models of the brand. This choice limited the performance of the latter, but also positioned them as more affordable options.

For comparison purposes, in 2025, the engines 1.5 and similar are considered outdated for compact vehicles. However, at that time, they were synonymous with advanced technology and good performance by national industry standards.

The Importance of Prototypes

The 1978 prototypes reveal Volkswagen's efforts to create cars that balanced functionality, cost and visual appeal. Every detail was designed to meet the demands of the Brazilian market and, at the same time, align the vehicles with the brand's global identity.

It's interesting to note how the design changed over the years of development. The side of the Gol, for example, was already well defined in 1978, but the front and rear went through numerous revisions until they reached the ideal point.

A Legacy That Endures

More than 45 years later, O VW Gol, O Voyage and the Parati continue to be remembered as milestones in Brazilian automotive history. These models not only helped to consolidate Volkswagen's presence in Brazil, but also set a standard for compact cars that endures to this day.

The images of the prototypes, released in 2025, offer a unique opportunity to understand how initial ideas evolved into the icons we know today. They also make us reflect on the importance of design in the success of a vehicle and how decisions made decades ago continue to influence the industry.

Conclusion

When you look at these historic prototypes, you realize how much automotive engineering and design depends on vision and creativity. Early concepts of the Goal, Voyage and Parati show that even the most promising ideas can and should be adjusted to meet market expectations.

If you’re a fan of classic cars or simply enjoy understanding how great successes are created, this is a story worth revisiting. After all, what would the future be without a close look at the past?