The Colorful Legacy of the Volkswagen Harlequin
Update 4/1/24: Just as we presumed, Volkswagen was fooling around with its Harlequin teaser. VW got its fans’ hopes up once more by sharing a well-produced video vignette of its ID.3 hatchback painted in the four Harlequin colors with the caption, “New ID.3, hues this? Introducing the limited edition ID.3 Harlequin. On sale from today.”
Quickly after sharing this very-real-seeming mock advertisement for a limited edition ID.3 Harlequin, Volkswagen UK followed up with a callback to the automaker’s original ad from 1964. Portraying an ID.3 Harlequin in profile, the automaker acknowledges its prank through cheeky ad copy. This ruse would have been done in good fun if VW fans weren’t eagerly waiting for a new Harlequin model, as many of the automaker’s social media followers expressed their discontent with the multi-day campaign that began in March. It seems the anticipation for a new Harlequin continues.
Volkswagen’s Journey of Iconic Models
Volkswagen loves to celebrate its heritage with modern renditions of its most iconic products. New Beetle, anyone? At times, we must wait for these vehicles to reach our markets, like the forthcoming VW ID Buzz, which channels the original VW bus in electric form. Conversely, sometimes, the automaker innovates a cool new idea only to abandon it before production begins—such as the anticipated U.S.-market truck.
The Harlequin Tease: A Nostalgic Hint
The latest tease comes from Volkswagen’s Facebook page, displayed by its United Kingdom division. A four-panel gallery showcasing the words “Colour is coming IYKYK.” Each word is backgrounded by colors that hark back to the hues used by the automaker in the 1990s: Tornado Red, Chagall Blue, Ginster Yellow, and Pistachio Green. This playful wink at enthusiasts seems to hint at a new run of the automaker’s Harlequin models, discontinued for around 30 years.
A Brief History of the Harlequin
Mega fans of Volkswagen know the Harlequin’s lore well, but here’s a quick recap for the uninitiated. The German automaker first featured a multi-color car in a 1964 advertisement, showcasing a Beetle with body panels in different shades to highlight the economy car’s swappable parts. Three decades later, Volkswagen introduced the 1995 Mk3 Polo Harlequin for Europe, adorned with a vibrant mix of body panels painted in Tornado Red, Chagall Blue, Ginster Yellow, and Pistachio Green. This special edition hatchback proved popular enough for a 3,000-unit run.
Volkswagen then showcased the design on an international stage at auto shows in 1995, unveiling a Golf featuring the same technicolor exterior. The public’s enthusiastic reaction led to the production of 264 examples of the Golf Harlequin at its Puebla, Mexico plant. VW manufactured each hatchback in a single color and then rearranged the body panels according to a specific pattern designed by the automaker’s European headquarters. Inside, each model boasted upholstery unique to the Harlequin edition.
From Disappointment to Cult Classic
When the Golf Harlequin arrived in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it didn’t achieve the sales success VW expected. Dealers struggled to sell the quad-color Golfs and some resorted to repainting the hatchbacks to a single shade to appeal to a broader customer base.
Over time, however, the Golf Harlequin morphed into a cult classic. Its funky color configuration has become legendary among VW enthusiasts. The recent resurgence of interest in color-blocking as a design motif, fueled by nostalgia for the 1990s, has breathed new life into the Harlequin’s charm.
The Future of the Harlequin
Although we’re somewhat skeptical that the Harlequin colors are set to return on the Golf this time around, Volkswagen still markets its subcompact Polo hatchback abroad. There’s potential for the automaker to apply a quad-shade scheme to the sixth-generation model, commemorating the Polo Harlequin’s 30th anniversary.
Alternatively, the Harlequin edition could make its debut on an all-electric ID model. We eagerly await comments from Volkswagen UK, hoping that this teaser isn’t just the lead-up to an elaborate prank. After all, given the Harlequin’s clown-themed name, we wouldn’t be surprised if the joke is on us.
