The majority of complaints concern the level of violence in the ad, which shows the chief designer of the new Golf VI engaging in Matrix-style kung fu fights with replicates of himself. He is also shown using car parts, such as an exhaust, as a weapon.
Some viewers have said the ad is "upsetting and offensive" because of "excessive and gratuitous violence", while others have complained that the ad is so graphic that it is inappropriate to be shown at any time. Many complainants have expressed concern that the ad is unsuitable to be seen by children.
The number of complaints has soared from around 100 at the beginning of last week to 585 at the last count today. The ASA is still logging complaints.
The TV spot, which features the tagline 'Sometimes, the only one you have to beat is yourself', was created by DDB London and promotes the carmaker's new model Golf VI.
It was directed by Ivan Zacharias and takes place in the German factory where the new Golf is made.
The campaign first aired on December 27. At the time of its launch, Morna Steel, communications manager at Volkswagen UK, said: "When we set ourselves the challenge to improve on the Golf Mk V, our main target was to outdo ourselves.
"This commercial highlights in dramatic fashion exactly how hard that challenge was."
Click here to view the VW Golf fight ad which is being complained about.
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