People's Car - Volkswagen : 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

People's Car - Volkswagen Golf 6 (2008-2012)

The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (or VW Typ 5K) is the successor to the Mk5, and was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in October 2008. Volkswagen released pictures and information on 6 August 2008, prior to the official unveiling. The vehicle was released to the European market in the winter of 2008. Major investments have been made in production efficiency, with a claimed productivity improvement at launch of nearly 20% in comparison with the previous model, and further gains planned for the next twelve months.

Jetta 6 sedans went on sale mid 2010 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, followed by the rest of the world in 2011.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6

Design

Like its predecessor, the Mk6 Golf is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform. Effectively it is a reskin of the Mk.5 rather than a completely all-new design, it was developed with engineering improvements to shorten the previous model's excessive assembly time, and answered criticisms of that model's cheapened interior quality compared to that of the 1997 Mk.4.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - 5(five) dors

Improvements in equipment level on the domestic market Golfs include, for the first time in a Golf, the inclusion of air conditioning as standard.

Golf Cabriolet

The new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet was presented at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, Volkswagen calls the new model "a new chapter of a global success story". The four-seater has a soft top with an electro-hydraulic drive that opens the Golf's top in 9.5 seconds. The top can also be opened or closed during driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph). After a nine years without a convertible Golf, This will be the first Cabriolet model under the Golf family since 2002.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - Cabrio

The new VW Golf Cabriolet's styling follows that of its hard-top three-door counterpart, but it differs somewhat with a new rear section, lower profile roof line and more swept-back angle of its front windscreen frame. Bi-xenon headlights are an option. Unlike the regular Golf, the Cabriolet has LED rear lights, which are only available for the R and GTI versions of the hardtop. Safety features include the automatically deploying roll-over bar, front airbags, side head/thorax airbags, knee airbag for the driver and ESP.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - Cabriolet

There are six turbocharged direct-injection engines whose power outputs range from 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) to 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp). Four of the petrol engines (TSI) and one diesel (TDI) are available with the DSG dual-clutch gearbox; while three of the engines are available with energy-saving BlueMotion Technology.

In February 2012, Volkswagen announced that it would build a Cabriolet version of the GTI, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

Golf GTI "Wörthersee 09" (2009)

It is a concept car based on Golf GTI. 2.0-liter TSI engine is rated 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) with top speed of 238 km/h (148 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration of 6.9s.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - Led Tail Lights

It includes Firespark Metallic red body with GTI stripes, high-gloss black 19-inch alloy spoke wheels, smoked LED taillight, lowered sport chassis, new sport exhaust. Interior includes aluminum tread plates, brushed aluminum trim and glossy black painted frames around the air vents, red borders floor mats, sport seats with outer black nappa and side flash red nappa with light "Berry White" leather piping.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - GTI

The vehicle was unveiled at GTI Meet at Wörthersee.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 GTI - Interior

Golf R

There was much speculation about this vehicle, with uncertainly surrounding its name. Golf R20 was the most common name used prior to the Frankfurt Motor Show.[10] Once finally unveiled by Volkswagen at the Frankfurt IAA, on 15 September 2009, it was confirmed the R32 replacement would simply be called the Golf R.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - R

The Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre FSI turbocharged engine that produces 271 PS (199 kW; 267 bhp) and 350 N·m (260 lb·ft) of torque. VW claims the car can get from 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds for DSG equipped models, or 5.7 seconds for cars fitted with a manual gearbox.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - R (back)

The Golf R features these main upgrades over the standard FSI EA113 engine:

Lower compression forged pistons

Strengthened connecting rods

Enlarged wrist pins

Stronger piston rings

Upgraded bearings

Reinforced engine block

Upgraded camshafts (longer duration)

Upgraded injectors (+13% flow)

Larger K04 turbo producing 1.2 bar of boost (+3 PSI over K03 equipped GTI)

Larger intercooler (+30%)

Relocated bypass valve

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - R (side)

The Golf R employs a familiar, but revised (4th generation) Haldex 4motion all-wheel drive system.

The Golf R has many similar styling traits to its Scirocco R sibling and is the first Golf to have LED rear tail lights factory fitted.

In Australia, Japan and South Africa the Golf R engine is detuned to suit hotter climate conditions. It is detuned from 199 kW (271 PS; 267 bhp) to 188 kW (256 PS; 252 bhp) and 350 N·m (260 lb·ft) to 330 N·m (240 lb·ft).

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - Interior

On 9 December 2010, Volkswagen announced that the Golf R will be available in the United States beginning 2012. Both two- and four-door versions will be offered, although the DSG transmission will not be an option. Pricing, exact product naming, and options have not yet been announced.[12] US Golf R version features a slightly detuned engine producing 256 hp (191 kW) and 243 lb·ft (329 N·m). The North American version also shipped with incandescent tail lights, identical to the ones found on the GTI, instead of the LED tail lights used in the rest of the world.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - R (black)

On 14 December 2010, Volkswagen of Canada announced that the Golf R will be available in Canada beginning in "early" 2012. Only a four-door version with six-speed manual transmission will be offered. Four colours of the GTI will be available plus the R-exclusive "Rising Blue". All options are pre-selected including navigation, sun roof, leather interior, and "Kessy keyless entry".

The base price in the US is $33,900.

Motorsport

In auto racing, APR Motorsport has led two MKVI VW GTI's to victory in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Street Tuner (ST) class.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - GTI - ABT Special Editon

To commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen Motorsport enters the 2011 24 Hours Nürburgring with the “Golf24”. This Golf is equipped with a 2,500 cc five-cylinder turbo engine with 324 kW (440 PS) and 540 Nm, permanent 4WD and a sequential six-speed gearbox.[23] In the third VLN race of 2011, the Golf24 finished sixth overall, with its best lap only nine seconds slower than the fastest race lap, which was clocked by a Ferrari 458.

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 - GTI - ABT Special Editon (fron)

For the 24 Hours, the team hopes for rain, and jokingly considered to wet the track by aerial firefighting. Eventually, though, neither of the three Golf24's finished the race, with one of them suffering a pit-entry accident and another blowing a gearbox. When the gearbox of the remaining Golf24 started overheating, VW decided to retire it to find out the cause of the gearbox trouble.

Awards

2009 World Car of the Year
2009 Euro NCAP Safest Car of the Year
2009 Best Performance Car under $60,000 (GTI) (Australia)
2009 Yellow Angel (Germany)
2009 Auto Motor and Sport Readers’ Best Car (Germany)
2009 Wheels Car of the Year (Australia)
2009 What Car? - Best Small Family Car (Great Britain)
2009 International Engine of the Year (1.4 TSI)
2009 Green Engine of the Year (1.4 TSI)
2009-10 Japan's Import Car of the Year
2010 Continental Irish Car of the Year - Best Family Car.
2010 Automobile Magazine - Car of the Year (GTI)
2010 Canadian Car of the Year
2010 What Car? - Best Small Family Car (Great Britain)
2010 South African Car of the Year
2010 Fleet News - Company Car of the Year
2010 World Green Car (BlueMotion)
Kelley Blue Book included the VW Golf TDI (clean diesel) among its Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.
2010 Top Gear Magazine - Hot Hatch of the year (Golf R)
2011 What Car? - Best Small Family Car (Great Britain)
2012 What Car? - Best Small Family Car (Great Britain)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

People's Car - Golf 5 (2003-2008)

The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (VW Typ 1K), built on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. To commemorate this, Wolfsburg was renamed "Golfsburg" for a week. It reached North American markets in June 2006 rebadged with the revived Rabbit nameplate. Most print ads for the Rabbit show the old badge (a running rabbit) with the phrase "It's back, at $14,990". TV ads show Rabbits chasing after each other with their numbers increasing until they fill the streets of a city, a take on the cliche "multiplying like rabbits".

In North America, where SEAT and Škoda are not marketed, Volkswagen sought to revive their image on that continent as a value brand, and the pricing of the new Rabbit was a part of that strategy.

Volkswagen Golf 5 - Mk5

Design

While the interior quality of the previous Volkswagen Golf Mk4 startled rivals, and led most of them to up their game in revised/replacement models, the chassis dynamics and all round ability of the Mk1 Ford Focus startled Volkswagen (and indeed other rivals). In order to counter criticisms of the average dynamics of the previous model, it is widely reputed that Volkswagen poached from Ford the engineering team[citation needed] who designed the multi-link control blade independent rear suspension system, the class benchmark for ride and handling. The suspension changes, along with careful tuning of the chassis, led to the Mk5 Golf delivering better road manners. However, this also sacrificed usable cargo space; despite this model's considerable increase in size over the outgoing model, its hatch volume is roughly 3 cubic feet (85 L) less.

Volkswagen Rabbit 3-door (US)

The interior quality of the previous generation appears to have been lost, and although still of a very high standard and ahead of other rivals, the Golf no longer matches its in-house rival, the Audi A3.[citation needed] Many believe[who?] the reason for this step back in quality, also seen in the B5 Passat of 2005, is to allow a difference between the marketing and price positioning of Audi and Volkswagen products. The previous generation Volkswagens were generally on a par with their Audi cousins.

Volkswagen Golf 5 - Interior

The Golf 5 has proven expensive to build[citation needed] - largely due to its uncommonly long 50-hour build time. Its replacement has been moved forward from the previously stated 2009 in Europe to Autumn 2008, right after its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2008.

Powertrain

Options for engines and transmissions vary from country to country, but the Golf Mk5 is available with 4-cylinder petrol engines, and a new Pumpe Duse unit injector Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. Transmission options include manual, automatic, Tiptronic, and Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG).

The GTI comes with VW's 4-cylinder 2.0L Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) which makes 200 PS (147 kW; 197 bhp) and 280 N·m (207 lbf·ft) torque. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG.

Volkwagen Golf 5 - TDI Engine

In September 2005, the Golf Mk5 GT was announced, which featured a choice of either 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger (TSI) configuration, or a 2.0 litre TDI. Both are available as 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) versions; while the diesel also is available as a 140 PS (103 kW; 138 bhp) variant in the UK. The 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) diesel has 350 N·m (258 lbf·ft) of torque, which is more than the range topping R32. The petrol engined offering contains the new Twincharger (TSI) engine, which is based on the recent Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), but with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single supercharger that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single turbocharger. This system benefits from both of the efficiency of the supercharger in the lower rev ranges, with the longevity of the turbocharger higher in the rev range. This results in constant power delivery along the rev range, and better fuel efficiency than similarly powered V6 engine 2.4 L due to its small size. Both petrol and diesel versions are also available with DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox). Performance figures for the petrol vehicle are 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9s (6 speed) and 6.9s (DSG), with the diesel taking 8.2s, and both reaching top speed of 220 km/h (136.7 mph).

Golf Plus

In December 2004, Volkswagen announced the Golf Plus variant of the Golf Mk5. It is 95 mm (3.74 in) taller than the standard Golf, but 150 mm (5.91 in) shorter than the other compact MPV of the marque, the seven-seater Volkswagen Touran.

Volkswagen Golf Plus

At the 2006 Paris Motor Show Volkswagen released the new CrossGolf compact MPV, which is essentially an off-road version of the Golf Plus. It was developed by VW Individual division, which developed the Golf R32 and CrossPolo.

Volkswagen Golf Plus - Rear

The CrossGolf is only available in front-wheel drive configuration (like the CrossPolo), and is powered by two petrol engines 1.6, and 1.4 TSI, and two diesel engines, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI, with outputs ranging from 102 PS (75 kW; 101 bhp) to 140 PS (103 kW; 138 bhp). In the UK this model is badged as "Golf Plus Dune" and sold with the 1.9 TDI outputting 105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp).

Mk5 GTI

The Golf GTI features a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder petrol engine with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) direct-injection technology, which produces 200PS (147 kW/197 bhp). It is available in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback body shapes, and comes with a choice of either 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) which greatly reduces shift time to only 8ms.

Volkswagen Golf 5 - GTI

The concept GTI was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The first production model was initially unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris in September 2004, and went on sale around the world shortly thereafter. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006, the GTI made its long awaited North American debut in 3-door guise (a 5-door variant has since become available), where it is marketed solely under the 'GTI' moniker, with no reference to the Rabbit. The new GTI has a considerable price increase over the previous model, mainly due to the features mentioned above, and the fact that the exterior itself had not seen such a dramatic design change in years. The price is further raised because it is built in Germany, unlike the Mk4 some of which were built in Brazil. The innovative DSG transmission and the 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) TFSI engine all helped raise the retail price of the car. The Mk5 GTI was named 2007 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine, in December 2006.

Volkswagen Golf 5 - GTI 5(five) dors

This generation marked the only generation in Canada to have the GTI as a separate nameplate rather than a trim of the Golf. When Volkswagen announced the revival of the Golf in the United States & Canada for the 2010 model year, Volkswagen reverted the GTI nameplate as a Golf trim, although the GTI remains a separate nameplate in the United States.

Mk5 R32

In late September 2005, the Mk5 R32 went on sale in Europe. It features an updated 3.2-litre VR6 engine of that fitted to the previous Mk4 version, with an extra 10 PS (7 kW; 10 bhp) courtesy of a reworked inlet manifold. Maximum power is now 250 PS (184 kW; 247 bhp) at 6,300 rpm; torque is unchanged at 320 N·m (236 lbf·ft). It reaches an electronically-governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Going from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) will take 6.5 s, reduced to 6.2 s with the Direct-Shift Gearbox.

Volkswagen Golf - R32

Compared with the previous Mk4 R32, it is 0.1 seconds faster for the manual version, while the newer R32 is about 40 kg (88.2 lb) heavier. As with the previous R32; there is the Haldex Traction-based 4motion part-time four-wheel drive, now through 18" Zolder 20-spoke alloy wheels. Stopping the R32 comes in the form of blue-painted brake calipers with 345 mm (13.58 in) discs at the front and 310 mm (12.20 in) disks at the rear.

Volkswagen Golf - R32

The Mk5 R32 was released in the US in August 2007.

People's Car - Golf 4 (1997–2003)

Launched in October 1997, the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (or VW Typ 1J) was the best selling car in Europe in 2001 (though it slipped to second place, behind the Peugeot 206, in 2002).

The Mk4 was a deliberate attempt to take the Volkswagen Golf series further upmarket, with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels, to compete with the Audi A3.

Overall the level of maturity of the design and its target audience were also evident — the humorous plays on the game of golf which resulted in special edition models of the three earlier generations being called "Golf Ryder", "Golf Driver", not to mention the GTI's "golf ball" gearlever knob were dropped, and replaced with a more subtly styled golf ball knob.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - Mk4

The Golf Mk4 was a significant car in its class. As with its big brother, not only was it the first step of Volkswagen moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between the mainstream machines and the premium cars, with SEAT and Škoda taking over as the mainstream in a new level of interior quality and sophistication never seen before from a mainstream brand in the class. In fact, the quality of the Golf was on a par with its sister Audi A3 from the year before, but cost considerably more than other cars in its class.

The latest model remained faithful to the Golf concept but included some of the new "arched" styling themes first seen on the Mk4 Passat.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - 2 (two) Dors

Golf Cabriolet

As with the Mk2 Golf, Volkswagen did not make a convertible version of the Mk4 Golf. Instead, the firm replaced the front and rear bumper bars of a Mk3 Golf and gave the car the Mk4 headlights and the grille to match. This was done to give it the car the frontal styling of the Mk4 Golf hatchbacks. The rear had its number plates moved into the bumper bar and a larger VW logo was incorporated over the Mk4's typical hatch handle. The interior was also improved with "pixel" treatment to the dashboard, blue lighting for the instrument panel and more use of chrome, such as the door handles.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - Cabrio

GTI 337 Edition (2002)

The GTI 25th Anniversary Edition was a special version of the Golf GTI, for the European Market to commemorate the first Golf model, launched in 1976. At the time of its launch, it wasn't confirmed whether Volkswagen was going to sell this special edition model in the United States.
A year later, a similarly equipped version of the GTI, called the GTI 337 Edition, was officially introduced at the New York Auto Show and made it to dealers late May 2002 to the US & Canadian markets. The price of the GTI 337 was $22,225 in the U.S. and $32,900 in Canada. Only 1,500 units were produced for the US market with an additional 250 for the Canadian market. This model came painted exclusively in metallic Reflex Silver. The European model had 3 paint color options: Tornado Red, Reflex Silver, and Black Magic Pearl.

Both the GTI 25th anniversary and the 337 editions were equipped with many extra features not included in the standard GTI. They included: 18x7.5" BBS RC Wheels with special ball peen finish, perforated leather shift boot and handbrake, red and black seat belts, Red and Black upholstered Recaro Le Mann seats, factory body kit (front valance, sideskirts, hatch spoiler, and rear valance), 02M 6-speed manual transmission, larger front brakes (312mm) with Red Calipers, lowered sport tuned suspension, and brushed aluminum interior trim. These models were never equipped with a sunroof as to take the car back to its roots, the Mk1 GTI, and improve handling and performance.

Volkswagen Mk4 GTI

GTI 20th Anniversary Edition (2003)

Following the initial commemorative anniversary edition GTI produced in Europe in 1996 celebrating the introduction of the GTI model in 1976, and the overwhelming popularity of the 25th anniversary edition GTI produced 2001 (known as the GTI 337 in North America when released in 2002), Volkswagen of America produced 4,200 so-branded "20th Anniversary Edition" GTIs and 4000 were shipped to the United States and 200 to Canada. This event, in 2003, marked the 20th anniversary of the GTI's first introduction to the U.S. and Canadian market, some 7 years after the GTI was introduced to the European market. Several special features distinguish this new GTI from the rest of the pack.

On the outside, the 20th Anniversary edition came with throwback red-lettered GTI logos on the left front and right rear. The rear was also accompanied by a vintage-look chrome rabbit. Blackened headlights added a distinctive look, while Votex front, rear, and side skirts along with a hatch spoiler and special edition 18" OZ Aristo alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sports complete the exterior transformation. These models were produced only in three colours: Imola Yellow, Jazz Blue and Black Magic Pearl. Distribution of production was 50% Black magic pearl, 25% Jazz Blue and 25% Imola Yellow.

Volkswagen Golf Mk4 GTI - Anniversary Edition

Inside, a few accents were noticeable. Unlike other models, there were no options offered. The only true option was ESP, Volkswagen's stability control feature. All "20ths" had a sunroof, black headliner, golf ball shift knob, black leather steering wheel with silver stitching, black leather shifter boot with silver stitching, perforated leather covered hand brake handle, and sporty black cloth Recaro bucket seats with silver stitching accents and red GTI emblems embroidered in the middle of the back rests. Aluminum trim came standard, complete with a numbered nameplate above the center console identifying the exact production number (US production only) of the vehicle. Volkswagen's premier 8-speaker Monsoon stereo system was also standard.

Volkswagen Golf GTI - Interior

Mechanically, the 20th Anniversary Edition GTI is nearly identical to the GTI 337 Edition. A 6-speed manual 02m transmission marked the most notable departure from the norm, and upgraded suspension stiffened up the ride and lowered the car approximately 30 mm (lower sport springs and revised bushings in the rear). Upgraded disc brakes front (12.3" vented rotors) and rear (10.3" vented rotors) helped bring things to a stop, while red powder-coated calipers added a bit of flair to the package.
Starting in 2002 with engine code AWP, all of the models of the GTI's 1.8T increased in factory boost pressure and horsepower from 150 bhp (110 kW) to 180 bhp (130 kW). The 20th Anniversary GTI was not available with the VR6 engine.

R32 (2003)

In 2002, Volkswagen produced the Golf R32 in Europe as a 2003 model year. It was the World's first production car with a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) — available for the German market. Due to unexpected popularity, Volkswagen decided to sell the car in the United States and Australia as the 2004 model year Volkswagen R32. Billed as the pinnacle of the Golf IV platform, the R32 included every performance, safety, and luxury feature Volkswagen had to offer, including the all new 3.2 litre 24-valve VR6 engine (ID codes: BFH/BML), which produced a rated motive power output of 177 kilowatts (241 PS; 237 hp), and 236 lb·ft (320 N·m) of torque. Further additions included Haldex Traction-based 4motion on-demand four-wheel drive system, a new six-speed manual transmission, independent rear suspension, Climatronic automatic climate control, sport seats from König with R32 logos, 18" OZ Aristo alloy wheels (Ronal produced the wheels towards the end of production), Electronic Stability Programme, larger 334 mm (13.1 in) disc brakes with gloss blue painted calipers, sunroof (for the US), and model-specific bodywork additions.

For Australia, two hundred "Edition 200" cars were produced, each uniquely plaqued and available in three colours: Black Magic Pearl, Deep Blue Pearl and Reflex Silver.

For the US, Tornado Red was an available fourth colour. The distribution of US-spec R32 colours were:

- Deep Blue Pearl: 40%
- Reflex Silver: 35%
- Black Magic Pearl: 15%
- Tornado Red: 10%

Volkswagen Golf 4 - R32 Turbo

Although the R32 looked similar to the 20th Anniversary GTI, it shared most major components with the 3.2 litre Audi TT, including the engine, four-wheel drive system, and both front and rear suspension geometries. For the US, five thousand cars were produced and intended to be sold over a two-year period. The allotment sold out in 13 months.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - R32 - Interior

The R32 is currently the second quickest car that Volkswagen has imported to the U.S., after the B6 Passat 3.6 4motion Sedan - at 5.6 seconds. The R32 is capable of 0-100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) in 6.6 seconds, reduced to 6.4 seconds with the Direct-Shift Gearbox. Clearing the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 99.2 mph (159.6 km/h), the R32 edges out its third fastest sibling, the top-of-the-line Phaeton 6.0 litre W12 (414 bhp), by a tenth of a second at the 1,320-foot (402 m) mark.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - R32 - Recardo Seat Special

It has a high resale and used-car value; the Kelley Blue Book used car retail price (the price an individual might expect to pay for one from a dealer) for a model in excellent condition with low mileage exceeds the original retail price of the car in many cases, making it one of a few recent cars that have actually approached an increase in value. This premium can be explained mostly due to scarcity, both of the cars themselves due to low production and importation, and especially ones that still have low mileage.

Volkswagen Golf 4 - R32 Engine

People's Car - Golf 3 (1991–1999)

The third-generation Volkswagen Golf Mk3 was a car launched in Europe in November 1991 (though not in the United Kingdom until March 1992), and in North America in the spring of 1993. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and A3 Jettas) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America to reject Golfs and Jettas from Mexico; shortly thereafter labor unrest at the plant delayed production there even further. The third-generation Golf and Jetta first appeared in North America as 1993 models in the San Diego, California area and in Canada, then in the autumn in the rest of North America as 1994 models. The Mk3 Cabrio replaced the Volkswagen Cabriolet, which continued the original Golf until 1993, although the original Golf, sold as Rabbit in the United States and Canada ceased sales in 1984. The Mk3 Cabrio continued until the 2002 model year, when Volkswagen replaced it with a convertible version of the Volkswagen New Beetle.

Volkswagen Golf 3

Features

A 16-valve version of the third-generation Golf GTI was introduced in 1993. The engine was enlarged to 2.0 L, with power now reaching 150 PS (110 kW/148 hp). While less powered than the VR6, it was still relatively popular with driving enthusiasts in Europe, because it offered similar power without the thirst or tax burden of a 6 cylinder. As with previous versions the Golf Driver took its place as the official GTI-look-alike but with a single-point injected 1.8 L engine.

Volkswagen Mk3 - 2.8 VR6

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS

The Golf Mk3 was also the predecessor of the "diesel craze" that swept through Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Volkswagen introduced the direct-injection system with the 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) Golf TDI in 1993.

Also offered was a naturally aspirated version of the 1.9 L diesel engine, the SDI, offering 47 kW (64 PS; 63 hp).

Volkswagen Golf 3 Variant

The Golf Mk3 was also available in "Ecomatic" form. It was powered with a diesel engine and a clutchless manual transmission. The vehicle would freewheel by opening of the clutch as soon as the accelerator is released, and the engine was switched off after a further 1.5 seconds of inactivity, whether by stopping or coasting. Re-starting the engine simply required depressing the accelerator pedal. VW had previously pioneered similar technology in the VW Polo "Formel E" in the 1980s.

European tour editions

During the 1990s, Volkswagen sponsored three high-profile rock bands' European tours, and issued a special-edition Golf, with distinctive exterior markings, for each: the Golf Pink Floyd Edition (1994), the Golf Rolling Stones Edition (1995), and the Golf Bon Jovi Edition (1996).