Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
The second generation of the Golf was more of an evolution rather than a revolution for the German compact hatchback, but its innovations helped it climb on top of the sales charts.
The new model looked very similar to its predecessor, but it was bigger. Apart from the height, it was like a 110% Golf I. But its wide engine choice and the form-follow-function theme won the buyers' hearts. In its nine years of production, the Golf's second generation was sold in over six million units. Teenagers and delivery companies chose the three-door version. The main difference was that while the former went for gasoline engines, the latter went for the fuel-efficient diesel powerplants.
For Europe, the Golf II sported round headlights and a wedged shape that was easy to recognize. The U.S. customers received a slightly different version, with squared headlights and a similar black slatted grille. Both versions featured plastic, wrapped-around bumpers front and rear, albeit the U.S. version provided fatter ones to pass the safety standards. In the base model, the car sported steel wheels with plastic, tea-cup-sized caps.
Inside, the carmaker installed an angular-looking dashboard, and a squared instrument cluster extended the center stack. For the base trim level, the Golf featured a speedometer and a clock, with an option for a tachometer. The upper trim levels and the GTI were available with a trip computer, either as an option or standard. In the back, the carmaker installed a folding rear bench to expand the trunk size. A 60/40 split-folding system was on the options list and standard for the GTI.
Under the hood, Volkswagen offered a small range of engines, either gasoline or diesel. An automatic transmission was available for specific versions.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.0L 4MT FWD (45 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1043 cm3 |
Power: | 33 KW @ 5500 RPM 45 HP @ 5500 RPM 44 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 70 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 95 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 85.1 mph (137 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 21.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 122 cuFT (3455 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1829.8 lbs (830 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2998.3 lbs (1360 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 34.1 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 164.2 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (55 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1272 cm3 |
Power: | 40 KW @ 5200 RPM 54 HP @ 5200 RPM 54 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 71 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM 96 Nm @ 3400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 93.8 mph (151 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1807.8 lbs (820 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2998.3 lbs (1360 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 33.1 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 164.2 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 4MT FWD (75 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1595 cm3 |
Power: | 55 KW @ 5200 RPM 75 HP @ 5200 RPM 74 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 92 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 125 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 103.8 mph (167 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1818.8 lbs (825 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3086.5 lbs (1400 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178.5 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT FWD (69 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1595 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 5200 RPM 69 HP @ 5200 RPM 68 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 87 lb-ft @ 2700 RPM 118 Nm @ 2700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 100.7 mph (162 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1818.8 lbs (825 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3086.5 lbs (1400 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 183.3 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 5MT FWD (90 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1781 cm3 |
Power: | 66 KW @ 5200 RPM 90 HP @ 5200 RPM 89 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 107 lb-ft @ 3300 RPM 145 Nm @ 3300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 110.6 mph (178 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2012.8 lbs (913 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3086.5 lbs (1400 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 32.7 mpg US (7.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 171.4 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L D 4MT FWD (54 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 40 KW @ 4800 RPM 54 HP @ 4800 RPM 54 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 74 lb-ft @ 2300 RPM 100 Nm @ 2300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 92 mph (148 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 18.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1920.2 lbs (871 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3152.6 lbs (1430 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 39.2 mpg US (6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 159 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L TD 5MT FWD (70 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 4500 RPM 69 HP @ 4500 RPM 68 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 98 lb-ft @ 2600 RPM 133 Nm @ 2600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99.4 mph (160 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/65 R13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1907 lbs (865 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3152.6 lbs (1430 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 42.8 mpg US (5.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 145.8 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L TD 5MT FWD (80 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 59 KW @ 4500 RPM 80 HP @ 4500 RPM 79 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 114 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 155 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.4 in (1661 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/55.9 in (1,430/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.6 in (2479 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle: | 34.4 ft (10.5 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2116.4 lbs (960 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3152.6 lbs (1430 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 42 mpg US (5.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 148.4 g/km |