Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
Volkswagen introduced the second generation of the Golf at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show, and it was more of an evolution than a revolution.
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. The five-door version was better suited for young families, without children or with smaller ones.
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. Unlike its predecessor, the second generation was available in a three or five-door version right from its launch.
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 - 1.3L 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: | 155SR13 |
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: | 55.5/55.5 in (1,410/1,410 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: | 1873.9 lbs (850 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3086.5 lbs (1400 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 164 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 4MT FWD (75 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1595 cm3 |
Power: | 55 KW @ 5000 RPM 75 HP @ 5000 RPM 74 BHP @ 5000 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: | 103.7 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: | 175/70SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 63.4 in (1610 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.5 in (1,410/1,410 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: | 1873.9 lbs (850 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 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: | 175/70HR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.6 in (1666 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.5 in (1,410/1,410 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: | 2045.9 lbs (928 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: | 172 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L D 5MT 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 | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.7 in (3980 mm) |
Width: | 65.6 in (1666 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.5 in (1,410/1,410 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: | 2008.4 lbs (911 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: | 154 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L TD 5MT FWD (69 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 @ 2500 RPM 133 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
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 | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/70SR13 |
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: | 55.5/55.5 in (1,410/1,410 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 97.7 in (2482 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2026 lbs (919 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: | 146 g/km |