Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1781cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Golf shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Golf's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1111 kgs (2449 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 16V St4 engine produces 139 bhp (103 kW) @ 6100 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 124 lb-ft (168.1 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Golf you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1970 Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (150.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Golf.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf has a Power to weight ratio of 125.1 bhp per ton and 111.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Golf competing with the 1970 Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (150.1 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (150.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Golf generating around 111.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf (136.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1978 Triumph TR8 3.5 V8 (136.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.12 secs @ 84.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (16.06 secs), the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (16.06 secs), and the 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Drop-Head Coupe (16.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Golf equals the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 16v GTi then how about the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison