Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi - [1982]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1982. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.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 840 kgs (1851 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer 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 8V St4 engine produces 112 bhp (83 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 109 lb-ft (147.7 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (158.3 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 133.3 bhp per ton and 129.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1982 Golf competing with the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (158.3 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (158.3 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 129.7 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 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (154.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (154.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi as fast as 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 or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.89 secs @ 86.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs), the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (15.82 secs), and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1982 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi has a maximum speed of 112mph.

Top Speed of the 1982 Golf equals the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1982 Volkswagen-VW Golf 1.8 8v GTi then how about the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph), the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (123 mph), or the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (123 mph).

Related Links:

1982 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison