Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1994. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12 and the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1984cc 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 1181 kgs (2603 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo 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 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 6000 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 133 lb-ft (180.3 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 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 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 1998 Bentley Arnage 4.4 V8 (152.0 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 127.0 bhp per ton and 112.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 Golf competing with the 1998 Bentley Arnage 4.4 V8 (152.0 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (152.0 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 112.6 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 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (137.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 (137.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V is also faster than 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 and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1980 Porsche 911 SC

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.02 secs @ 85.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (15.95 secs), the 2008 Lexus GS 350 (15.95 secs), and the 2012 Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo (15.96 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 Golf equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1994 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 GTi 16V then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1994 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison