Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 2792cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Golf shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. 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 1401 kgs (3088 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION in the same weight category as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2792cc 24V V6 engine produces 204 bhp (152 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 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 145.6 bhp per ton and 142.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Golf competing with the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (170.3 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 142.0 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 2007 Audi A3 S3 2.0TFSI Quattro (167.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo 2.0 (166.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.26 secs @ 89.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255 (15.19 secs), the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (15.19 secs), and the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (15.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION has a maximum speed of 148mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Golf equals the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION then how about the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph), the 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 (159 mph), or the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison