Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1781cc Supercharged 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 1077 kgs (2374 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 8V St4 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Supercharged St4 throws out 166 lb-ft (225.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (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 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (173.5 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 148.5 bhp per ton and 154.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Golf competing with the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (173.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L (173.4 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 154.1 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 2002 Ford Focus RS (179.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto (179.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.23 secs @ 89.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (15.17 secs), the 1976 Ferrari 400 GTS (15.17 secs), and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (15.17 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 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 1990 Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged 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:

1990 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison