Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1976. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1588cc 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 810 kgs (1785 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 in the same weight category as the 2011 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1588cc 16V St4 engine produces 108 bhp (80 kW) @ 6100 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (120 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 103 lb-ft (139.6 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 127.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 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 127.1 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 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (152.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (152.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.91 secs @ 86.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs), the 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (15.85 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 Golf equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph).

Related Links:

1976 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison