Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Jetta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Volkswagen-VW Jetta 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 Jetta 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 Jetta's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 950 kgs (2094 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v in the same weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Jetta shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 16V St4 engine produces 136 bhp (101 kW) @ 6100 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 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 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 Jetta you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (168.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Jetta.

The Volkswagen-VW Jetta has a Power to weight ratio of 143.1 bhp per ton and 125.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Jetta competing with the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (168.1 bhp per ton) or the 1981 Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen (168.0 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 Jetta generating around 125.2 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 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 (150.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Lancia Thema 2.9 V8 8.32 (150.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v as fast as 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 or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v is also faster than 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 and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Jetta and the 1968 Alpine A110 1300

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Jetta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.47 secs @ 88.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (15.40 secs), the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (15.40 secs), and the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (15.41 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Jetta equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Jetta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison