customVW.com 1
did not last. In 2006, after selling three generations of the Golf to American buyers, V market. But guess what? Volkswagen has had yet another change of heart and has rever ack for good this time. Current Volkswagen Golf The Volkswagen Golf is a compact Golf is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower. A fiv ncludes air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping er four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 140 hp and a robust 236 pound-feet of to DSG) is optional. EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is an impressive 34 mpg. The tereo with touchscreen interface and an iPod interface. A navigation system and xeno olkswagen Golf stands apart in the compact class with an overall level of refinemen f smooth ride and driving involvement, and the subdued yet classy styling make the mend the TDI model because of its higher level of equipment, strong engine and super or it. There is also a high-performance version of the Golf known as the GTI and a Golf name returned for 2010, marking the first year for the redesigned sixth-generati sted in a used Golf, it's important to keep this in mind. Introduced midway through lean lines, an impressive standard features roster and the availability of turbodiesel dition, three body styles were available: a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback njoyable to drive thanks to its responsive chassis, this Golf also offered a variety of arrow-angle V6, which made up to 200 hp) or a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. he 150-horse version was available on the standard four-door Golf in 2000 and 2001 nown as the TDI, the Golf's diesel offering consisted of a 1.9-liter turbodiesel inline Golf TDI models sold from 2004-'06 had an updated version of the 1.9-liter that deli ered, sporting a 3.2-liter 240-hp VR6, all-wheel drive and tasteful body accents; it wa Most folks shopping the used Volkswagen Golf market within these years, however, will which were powered by an outdated two-valves-per-cylinder 2.0-liter four-cylinder en verage fuel mileage, this power plant offered the worst of both worlds. Buyers looking ear. Horsepower is the same, but the engines in the new Golfs had an upgraded cylind f possible, we suggest looking for a fourth-gen Golf with either the 1.9-liter TDI or t market, while four-door Golf 1.8T models may be hard to come by because of their sh find it in the two-door GTI.Generally, our editors found this Golf to be a likable ve tood out because of its long list of standard features, high-quality cabin materials an egated by depreciation), the aforementioned 2.0-liter engine and mediocre reliability The third generation of the VW Golf ran from 1993 to mid-1999 and sported a more c ody and a strong character line chiseled into the profile. The 115-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 hat provided a thrilling 172 hp. Golf TDI models were offered intermittently during t .S. emissions regulations. Although fun to drive, this generation of the Volkswagen Go s a strike at the assembly plant limited sales to California and the New England state ad a busier version of the previous Golf/Rabbit's basic styling. Power ranged from a Golfs from this era had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Initially, the 1.8-liter was listed at ltimate longevity, chances are slim of finding a choice example in the used car mark f a roller-coaster ride throughout its life. Debuting in Europe in 1974, it came to the design, VW shifted the North American version to the official “Golf” name. But even tha olkswagen had a nostalgic feeling and renamed its economy car the Rabbit for the U erted back to the Golf name for 2010. Yep, it’s confusing. Hopefully, VW’s Golf name i atchback available in a two- or four-door body style. Regardless of body style, the ba five-speed manual is standard andsix-speed automatic is optional. Standard equipmen teering wheel and an auxiliary audio jack. The Golf TDI model features a 2.0-liter f six-speed manual is standard and VW’s six-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DSG rim also adds alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, Bluetooth and an upgraded ster eadlamps are optional. Like the Rabbit before it and the Golf before that, the current hat simply can’t be matched. The near-luxury quality of the cabin, the European blend Golf’s price premium worth it. Regarding the Golf’s current lineup, we strongly recomm uel economy. The base engine is powerful for the class, but fuel economy suffers for 4 customVW.com y related sedan known as the Jetta. Used Volkswagen Golf Models The Volkswagen G model. Previous to this for a few years, there was the VW Rabbit. Should you be interest 999 model year and sold up until mid-2006, the fourth-generation Golf sported clea
Volkswagen had a nostalgic feeling and renamed its economy car the Rabbit for the U rted back to the Golf name for 2010. Yep, it's confusing. Hopefully, VW's Golf name is hatchback available in a two- or four-door body style. Regardless of body style, the ve-speed manual is standard andsix-speed automatic is optional. Standard equipment ng steering wheel and an auxiliary audio jack. The Golf TDI model features a 2.0-liorque. A six-speed manual is standard and VW's six-speed dual-clutch automated manu e TDI trim also adds alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, Bluetooth and an upgrad on headlamps are optional. Like the Rabbit before it and the Golf before that, the curr nt that simply can't be matched. The near-luxury quality of the cabin, the European ble Golf's price premium worth it. Regarding the Golf's current lineup, we strongly recom rior fuel economy. The base engine is powerful for the class, but fuel economy suffers closely related sedan known as the Jetta.Used Volkswagen Golf Models The Volkswag ion model. Previous to this for a few years, there was the VW Rabbit. Should you be in the 1999 model year and sold up until mid-2006, the fourth-generation Golf sported power -- a rarity in any segment, let alone the economy car sector. In keeping with t and a convertible (sold as a separate model under the Cabrio name). f engines. The GTI could be had with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder "VR6" engine (a compact The turbo-4, or 1.8T, as it was called, made either 150 or 180 hp, depending on the y 1. e-4, initially rated for 90 hp and capable of returning nearly 50 mpg on the highway. ivered 100 hp. Late in the model run, the limited-edition high-performance R32 was o as sold only as a 2004 model. l probably be looking at the volume-seller Golfs (the GL and GLS trim levels), most ngine. With just 115 hp -- compared to the 125-150-hp ratings of most peers -- and be g at '99 models should note that both third- and fourth-generation Golfs were sold t der head design for better low-end response. the 1.8-liter turbo instead. Note that Golf TDIs are relatively easy to find on the used hort, two-year run. If you want the turbocharged 1.8-liter engine, you're more likely t ehicle to drive. Compared to other economy cars or hatchbacks of the time, the VW Go nd generally fun-to-drive nature. Downsides included a high price when new (now la y. cohesive design than past models, with monochromatic bumpers that blended into the 4 was the volume engine, while the GTI offered the VR6, a narrow-angle 2.8-liter V6 this generation, as VW had difficulty getting its 90-hp turbodiesel four-cylinder to me olf was notorious for spotty electrical problems. Notably, '93 Golfs can be hard to find es. Spanning the years 1985-'92, the second generation of Volkswagen's Beetle replacem 1.6-liter, 52-hp diesel to a 2.0-liter, 131-hp 16-valve inline-4 as seen in the GTI. Mos 85 hp, but it was later re-rated for 100. As this generation generally wasn't known fo ket One of the pioneers in the small hatchback segment, the Volkswagen Golf has had U.S. a year later wearing the Rabbit nameplate. Ten years later and coinciding with a at did not last. In 2006, after selling three generations of the Golf to American buye U.S. market. But guess what? Volkswagen has had yet another change of heart and has r is back for good this time. Current Volkswagen Golf The Volkswagen Golf is a comp ase Golf is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower. nt includes air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescop four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 140 hp and a robust 236 pound-feet of torqu G) is optional. EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is an impressive 34 mpg. The T reo with touchscreen interface and an iPod interface. A navigation system and xenon t Volkswagen Golf stands apart in the compact class with an overall level of refinem of smooth ride and driving involvement, and the subdued yet classy styling make th mend the TDI model because of its higher level of equipment, strong engine and supe it. There is also a high-performance version of the Golf known as the GTI and a clo Golf name returned for 2010, marking the first year for the redesigned sixth-generatio ted in a used Golf, it’s important to keep this in mind. Introduced midway through t an lines, an impressive standard features roster and the availability of turbodiesel po
8 CUSTOMVW.COM customVW.com
customVW.com JANUARY 9
PHOTOGRAPHY: ASHLEY JETTA
By Greg Emmerson, Sam Du Insiders tell us the cars won’t be as radical as the Jetta R GT, so what you see here really is a unique piece of VW history. So that was the hype, but could the car live up to expectations almost a year later? Well now’s the time to read Sam’s experiences and see if the legend is alive. 14customVW.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIAN DUNN
customVW.com15 customVW.com