MK2 8v '84-91
History/Spec
The Golf grew up in February 1984. The wheelbase was lengthened by 75 mm, the track by 23 mm {front) and 50 mm (rear), while the overall length increased by 170 mm and the width by 55 mm. The car's weight increased from 840 kg to 920 kg, yet it wasn't any the more sluggish for it. Indeed, thanks to its new rounded edges, drag was dramatically reduced from 0.42 to 0.34 cd. The GTI was pretty much as the standard car, except for disc brakes fitted all round. The 1.8 engine still produced 112 bhp at 5800 rpm, reached 60 mph in just over eight seconds and had a new top speed of 119 mph. The spec for UK cars was generous at first, including P slot alloys and sunroof -- although these were deleted from the three-door and transferred to the five-door version, which arrived in February 1985. From February 1987, ABS brakes became optional. In August, in came a new-shape grille, left-hand parking wipers and central rear VW badge, while out went the front quarterlight. The 8-valve now had Digifant engine management and new trim, and the five-doors got steelies as standard. Special equipment models in the summer of 1988 celebrated production of 10 million Golfs. The spec included seven-spoke alloys, central locking, multi-stripe trim and tinted rear lights. Available in Helios Blue, metallic black and Oak Green, they proved a big success. In August 1989, the so-called big bumpers arrived; whilst on the mechanical front, a cat became optional -- but 12-hole steel wheels were now standard. October 1990 and power-steering, tinted glass and central locking were fitted to the 8-valve. 1991 was the run-out year for the model, so in October the equipment package was uprated to include BBS alloy wheels, partiallysmoked rear light lenses, electric front windows and 16-valve-style rainbow upholstery. Metallic paint finish was now a no-cost option. The MK2 model range was officially discontinued in February 1992.
MK2 16v '87-91
History/Spec
September 1986 was an important date -- that's when Wolfsburg gave us the 16-valve Golf. The only clue that this had eight valves more than the standard GTI was a bright red badge below the logo -- and if you took a tape measure to it, you'd find it 10 mm closer to the ground. Under the arches sat stiffer springs -- 10 per cent more (front), 20 per cent more (rear) -with modified shocks and anti-roll bars. Even the ventilated front discs were larger, at 265 mm, helped out by beefier brake pistons all round. The 6 in rims wore 185/60VR-14 tyres, and the standard spec included central locking, electric windows and sunroof. The really important component though, lay beneath the bonnet. A cast-alloy, thermally-hardened 16-valve cylinder head, operated by two counter-rotating, chain-driven camshafts. Both shifted competition-spec inlet and exhaust valves and were mated to hydraulic tappets. The set-up needed an oil pump from a diesel engine to stay lubricated. A 10:1 compression ratio and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system helped increase power by more than 24 per cent over the 8-valve. A bhp of 139 at 6300 rpm and peak torque of 121.5 Ibf.ft at 4600 rpm, translated into a 129 mph top speed and 60 mph in just over seven seconds. Developments were pretty much as the 8-valve, although in February 1987, 16-valves were offered with nasty digital dashs -- but few were actually ordered. Everyone wanted the special equipment versions in summer 1988, though. In August 1989, big bumpers arrived, with front fog-lamps and larger side rubbing strips. Although smoked rear lamp clusters and BBS alloys were fitted, out went electric windows. Power steering was now part of the spec. January 1990 welcomed the five-door 16-valve. In November, electric windows reappeared on the spec sheet. October 1991, and a Panasonic RDS pull-out radio/cassette became standard. Like the 8-valve, the model was discontinued in February 1992.
......to be pedantic. (stuff I found trawling on the net)
gotta be 16v tho eh
