- Supportive front seats
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Comfortable ride
- Responsive brakes
- Performance of 2.0-litre petrol engine is only adequate
- Overly-assisted steering
- Limited rear leg room
- Overly-assisted steering
- Engines require premium unleaded petrol
Overview
Released in December 1999, the Volkswagen 1J Bora was compact, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, the VW Bora range initially consisted of the 2.0i and 2.3i V5 variants, but was expanded in June 2001 with the 2.8i V6.
Compared to its 1H Vento predecessor, the Volkswagen 1J Bora was 4 mm shorter (at 4376 mm), 40 mm wider (1735 mm), 41 mm taller (1446 mm) and had a 38 mm longer wheelbase (2513 mm). Based on the Mk.4 Golf, the Bora had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.
| Variant | Engine | Year | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0i | 2.0-litre APK petrol I4 | 1999-05 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
85 kW at 5200 rpm | 170 Nm at 2400 rpm |
| 2.3i V5 | 2.3-litre AGZ petrol V5 (SOHC) | 1999-01 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
110 kW at 6200 rpm | 205 Nm at 3200 rpm |
| 2.3-litre AQN petrol V5 (DOHC) | 2001-05 | 5sp auto, 5sp man. |
125 kW at 6200 rpm | 220 Nm at 3200 rpm | |
| 2.8i V6 | 2.8-litre BDE petrol V6 | 2001-04 | 6sp man. | 150 kW at 6200 rpm | 270 Nm at 3200 rpm |
4-Motion all-wheel drive system
For the VW Bora 2.8i V6, the ‘4-Motion’ all-wheel drive system consisted of a Haldex coupling that was mounted in front of the rear axle differential. As such, the 4-Motion system provided front-wheel drive in normal conditions, but utilised hydraulic and electronic systems to detect a loss of traction at the front wheels; the clutch plates would then engage to direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle.
Safety equipment
Initially, standard safety equipment for the VW Bora 2.0i and 2.3i V5 included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. From June 2001, the 2.3i V5 was fitted with traction control and the 2.8i V6 was also fitted with electronic stability control. From August 2004, the 2.3i V5 was also fitted with electronic stability control, while the 2.8i V6 gained brake assist.
Features
Standard features for the Volkswagen Bora 2.0i included 15-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, contoured sports seats, cruise control, a 60/40 split and folding rear seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, an alarm and immobiliser.
The Bora 2.3i V5 was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, manually adjustable front seat lumbar support and woodgrain interior trim.
