- Flexible 1.8-litre petrol engines
- Comfortable ride
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Flat front seats lack support
- Long-travel brake pedal lacks progressive reponse
- Cramped rear seats
- Limited in-cabin storage
- 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine lacks refinement
Overview
Released in March 1994, the Volkswagen Mk.3 Golf was available as a small, three- or five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, the front-wheel drive VW Mk.3 Golf range initially consisted of five-door hatchbacks which were available with either 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines (the ‘2.0i’ variants) or 2.8-litre V6 engines (‘VR6’). In October 1995, the range was expanded with the introduction of three-door 1.8i variants and five-door 1.9 TDI variants; from 1996, the five-door hatchbacks were available as 1.8i variants.
Dimensions and suspension
The Volkswagen Mk.3 Golf was 4020 mm long, 1695 mm wide, 1415 mm tall and had a 2475 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Golf had MacPherson strut front suspension with lower wishbones and a torsion beam rear axle with trailing arms.
| Body | Variant | Edition | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3dr hatch |
1.8i | CL | 1995-96 | 1.8-litre ADZ petrol I4 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
66 kW at 5500 rpm | 145 Nm at 2500 rpm |
| 5dr hatch |
1.8i | CL | 1996-98 | 1.8-litre ADZ petrol I4 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
66 kW at 5500 rpm | 145 Nm at 2500 rpm |
| 2.0i | GL | 1994-98 | 2.0-litre ADY petrol I4 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
85 kW at 5400 rpm | 166 Nm at 3200 rpm | |
| Classic | 1996 | ||||||
| 1.9 TDI | GL | 1995-98 | 1.9-litre 1Z turbo-diesel I4 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
66 kW at 4000 rpm | 202 Nm at 1900 rpm | |
| VR6 | N/A | 1994-98 | 2.8-litre AAA petrol V6 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
128 kW at 5800 rpm | 235 Nm at 4200 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Mk.3 Golf included dual front airbags, while the VR6 variants were further equipped with ABS. From February 1995, front seatbelt pretensioners were also fitted as standard.
Features
Standard features for the VW Golf CL included a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, central locking and an immobiliser. The Golf GL editions were further equipped with velour interior trim, power mirrors, power windows and a rear wiper.
From October 1996, both the CL and GL editions were fitted with air conditioning as standard.
The VW Golf VR6 was distinguished by its 15-inch alloy wheels, six speaker sound system, air conditioning, contoured front sports seats and trip computer. From February 1995, the Golf VR6 was also fitted with cruise control.
1996 Golf 2.0i Classic edition
In 1996, 2.0i Classic editions were released in NSW. Compared to the GL, the Classic editions added 14-inch alloy wheels and air conditioning as standard features.
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