Review

Review: Volkwsagen 1J Bora (1999-05)

3.5 stars

  • 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.

Volkswagen 1J Bora specifications
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.

June 2001: Bora 2.8i V6 and update

In June 2001, the Bora 2.3i V5 gained gained a six-stack CD player, leather seats and heated front seats; the newly-introduced 2.8i V6 was further equipped with a power sunroof.

August 2004: Bora update

In August 2004, there was another update for the Bora range: the 2.0i was fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning and heated mirrors, while the 2.3i gained 17-inch alloy wheels; the 2.8i V6 was unchanged.

2001 Bora 2.8i V6 Sport

In October 2001, a limited-run Sport edition of the Bora 2.8i V6 was released. Compared to the standard 2.8i V6, the Bora 2.8i V6 Sport was distinguished by its 17-inch Vortex EVOLO STP alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 225/45 R17 tyres, black leather seats, Black Myrtle woodgrain trim, mesh grille and Oettinger spoiler.

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