Volkswagen Golf Mk3
Encyclopedia
The third-generation Volkswagen Golf
Mk3 was a car
launched in Europe
in November 1991 (though not in the United Kingdom
until March 1992), and in North America
in the spring of 1993. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen
's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and A3 Jettas) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America
to reject Golfs and Jettas from Mexico; shortly thereafter labor unrest at the plant delayed production there even further. The third-generation Golf and Jetta first appeared in North America as 1993 models in the San Diego, California
area and in Canada, then in the autumn in the rest of North America as 1994 models. The Mk3 Cabrio replaced the Volkswagen Cabriolet
, which continued the original Golf until 1993, although the original Golf, sold as Rabbit in the United States
and Canada
ceased sales in 1984. The Mk3 Cabrio continued until the 2002 model year, when Volkswagen replaced it with a convertible version of the Volkswagen New Beetle
.
/Opel Astra
which had long been available as estates. The GTI variants included a 2.8L V6 model, the VR6 engine, and a convertible launched as the Cabrio (Typ 1E).
in late 1999 with the front, rear, and steering wheel
styling from the Golf Mk4
while still maintaining the body from the Mk3 Cabrio. These Cabrios are often referred to as the Mk3.5 Cabrios. The Volkswagen Golf Cabrio was discontinued in 2002.
The Golf Mk3 was also the predecessor of the "diesel craze" that swept through Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Volkswagen introduced the direct-injection system with the 90 PS Golf TDI in 1993.
Also offered was a naturally aspirated version of the 1.9 L diesel engine, the SDI
, offering 47 kW.
The Golf Mk3 was also available in "Ecomatic" form. It was powered with a diesel engine and a clutchless manual transmission
. The vehicle would freewheel by opening of the clutch as soon as the accelerator is released, and the engine was switched off after a further 1.5 seconds of inactivity, whether by stopping or coasting. Re-starting the engine simply required depressing the accelerator pedal. VW had previously pioneered similar technology in the VW Polo "Formel E" in the 1980s.
There was also a limited production run of around 250 "CityStromer" vehicles, mainly sold to the German market, which were fully electric vehicles, incorporating 6 batteries in the engine bay, and a further 10 underneath the luggage area. It had a range of approximately 50 km. The vehicle could be filled with a small amount of diesel to provide heat for the cabin.
As had happened with the Mk1
and Mk2
, the Mk3 remained available in US for a year after it was discontinued in Europe (1998). The Mk3 continued to be produced for the 1999 model year where it was sold in North and South America. These 1999 Mk3 cars were the last produced in the world and sold alongside the Mk4
in showrooms.
Awards
front sport seats and matching rear seats bearing the GTI logo, red seat belts front and rear, half-chromed and leather golf ball gear knob, red stitched leather steering wheel and handbrake gaiter. The release knob on the hand brake was also red and silver instrument dials. Floor mats also had red piping along their edges. The red theme continued externally with a red striping on the bumpers and red brake calipers. The wheels were 16" x 7.5" split rim BBS
RS 722 alloys, visually similar to the 15" that were found on VR6 model. Brush stainless steel rear twin tailpipes on the exhaust and smoked front fog and indicator lamps to match the rear lamps. 3 optional extras were made available; electric sunroof, air conditioning and metallic black paintwork. Insurance was based on the standard GTI which made this version a very desirable model. The edition was sold in only 6 colour schemes and the 1000 number figures that were produced was as follows; 600 8 valve models, 150 16 valve models and 250 TDI models. The diesel model was only produced for the European market and was not sold in the UK. Unfortunately many of the models fell into the UK company car and lease market prior to the second-hand market and its believed only a few hundred still survive.
However, another factor in the rarity of Mark 3 Golfs, unlike the excellent build quality of the Mark 2, at least in the UK, is the very low quality steel sourced by VW, and used across the range, from entry model to VR6. According to independent mechanics and parts specialists, and MOT testers, the floorpan, both door sills, and rear hatch suffer severe rot and disintegration, and anybody planning to buy oneis advised to check for rot, and holes and patches to the floorpan.
Volkswagen originally created the Design series to tour at International Auto shows. Due to the huge public response of the original four Design series, 60 more were produced. Eventually, 264 were made and offered in 1996, exclusively in the North American market.
Based on the 1996 Golf GL platform, the Harlequin model included: limited edition Harlequin paint scheme, limited edition Harlequin sport cloth seats, and silver-faced gauges. They were offered with several different wheel options.
One of the rarest VWs ever produced, the Harlequins were produced by swapping the body panels of four different colored Golfs. They are usually designated by their base color (the color of the car with no body panels attached). The base color is not repeated on any of the other body parts.
Red
Ginster
Yellow
Pistachio
Green
Chagall
Blue
Color Example
Color Code
LY3D
L132
LD6D
L5D5
Color
Pattern
Red
Base
Yellow
Base
Green
Base
Blue
Base
Roof
Rocker Panel
Rear Quarter
Front Bumper
Front Doors
Side Mirrors
Hood
Rear Doors
Rear Bumper
Front Fenders
Front Grill
Rear Hatch
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
Mk3 was a car
Čar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
launched in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in November 1991 (though not in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
until March 1992), and in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in the spring of 1993. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and A3 Jettas) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America
Volkswagen of America
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. , is the North American operational headquarters, and subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group of automobile companies of Germany. VWoA is responsible for five marques: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Volkswagen cars. It also controls VW Credit, Inc...
to reject Golfs and Jettas from Mexico; shortly thereafter labor unrest at the plant delayed production there even further. The third-generation Golf and Jetta first appeared in North America as 1993 models in the San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
area and in Canada, then in the autumn in the rest of North America as 1994 models. The Mk3 Cabrio replaced the Volkswagen Cabriolet
Volkswagen Golf Mk1
In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, hatchback replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle.-History:...
, which continued the original Golf until 1993, although the original Golf, sold as Rabbit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ceased sales in 1984. The Mk3 Cabrio continued until the 2002 model year, when Volkswagen replaced it with a convertible version of the Volkswagen New Beetle
Volkswagen New Beetle
-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:...
.
Models
Three-door Golfs of this generation were mostly only available in North America in GTI form. For the first time, an estate was produced, bringing it into line with key competitors such as the Ford Escort and VauxhallVauxhall Astra
Astra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
/Opel Astra
Opel Astra
The Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
which had long been available as estates. The GTI variants included a 2.8L V6 model, the VR6 engine, and a convertible launched as the Cabrio (Typ 1E).
Cabriolet
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Cabrio (or Typ 1E) was introduced in 1993. It was faceliftedFacelift (automobile)
The automotive facelift comprises changes to a car's styling during its production run — often including new sheetmetal and/or interior design) with minimal changes to its underlying mechanicals — allowing a carmaker to freshen a model without complete redesign.A facelift retains the...
in late 1999 with the front, rear, and steering wheel
Steering wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
styling from the Golf Mk4
Volkswagen Golf Mk4
Launched in 1999, the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 was the best selling car in Europe in 2001 . The Mk4 was a deliberate attempt to take the Volkswagen Golf series further upmarket, with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels...
while still maintaining the body from the Mk3 Cabrio. These Cabrios are often referred to as the Mk3.5 Cabrios. The Volkswagen Golf Cabrio was discontinued in 2002.
Features
A 16-valve version of the third-generation Golf GTI was introduced in 1993. The engine was enlarged to 2.0 L, with power now reaching 150 PS (110 kW/148 hp). While less powered than the VR6, it was still relatively popular with driving enthusiasts in Europe, because it offered similar power without the thirst or tax burden of a 6 cylinder. As with previous versions the Golf Driver took its place as the official GTI-look-alike but with a single-point injected 1.8 L engine.Also offered was a naturally aspirated version of the 1.9 L diesel engine, the SDI
Suction Diesel Injection
The SDI engine is a design of naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine developed and produced by Volkswagen Group for use in cars and vans, along with marine engine and Volkswagen Industrial Motor applications....
, offering 47 kW.
The Golf Mk3 was also available in "Ecomatic" form. It was powered with a diesel engine and a clutchless manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. The vehicle would freewheel by opening of the clutch as soon as the accelerator is released, and the engine was switched off after a further 1.5 seconds of inactivity, whether by stopping or coasting. Re-starting the engine simply required depressing the accelerator pedal. VW had previously pioneered similar technology in the VW Polo "Formel E" in the 1980s.
There was also a limited production run of around 250 "CityStromer" vehicles, mainly sold to the German market, which were fully electric vehicles, incorporating 6 batteries in the engine bay, and a further 10 underneath the luggage area. It had a range of approximately 50 km. The vehicle could be filled with a small amount of diesel to provide heat for the cabin.
As had happened with the Mk1
Volkswagen Golf Mk1
In May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, hatchback replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle.-History:...
and Mk2
Volkswagen Golf Mk2
The Volkswagen Golf Mk2 succeeded the Mk1 as Volkswagen's volume seller from 1983 and remained in production until late 1992. In comparison to its predecessor, its wheelbase grew slightly , as did exterior dimensions . Weight was up accordingly by about...
, the Mk3 remained available in US for a year after it was discontinued in Europe (1998). The Mk3 continued to be produced for the 1999 model year where it was sold in North and South America. These 1999 Mk3 cars were the last produced in the world and sold alongside the Mk4
Volkswagen Golf Mk4
Launched in 1999, the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 was the best selling car in Europe in 2001 . The Mk4 was a deliberate attempt to take the Volkswagen Golf series further upmarket, with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels...
in showrooms.
Awards
- 1997 Which?Which?Which? is a product-testing and consumer campaigning charity with a magazine, website and various other services run by Which? Ltd ....
Magazine best buys: best family car - European Car of the YearEuropean Car of the YearThe European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
: 1992 - 1992 What Car?What Car?What Car? is a long-running UK monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Fowler and published by Haymarket Motoring. First published in 1973, it is intended primarily as a magazine for consumers rather than dedicated automobile enthusiasts...
car of the year
20th Anniversary GTI
Volkswagen produced a limited quantity of 1000 special-edition 3 and 5-door GTI Anniversary models, celebrating 20 years of the GTI model. This had the usual GTI specification but came equipped with special chequered RecaroRecaro
RECARO GmbH & Co. KG, commonly known as Recaro, is a German company based in Kirchheim unter Teck in the vicinity of Stuttgart, known for their automobile bucket seats...
front sport seats and matching rear seats bearing the GTI logo, red seat belts front and rear, half-chromed and leather golf ball gear knob, red stitched leather steering wheel and handbrake gaiter. The release knob on the hand brake was also red and silver instrument dials. Floor mats also had red piping along their edges. The red theme continued externally with a red striping on the bumpers and red brake calipers. The wheels were 16" x 7.5" split rim BBS
BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG
BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG is a high performance automobile wheel design company headquartered in Schiltach, Germany. BBS serves North America through BBS of America, located in Braselton, Georgia, adjacent to the Road Atlanta Racetrak...
RS 722 alloys, visually similar to the 15" that were found on VR6 model. Brush stainless steel rear twin tailpipes on the exhaust and smoked front fog and indicator lamps to match the rear lamps. 3 optional extras were made available; electric sunroof, air conditioning and metallic black paintwork. Insurance was based on the standard GTI which made this version a very desirable model. The edition was sold in only 6 colour schemes and the 1000 number figures that were produced was as follows; 600 8 valve models, 150 16 valve models and 250 TDI models. The diesel model was only produced for the European market and was not sold in the UK. Unfortunately many of the models fell into the UK company car and lease market prior to the second-hand market and its believed only a few hundred still survive.
However, another factor in the rarity of Mark 3 Golfs, unlike the excellent build quality of the Mark 2, at least in the UK, is the very low quality steel sourced by VW, and used across the range, from entry model to VR6. According to independent mechanics and parts specialists, and MOT testers, the floorpan, both door sills, and rear hatch suffer severe rot and disintegration, and anybody planning to buy oneis advised to check for rot, and holes and patches to the floorpan.
Harlequin Edition
Based on the 1996 Golf GL platform, the Harlequin model included: limited edition Harlequin paint scheme, limited edition Harlequin sport cloth seats, and silver-faced gauges. They were offered with several different wheel options.
One of the rarest VWs ever produced, the Harlequins were produced by swapping the body panels of four different colored Golfs. They are usually designated by their base color (the color of the car with no body panels attached). The base color is not repeated on any of the other body parts.
Red
Yellow
Green
Blue
Pattern
Base
Base
Base
Base
Rocker Panel
Rear Quarter
Front Doors
Side Mirrors
Rear Doors
Rear Bumper
Front Grill
Wolfsburg Edition
A Wolfsburg Edition was produced alongside other Mk3 "Wolfsburg Edition" Jettas in the United States. Like the Wolfsburg Edition Jetta, Mk3 Golfs with the Wolfsburg package came standard with an improved white/tan dual-tone interior, smoked tail-lamps, premium alloy wheels, remote entry, power windows/mirrors, and an tilt/slide sunroof. The Wolfsburg Edition was only available with the VW 8-valve SOHC 2.0L engine.European tour editions
During the 1990s, Volkswagen sponsored three high-profile rock bands' European tours, and issued a special-edition Golf, with distinctive exterior markings, for each: the Golf Pink FloydPink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
Edition (1994), the Golf Rolling Stones Edition (1995), and the Golf Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
Edition (1996).
European Car of the Year
The Golf MK3 was voted European Car of the YearEuropean Car of the Year
The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
for 1992 - the first Volkswagen to win this award.
Engine choices
| Name | Volume | Engine | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 1390 cc | 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
Petrol | 60 PS @5200 rpm | 107 newton metre @2800−3200 rpm | ABD | 16.3 | 157 km/h (97.6 mph) | 1991−1995 |
| 1.4 | 1391 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 60 PS @4700 rpm | 116 newton metre @2800−3200 rpm | AEX/APQ | 15.9 | 158 km/h (98.2 mph) | 1995−1997 |
| 1.6 | 1598 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 75 PS @5200 rpm | 125 newton metre @3400 rpm | ABU | 168 km/h (104.4 mph) | 1992−1994 | |
| 1.6 | 1598 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 75 PS @5200 rpm | 126 newton metre @2600 rpm | AEA | 168 km/h (104.4 mph) | 1994−1995 | |
| 1.6 | 1598 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 75 PS @4800 rpm | 135 newton metre @2800−3600 rpm | AEE | 13.4 | 168 km/h (104.4 mph) | 1995−1997 |
| 1.6 | 1595 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 100 PS @5800 rpm | 135 newton metre @4400 rpm | AEK | 188 km/h (116.8 mph) | 1994−1995 | |
| 1.6 | 1595 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 100 PS @5800 rpm | 140 newton metre @3500 rpm | AFT/AKS | 11.2 | 188 km/h (116.8 mph) | 1995−1997 |
| 1.8 | 1781 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 75 PS @5000 rpm | 140 newton metre @2500 rpm | AAM/ANN | 14.2 | 168 km/h (104.4 mph) | 1991−1997 |
| 1.8 | 1781 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 90 PS @5500 rpm | 145 newton metre @2500 rpm | ABS/ADZ/ANP/ADD | 12.1 | 178 km/h (110.6 mph) | 1991−1997 |
| 2.0 | 1984 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 115 PS @5400 rpm | 166 newton metre @3200 rpm | 2E/ABA/AGG | 9.9 | 198 km/h (123 mph) | 1991−1996 |
| 2.0 16V | 1984 cc | 4cyl | Petrol | 150 PS @6000 rpm | 180 newton metre @4600 rpm | ABF | 8.1 | 215 km/h (133.6 mph) | 1993−1997 |
| 2.8 VR6 | 2792 cc | VR6 | Petrol | 174 PS @5800 rpm | 235 newton metre @4200 rpm | AAA | 7.6 | 224 km/h (139.2 mph) | 1991−1997 |
| 2.9 VR6 | 2861 cc | VR6 | Petrol | 191 PS @5800 rpm | 245 newton metre @4200 rpm | ABV | 7.1 | 235 km/h (146 mph) | 1994−1997 |
| 1.9 D | 1896 cc | 4cyl | Diesel Diesel engine A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber... |
64 PS @4400 rpm | 124 newton metre @2000−3000 rpm | 1Y | 17.6 | 156 km/h (96.9 mph) | 1991−1997 |
| 1.9 SDI Suction Diesel Injection The SDI engine is a design of naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine developed and produced by Volkswagen Group for use in cars and vans, along with marine engine and Volkswagen Industrial Motor applications.... |
1896 cc | 4cyl | Diesel | 64 PS @4200 rpm | 125 newton metre @2200−2800 rpm | AEY | 17.6 | 156 km/h (96.9 mph) | 1995−1997 |
| 1.9 TD Turbodiesel Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines... |
1896 cc | 4cyl | Diesel | 75 PS @4200 rpm | 150 newton metre @2400−3400 rpm | AAZ | 15.1 | 165 km/h (102.5 mph) | 1991−1997 |
| 1.9 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
1896 cc | 4cyl | Diesel | 90 PS @4000 rpm | 202 newton metre @1900 rpm | 1Z | 12.8 | 178 km/h (110.6 mph) | 1993−1996 |
| 1.9 TDI | 1896 cc | 4cyl | Diesel | 90 PS @4000 rpm | 210 newton metre @1900 rpm | AHU | 12.5 | 178 km/h (110.6 mph) | 1996−1997 |
| 1.9 TDI | 1896 cc | 4cyl | Diesel | 110 PS @4150 rpm | 235 newton metre @1900 rpm | AFN | 11.0 | 193 km/h (119.9 mph) | 1996−1997 |
See also
- Volkswagen A platformVolkswagen A platformThe Volkswagen Group A platform is an automobile platform shared among compact and mid-size cars of the Volkswagen Group.It was originally based on the engineering concept of the Volkswagen Golf Mk1, and is applicable to either front- or four-wheel drive vehicles, using only front-mounted...
- Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen GolfThe Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
- VDubVDubVDub was a parody tagline, used in a short series of commercials for German car manufacturer Volkswagen. As part of a 2006 advertising campaign for Volkswagen, advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky created a series of three television commercials directed by Jonas Åkerlund, starring Swedish...
- list of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol engines
- list of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel engines
- Hot hatchHot hatchHot hatch was originally an informal automotive industry term, shortened from hot hatchback, initially coined by the British motoring press in 1984, for a high-performance derivative of a car body style consisting of a three- or five-door hatchback automobile.Vehicles of this class are based on...
- Small family car