The Supercharged German Hot Hatch You Never Knew Existed
Hot hatches are defined as high-performance hatchback models, and although the segment is not what it used to be, a handful of models retain the thrill of the segment's golden age.
Aside from the first hot hatch, one of the most prolific names in the modern hot hatch is the Volkswagen Golf 8 R, which stands as one of the most capable models in the hot hatch segment and one of the most expensive offerings. However, before the Golf R was introduced, the German automaker introduced a limited run of the MK2 Golf that can be considered a precursor to today's potent German hot hatch.
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Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a mainstream automaker founded by the German Labour Front in 1937 as the "people's car" company. Famous for the Volkswagen Beetle, Type 2 Bus, and modern classics like the Golf and Jetta, Volkswagen has emerged as one of the world's largest automakers and a subsection of the larger Volkswagen Group, which either directly or indirectly owns controlling stakes in Porsche, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rimac, Seat, and more.
This article focuses on the Volkswagen G60 engine and the vehicles it was used in. For this article, we arranged the cars we're discussing based on their power and rarity.
The G60 Engine
Collecting Cars
The story of the precursor to the Golf R begins with the introduction of the G60 engine. For the uninitiated, the G60 engine was an inline-four-cylinder gasoline engine loosely based on Volkswagen's EA827 engine series, but developed from a much smaller engine called the G40. As far as specifications are concerned, the G60 engine consisted of a gray cast iron engine block paired with a cast aluminum alloy cylinder head.
What was uncommon about this engine was its use of a forged steel crankshaft with five main bearings, cast pistons, a belt-driven forged steel single overhead camshaft, hydraulic valve lifters, a Bosch Digifant engine control unit, an electronic multipoint fuel injection system, and even a knock sensor.
One of the defining traits of this engine was its use of a scroll-type supercharger. This magnesium-cased scroll-type supercharger was called the "G-Lader" and was utilized in several of VW's passenger cars. Still, its main use was in a handful of Volkswagen Golfs, which had become the automaker's bestseller. Its purpose was to increase the power output of the 1.8-liter four-banger, and it was driven using the crankshaft while also avoiding turbocharger lag.
It was manufactured by the Volkswagen Group and used in a select group of Volkswagen's passenger cars between the late 1980s and the early 1990s. The G60 engine was first introduced in the B3-generation Volkswagen Passat sedan. It was also employed in the Mk2 Volkswagen Golf, but we'll discuss that model soon.
Although the B3 Volkswagen Passat was sold in the United States, it didn't feature the G60 engine. The only model to utilize the G60 in the United States was the Volkswagen Corrado, which relied on the supercharged 1.8-liter inline-four-cylinder engine until the celebrated VR6 engine replaced it. However, outside the US, the G60 engine powered a handful of really cool hot hatches.
The G60-Powered Mk2 Golf GTi
Volkswagen Golf GTI G60_2
Engine | 1.8-liter, supercharged, inline-four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 158 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
Torque | 165 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
0-60 | 8.3 seconds |
Top speed | 134 mph |
The United States enjoyed the Mk2 Golf GTI, which relied on a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. However, this was closer to the end of the Mk2 Golf's lifespan, with two variations of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine used before the 2.0-liter power plant was adopted. While this was a significant engine, it was overshadowed by a more potent variation of the Golf GTI that debuted in 1990 called the Volkswagen Golf GTI G60, which, as the name would suggest, utilized the G60 four-cylinder engine. Horsepower and torque were increased significantly compared to the standard Golf GTI alongside most of its performance metrics.
Compared to the standard Volkswagen Golf GTi, the G60-powered model was faster, more powerful, and more exclusive. It wasn't available in the US but sold in other markets and is one of the most noteworthy renditions of the Volkswagen Mk2 Golf. However, it was far from the most potent G60-powered Mk2 Volkswagen Golf.
volkswagen gtd front badge
The Diesel-Powered Golf GTI America Missed Out On
Controversy aside, as a piece of motoring excellence the States has missed out on something quite remarkable.
VW's Muscle-Bound Rallye Golf
Volkswagen Golf G60_9
Engine | 1.8-liter, supercharged, inline-four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 158 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
Torque | 166 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm |
0-62 | 8.5 seconds (est) |
Top speed | < 130 mph |
The Volkswagen Mk2 Rallye Golf was a homologation special and the German automaker's answer to Group A homologation requirements. As many of us know, Group A was a grueling racing series full of impressive performance, and the automaker's Golf GTI, although a capable city runabout, didn't have what it took to compete. Ergo, the Rallye Golf was born. Bred as the basis of a hardcore race car, the Rallye Golf was visually distinguished from the standard Mkl2 Golf by way of boxy, flared wheel arches and its rectangular projector headlamps.
volvo 850r sedan
Mechanically, it was far removed from the standard Golf, featuring hardware like VW's Syncro four-wheel-drive system, a cable-shifted transmission, and most notably, the supercharged G60 engine. However, the G60 engine used in the Rallye Golf had a slightly lower displacement, which allowed VW to enter the car into the sub-3-liter class in the Group A rally.
This model's success in the racing series wasn't record-setting, with the best finish being 5th place in the 19990 Tour De Course Rally. Seven prototypes were sent to the United States for testing and evaluation. Still, Volkswagen decided that the Rallye Golf was too expensive for the United States and, ultimately, the model would not be sold here.
The Ultra-Rare Golf G60 Limited
Volkswagen Golf G60_Limited2
Engine | 1.8-liter, supercharged, inline-four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 210 hp |
Torque | 186 lb-ft |
0-62 | 6.4 seconds |
Top speed | 140 mph |
After the debut of the Volkswagen Rallye Golf, the German automaker would introduce a new limited-edition run of the Mk2 Golf that was based on the Rallye Golf. It was what the Golf R is today, featuring a laundry list of amenities like a leather interior, electric windows, power steering, and a sunroof.
Orange 2001 VW W12 Coupe nose view
The 12-Cylinder Volkswagen That Drove At 200 MPH For 24 Hours Straight
When testing its new top-of-the-line engine in the late 1990s, Volkswagen pulled out all the stops. It was even strapped into a concept supercar.
It was produced by Volkswagen's motorsport division, which produced only 71 examples of the attractive and highly capable Golf. Performance-improving hardware included a sporty transmission paired with the supercharged G60 engine. Like the Rallye Golf, the Golf Limited featured the automaker's Synchro all-wheel-drive system. Although three-door versions were produced, Volkswagen built the Golf Limited on the stronger five-door chassis. Visually, the model was distinguished from the Rallye Golf by its BBS RM012 15-inch wheels, a US-spec bumper, a black grille, tinted Hella taillights, and black VW badging.
The 71 examples of the Golf Limited were initially sold to Volkswagen's executives and management, but a few have made their way to the used market. It was the most powerful rendition of the VW Golf moniker until the Volkswagen Mk4 R32 debuted.
