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VW Golf GTI Mk II - bigger, more comfortable, but also better?

Name: VW Golf GTI 1989
Brand: VW

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Created on July 26, 2017

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Volkswagen Archiv / Werk

Volkswagen

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Volkswagen Archiv / Werk

Volkswagen

Archiv

67 1

VW Golf II GTI (1989) - only slightly reduced dynamics compared to its predecessor

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - a powerful spoiler on the GTI

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - Twin headlights look sporty

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the slanted rear lights were a new design element

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the cw value was reduced from 0.4 to 0.34 in the second edition

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - practical side protection flanks

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - with tailgate, of course

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the trunk was also slightly larger

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the silhouette remains true to its predecessor

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the tailgate did not reach as far as the bumper

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the second generation of the Golf had become 17 cm longer

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - unmistakably a Golf, even in the second edition

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - agile and safe to drive

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - of course the second generation also understeered like all front-wheel drive cars

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - most people probably saw it from this perspective

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - still manageable despite 70 kg extra weight

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - rounds bends with low side inclination

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - pretty gray/black - the interior of the GTI

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - no leather steering wheel, at least it was foamed and pleasant to the touch

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - typical Golf, the GTI had Recaro seats with good seating comfort

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - lots of light inside, especially with the optional sunroof

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - clearly drawn instruments, the full light warning lamp is now blue again

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - high revs are possible, but not necessary

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - Center console with various unused switches

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - rear-view mirror adjustable from the inside

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - the golf ball as a gearshift naturally belongs in the GTI

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - fine plaid on the Recaro seats

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - 1.8-liter catalytic converter engine according to US standard 83 with 107 hp at 5250 rpm

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - matt black VW badge on the GTI

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - Twin headlights suit him

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - retrofitted aluminum wheels from Momo

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - standard rear wiper

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VW Golf II GTI (1989) - clearly marked at the rear

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VW Golf (1983) - the second generation on the drawing board

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VW Golf II (1983) - the new, more spacious generation builds on the success of the Golf I presented in 1974 - at the International Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt in 1983

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VW Golf GTI (1983) - during the press photo shoot

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VW Golf (1983) - the second generation is bigger, but also less sleek

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VW Golf GTI 16V (1986) - the performance boost was also noted on the Herk

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VW Golf Syncro (1985) - computer-controlled demonstration of four-wheel drive - IAA 1985

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VW Golf GL (1990) - the second generation of the Golf, now part of the VW collection

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VW Golf GL (1985) - the round headlights remained

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VW Golf GTI (1985) - 191 km/h fast and also with disc brakes on the rear axle

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VW Golf GTI (1986) - the fast version of the second Golf series

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VW Golf GTD (1984) - the diesel with the GTI look

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VW Golf GTI (1989) - still popular with buyers

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VW Golf GTI 16V (1986) - more valves and power for the GTI

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VW Golf GTI (1986) - Interior still with golf ball as gear knob

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VW Golf GTI G60 (1990) - the second generation, with G-Lader

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VW Golf (1985) - sixth place for Jochi Kleint in the 195 hp Golf on Pikes Peak 1985

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VW Golf Bi-Engine Prototype (1986) - Jochi Kleint at Pikes Peak

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VW Golf Syncro (1986) - with all-wheel drive

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VW Golf (1985) - Dashboard of the second generation

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VW Golf - Wittmann on his Golf at the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally

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VW Golf GTI - Eriksson jumps with his GTI at the 1987 Monte Carlo Rally

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VW Golf (1994) - three generations in comparison, in front the GTI of the third series, behind it the Mk2 and the original Golf

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Summary

The Golf II GTI didn't have it easy, after all, its predecessor had initiated a new vehicle class and its fan base was huge. But the successor could do almost everything better and it won over the trade press in all respects. But is this enough to make it as popular a classic as the first GTI? This report describes the second-generation VW Golf GTI and portrays it in many pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Presentation at the IAA 1983
From the start as a GTI
Still the same as before
A step ahead of the competition
Eight years of further development
Over thirty years later
Good manners
Comparison of the first and second Golf GTI generations
Further information

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

It's hard to believe that the second-generation VW Golf has long since become a classic car. Thanks to its long-term qualities, it is still seen comparatively often on the road, even as a GTI. When it was launched 34 years ago, many GTI fans feared that the dynamics of its predecessor would be a thing of the past - after all, the second-generation Golf had grown considerably. However, the "new one" performed well in contemporary tests. The Golf 1 , first presented in 1974 , had become the most important model series for Volkswagen. Six million units had been sold in around ten years. Accordingly, caution was exercised when it came to developing the successor. The public was forewarned, as the first unofficial snapshots were already making the rounds in 1982. The framework conditions for the second Golf, which was officially presented in Frankfurt in September 1983, were clear: the "new one" had to be more comfortable, offer more space and eliminate some of its predecessor's shortcomings.

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