The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 is a medium-sized compactfamily car. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk2, which was produced by Volkswagen from August 1991 (for the 1992 model year) to 2002 (for Cabrio convertible).
The Golf Mk3 was launched in mainland Europe in August 1991,[2] in the United Kingdom in February 1992,[3] and in North America in the spring of 1994. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and A3 Jetta's) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America to reject Golfs and Jetta's from Mexico. Thereafter, labor unrest at the plant delayed production. The third-generation Golf and Jetta first launched 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.
Like the previoustwo generations, the Mk3 was supposed to be built at the TAS factory in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, when the car was first released, the Yugoslav War broke out, leading to the destruction of the factory. Due to this, TAS went bankrupt in 1995. This meant the Mk3 was the only Golf before the Mk4 not to be built in Bosnia and Herzegovina, although a single Mk3 managed to roll off the assembly line in Sarajevo, its fate unknown.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 got replaced with the October 1997 (1998 model year) by the introduction of the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. In some markets, the Mk3 Golf continued to be available for the 1998 model year (Americas, South Africa), and even as early 1999 model year vehicles (Canada, Mexico, US).
Body styles
Golf Variant
As for previous generations, the Golf was available as a three- or five-door hatchback. For the first time an estate was produced, being launched in early 1993, and bringing it into line with key competitors such as the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra, which had all long been available as estates. The name of three-box sedan (now only with four doors) changed to Vento, in an attempt to improve the Jetta's stodgy image in Europe. In North America, where the Jetta had no such problems, the old nameplate remained.[4]
In some markets, where the tax structure suited such a model, Volkswagen also offered a light commercial Van version of the three-door hatchback. Typically fitted with a flat plywood floor in the rear and often with blanked rear side windows, precise specifications varied for different markets to meet various local requirements for being classified as a commercial vehicle. In the United Kingdom, the Van was available only with the Umwelt ("Environment") engine, blanked rear windows, fabric interior, power steering, and a five-speed manual transmission. A petrol unit was available to special order.[5] The Umwelt diesel was Volkswagen's then-new 1.9-liter turbodiesel (AAZ), fitted with a catalytic converter and producing 75PS (55kW). Payload is 510kg (1,124lb).[6]
Cabriolet
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Cabrio (or Type 1E) was introduced in 1994 for the 1995 model year, replacing the previous MK1 Rabbit based Cabriolet. It was facelifted in 1998 (mid-1999 for non-euro markets) with the front, rear, and steering wheel styling inspired by the Golf Mk4 while still maintaining the body from the Mk3 Cabrio. These Cabrio's are often referred to as the Mk3.5 Cabrio's. The Volkswagen Golf Cabrio was discontinued in 2002 with a special edition called "Last Edition".
Golf Mk3 Cabrio
Golf Mk3.5 (Mk4) Cabrio
Performance models
Rear view
GTD
The Golf GTD is the diesel-powered variant of the high-performance GTI version.
A59
The Golf A59 prototype in the Volkswagen Museum
The cancelled Golf A59 was intended to be a 4WD model with a 275hp (205kW) turbocharged 1998cc engine, carbon fiber and Kevlar shell, and a full roll cage, and have the highest performance of the Mk3 Golf models.[7] The A59 was also supposed to be able to win the World Rally Championshipin 1994.[8] The prototype can be seen at the Volkswagen Museum.[9]
A 16-valve version of the third-generation Golf GTI was introduced in 1993. The engine was enlarged to 2.0L, with power now reaching 150PS (110kW; 148hp). While lower powered than the VR6, it was still relatively popular with driving enthusiasts in Europe, because it offered ample power without the thirst or tax burden of the six-cylinder. As with previous versions, the Golf Driver acted as the official GTI-look-alike in the United Kingdom.[10] Similar to the continental market Golf GT, it looked sporting but was fitted with a single-point injected 1.8L engine.
Volkswagen Cabrio
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 90PS (66kW; 89hp) Golf TDI in 1993.
From its launch, all versions of the Golf came with fuel injection, to meet EEC requirements that all new cars sold in member countries from January 1993 must come with fuel injection or a catalytic converter. Non-catalyzed models were also built for those markets where there was no interest in them; power outputs were the same as for the catalyzed models.[11] An all-new 1.4 petrol engine was the entry-level model in the MK3 Golf range.
Also offered was a naturally aspirated version of the 1.9-liter diesel engine, the SDI, offering 47kW (64PS; 63hp).
Airbags were first offered on the Golf in 1992, and from 1996 anti-lock brakes were standard across the range.
The Golf Mk3 was also available in "Ecomatic" form. It was powered with a diesel engine and a clutch-less 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. Restarting the engine simply required depressing the accelerator pedal.[12] VW had previously pioneered similar technology in the VW Polo "Formel E" in the 1980s.
Golf Mk3 Driver interior
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.
Golf CitySTROMer
Battery pack under the hood of the electric Golf CitySTROMer.
There was also a limited production run of around 250 "CitySTROMer" vehicles, mainly sold to the German market, which were fully electric vehicles, incorporating six lead-acid batteries in the engine bay, and a further 10 underneath the luggage area. It had a range of approximately 50km (31mi). The vehicle could be filled with a small amount of diesel to provide heat for the cabin.[13][14]
Volkswagen manufactured a limited run of 1,000 special-edition GTI Anniversary models, available in both 3-door and 5-door configurations, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the GTI model.[15]
The models in question featured the standard GTI specifications but included distinctive elements such as checkered Recaro front sport seats and matching rear seats adorned with the GTI logo. Notable interior details comprised red seat belts for both front and rear seats, a half-chromed and leather golf ball gear knob, and a steering wheel and handbrake gaiter crafted from red-stitched leather. The handbrake's release knob was also finished in red, while the instrument dials were rendered in silver. Floor mats were designed with red piping along their edges.
Externally, the red theme was further emphasized with red striping on the bumpers and red brake calipers. The vehicles were equipped with 16" x 7" split rim BBS RS 722 alloy wheels, which bore a resemblance to the 15" wheels found on the VR6 model.[16] The exhaust system featured brushed stainless steel rear twin tailpipes, and the front fog and indicator lamps were smoked to harmonize with the rear lamps.
Three optional extras were available: an electric sunroof, air conditioning, and metallic black paintwork. Insurance premiums were set based on the standard GTI, contributing to the desirability of this model. Production was limited to six color schemes, with a total output of 1,000 units, comprising 600 8-valve models, 150 16-valve models, and 250 TDI models. The diesel variant was exclusively produced for the European market and was not available in the UK.
Many of these models found their way into the UK company car and lease market before entering the second-hand market, and it is estimated that only a few hundred remain today. The rarity of the Mark 3 Golfs can be attributed in part to quality issues associated with the steel used by Volkswagen, which has been reported to lead to significant corrosion in components such as the floor pan, door sills, and rear hatch. Independent mechanics and MOT testers recommend thorough inspections for rust, holes, and patches in the floor pan for prospective buyers.
Otmar Alt
The Gold Otmar Alt was a limited edition model, with only 1,000 units produced. It showcased various artworks by the artist Otmar Alt and featured a fully customized interior adorned with matching graphics.
Rabbit
The Golf 3 Rabbit Edition was exclusive to Austria and featured a distinctive rabbit badge.
Cool
The Golf Cool was marked by a "Cool" sticker, similar to the Avenue edition, and included several minor design modifications.
CitySTROMer
Front view
The Golf CitySTROMer was an alternative electric powered version of the Golf 3, characterized by vibrant graphics displayed on its side panels.
Highline
As its name implies, the Golf Highline represented the premium, high-end variant of the Mk3 Golf. This edition featured a full leather interior, wood accents, and prominently displayed a "Highline" sticker on the trunk.
Coast
Badge
The Golf Coast was a limited edition exclusive to the Cabrio model, distinguished by the "Coast" graphic displayed on the trunk.
Sport
Badge
The Sport edition, true to its name, represented the sporty variant of the Golf 3. It prominently featured a "Sport Edition" sticker, highlighting its performance-oriented character.
Classic
The Golf Classic featured a distinctly retro design and included a "Classic Edition" silicone badge, enhancing its vintage appeal.
Limited
Similar to the "Edition" variant of the Golf 4 Variant, this model was equipped with a range of special features and included a "Limited Edition" graphic on the interior step, presented in a matching font.
GTI / VR6 Edition
Golf GTIGolf VR6
The GTI/VR6 Edition models were distinguished by their respective body kits and featured "GTI/VR6 Edition" badges on the sides. The GTI Edition additionally showcased a sticker on the rear quarter panel, designed to match the font used on the interior seats.
Kamei
The "Kamei Edition" was a limited edition model produced in collaboration with Kamei, an aftermarket body parts manufacturer based in Wolfsburg. This edition featured the complete Kamei body kit and included a distinctive "Kamei Edition" badge, positioned on the right side of the grille.
Ryder
The Ryder edition included several minor design modifications; however, it did not come equipped with a sunroof.
Driver's Edition GTI VR6 (North America)
The 1997 model year introduced the GTI Driver's Edition, available in two colors: Ginster Yellow and Jazz Blue. Distinctive features included red stitching on the steering wheel, a special shift knob designed with half aluminum and half leather, adorned with the GTI logo, and silver gauge faces. The vehicle was equipped with 15" seven-spoke alloy wheels manufactured by Speedline, complemented by red-painted brake calipers.[17]
Many of the features offered as extras in the Driver's Edition became standard on the 1998 GTI VR6, leading to some confusion regarding the distinctions between the two models. To verify whether a vehicle is a Driver's Edition, one can consult the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Henri Leconte
The Henri Leconte edition featured a leather interior with signed seats and included a distinctive sticker depicting a 3D ball breaking through the glass on the rear window.
Henri Lloyd Yachting
The Henri Lloyd Yachting edition, based on the GT model, included a special front lip, rear bumper extension, and a unique grille, along with a distinctive rear badge.
Driver
The Driver edition of the Golf 3, which was essentially a Golf 3, featuring the GTI body kit, complemented by "Orlando" alloy rims and a small trunk spoiler.
SE
Golf SE, sold only in the United Kingdom
Produced from 1996 to 1997 for the UK market, the SE featured a GTI body-kit, all round tinted glass, clear front indicator covers, twin headlamp lenses and GTI taillights, silver instrument cluster and Sport Räder alloy wheels.
Match
The Match edition was equipped with a SonyCD player, power steering, and six-spoke rims. It also featured distinctive "Match" graphics, including "///Match" written on the sides near the front wheel arch and above the guard rail, along with three colored lines—blue, red, and green—below the right taillight.
Match II
The Match II edition retained the "Match" theme, featuring "Match II" graphics represented by a metallic badge positioned beneath the "Golf" and "TDI" logos. Additionally, it included a custom interior with a distinctive fabric design.
Colour Concept
Badge
The Colour Concept edition was a highly limited release, produced in only five colors: Flash Red, Salsa Green, Yellow, Jazz Blue Pearl Effect, and Black Magic Pearl Effect, with only a few units of each color made. This edition featured a leather interior that matched the exterior color, complete with "Colour Concept" embossed on the front seats and a distinctive Colour Concept badge. It was equipped with 15-inch BBS Solitude alloy wheels, electric windows, central locking, and front seat heating. The Colour Concept was also available for the Cabriolet and Estate (Variant) versions of the Golf.
Family
The Family edition was essentially the standard Golf MK3, featuring only a custom sticker and a few minor differences.
Harlequin
Golf Harlequin, Ginster Yellow (after its 'base' color)
The Golf Harlequin model began with a group of four cars, each carrying a Design Series emblem, created by Volkswagen to display on the 1995 international auto show circuit.
Basing the design on an earlier Volkswagen Polo Harlequin special edition, the Golf Harlequins were created in four variations, by taking four solid color models and interchanging the easily detachable doors, hood, hatch, grill, fenders and bumper facias — after final production at the Puebla, Mexico assembly plant where all the Harlequins were manufactured.
The interchangement of colors — Tornado Red, Ginster Yellow, Chagall Blue, and Pistachio Green — was not random, but followed four defined assignments, with each pattern avoiding adjacent major panels sharing the same paint color.[18]
Chagall Blue, and Pistachio Green were otherwise unavailable as a Golf paint color choice in North America.
The resulting Harlequins were designated by their "base" color, the paint color of the welded panels comprising the core body — including the substructure, roof and C-pillar.[19]
Following a positive response to the original four Harlequins, Volkswagen marketed an additional 60 — followed by another 200.
In a series of follow up letters to various entities at Volkswagen, the total number of Harlequins is reported variously from 275 to 264, all offered solely for model year 1996, in the United States, Canada,[20] and Mexico — with most marketed in the United States.
Each Harlequin Golf featured a gray/black interior highlighting the four body colors. The special edition was available for an additional $150 over their stock counterparts.
TREK / K2 Editions
In 1997, a marketing collaboration with TREK was expanded to include the Golf Mk3, resulting in the TREK edition. This variant featured a roof bike carrier, a 21-speed purple TREK-Volkswagen branded mountain bike, and a TREK "Limited Edition" badge.
Also introduced in 1997 was the K2 edition, which came equipped with a ski/snowboard roof carrier, a K2 "Limited Edition" badge, and the option of either a pair of K2 El Camino skis or a K2 Juju snowboard.
Both the TREK and K2 editions included special Recaro-manufactured seats, 14-inch alloy wheels, tinted taillights, unique "TREK" or "K2" shift knobs, an optional moonroof, a roof-mounted antenna, and fog lights.[21]
Wolfsburg Edition
The Wolfsburg Edition of the Golf Mk3 was produced alongside the Wolfsburg Edition Jetta in the United States. This variant featured an enhanced white/tan dual-tone interior, smoked tail lamps, premium alloy wheels, remote entry, power windows and mirrors, and a tilt/slide sunroof as standard. The Wolfsburg Edition was exclusively 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 Floyd Edition (1994), the Golf Rolling Stones Edition (1995), and the Golf Bon Jovi Edition (1996).
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche slightly above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar.
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by the German car manufacturer Volkswagen since 1975. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, and estate variants throughout its production run. As of 2018, six separate generations of the Polo have been produced, usually identified by a "Series" or "Mark" number.
The Volkswagen Corrado is a compact four passenger (2+2), three door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive liftback coupe marketed by Volkswagen from 1988 until 1995, and manufactured by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.
The VR6 engine is a six-cylinder engine configuration developed by Volkswagen. The name VR6 comes from the combination of German words “Verkürzt” and “Reihenmotor” meaning “shortened inline engine”. It was developed specifically for transverse engine installations and FWD vehicles. The VR6 is a highly compact engine, thanks to the narrower angle of 10.5 to 15 degrees between cylinder banks, as opposed to the traditional V6 angles ranging from 45 to 90 degrees. The compact design is cheaper to manufacture, since only one cylinder head is required for all six cylinders, much like a traditional inline-6 engine.
The Volkswagen Vento is a subcompact car produced by the Volkswagen India and Volkswagen Russia subsidiaries of the German manufacturer Volkswagen since 2010. It is essentially a three-box Volkswagen Polo with a stretched wheelbase and has been developed especially for some markets. The car is sold under the Vento nameplate in India, Malaysia, Brunei and Mexico. In Thailand, South Africa, Argentina, Russia, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the Middle East, it is sold as the Volkswagen Polo Sedan. The name Vento means 'wind' in both Italian and Portuguese. It is also known as the Volkswagen Polo Notch in the Philippines.
Volkswagen Derby was the name first given by German automaker Volkswagen for the commercialization of the booted saloon (three-box) version of its Volkswagen Polo Mk1 supermini, between 1977 and 1981 in Europe. Later, the Derby name was used by the Mexican Volkswagen subsidiary for the Polo Classic Mk3 saloon on its domestic market in the mid-1990s.
The Volkswagen Polo Mk4 is the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Polo supermini car produced by the German manufacturer Volkswagen. It was marketed from early 2002 to 2010 in most countries except Argentina and the USA. It was manufactured in South Africa until 2017, it was sold as the Polo Vivo. The Mk4 replaced the Volkswagen Polo Mk3, while the Polo Vivo replaced the Citi Golf. In 2018 the Mk4 was replaced by the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 Polo Vivo. In Brazil, It was manufactured until 2014 with a second facelift called 9n4, It was replaced in 2017 by Volkswagen Polo Mk6.
The Volkswagen Polo Mk3 is the third generation of the Volkswagen Polo supermini car and was produced from 1994 until 2002, with a facelift at the end of 1999. It was available in hatchback, sedan and wagon body styles. Although the Polo Mk3 hatchback didn't share the same platform as the Seat Ibiza, saloon and estate models were rebadged as Seat Córdoba.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen, as the fifth generation of the Golf in three- or five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon (2007–2009) configurations, as well as the successor to the Golf Mk4. Using the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform, the Mk5 debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe for the 2004 model year. While marketed as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, the GTI model in these countries was marketed simply as the Volkswagen GTI.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 is a compact car, the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. Launched in October 1997 for the 1998 model year, it was the best selling car in Europe in 2001.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk2 is a hatchback, the second generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk1. It was Volkswagen's highest volume seller from 1983 and ended in (German) production in late 1992, to be replaced by the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. The Mk2 was larger than the Mk1; its wheelbase grew slightly, as did exterior dimensions. Weight was up accordingly by about 120 kg (260 lb). Exterior design, developed in-house by VW design director Schäfer, kept the general lines of its Giugiaro-designed predecessor, but was slightly more rounded. All told, about 6.3 million second-generation Golfs were built.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk1 is the first generation of a small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen. It was noteworthy for signalling Volkswagen's shift of its major car lines from rear-wheel drive and rear-mounted air-cooled engines to front-wheel drive with front-mounted, water-cooled engines that were often transversely-mounted.
FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between FAW Group and Volkswagen Group which manufactures Audi and Volkswagen marque passenger cars for sale in China. It was founded on 6 February 1991.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is a compact car and the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf. The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 is the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 and It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 for the 2009 model year. Volkswagen released pictures and information on August 6, 2008, prior to the official unveiling. The vehicle was released to the European market in the winter of 2008. Volkswagen claimed investments were made in production efficiency, with a claimed productivity improvement at launch of nearly 20% in comparison with the previous model, with further gains planned for the first twelve months of production. This model year was also a part of the Dieselgate scandal.
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 is the fifth generation of the Polo, a supermini-class car manufactured by Volkswagen since 2009. The vehicle unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March 2009, while the three-door version was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. A four-door long-wheelbase sedan version has been produced and sold outside Europe in several emerging markets since 2010 either as the Volkswagen Vento or the Volkswagen Polo sedan. A short-wheelbase sedan version was sold in India between 2016 and 2020 as the Volkswagen Ameo.
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The Volkswagen Jetta (A6) is a compact car, the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Jetta and the successor to the Jetta (A5). Known as the NCS during its development, it was released in 2010 and was phased out since 2018 to make way for the Jetta (A7). The A6 Jetta is notable for leaving the premium positioning in the compact car segment, a strategy employed by Volkswagen to increase volume in the North American market. It also marked the departure from being a sedan derivative of the Golf, opting for a dedicated bodywork instead.
The Volkswagen Jetta (A7) is a compact car, the seventh generation of the Volkswagen Jetta and the successor to the Volkswagen Jetta (A6). The 2018 Jetta debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, on 14 January 2018, after Volkswagen released an exterior design sketch in December 2017. The Jetta is based on Volkswagen's MQB platform, which underpins other Volkswagen vehicles including the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Atlas. The A7 Jetta marked the discontinuation of the nameplate in the European market and right-hand-drive markets.
The Volkswagen Bora is a small family car, the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Jetta, and the successor to the Volkswagen Vento. Production of the car began in July 1999. Carrying on the wind nomenclature from previous generations, the car was known as the Volkswagen Bora in much of the world. Bora is a winter wind that blows intermittently over the coast of the Adriatic Sea, as well as in parts of Greece, Russia, Turkey, and the Sliven region of Bulgaria. In North America and South Africa, the Volkswagen Jetta moniker was again kept on due to the continued popularity of the car in those markets.
References
↑ Christian Bangemann u. Beate Jeske (2008). Auto Motor und Sport Heft 18 Seite 24. Stuttgart.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
↑ "News Articles". Volkswagen UK. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
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