Volkswagen Golf (Germany, 1991-1998)

In 1991, the third-generation Golf was released – again, a tad bigger car than its previous generation model, except for its wheelbase which remained the same. The Mk3 Golf would win 1992’s Car of the Year election.
As new engines were available, particularly the first TDI diesel to be installed on a Golf (1993), Volkswagen made publicly clear that it was possible to increase power to a diesel engine while preserving its fuel efficiency. Direct-injection system was set on this Golf variant in 1993.
Also, another new and innovative engine would be presented by the Mk3 Golf – the 2.8L V6 (or VR6 in Volkswagen’s terminology). Regarded as the finest within the Mk3 variants and thanks to its 172hp, the VR6 would help the Golf reach a top speed of 138 mi/h (222 km/h). Later on, a 2.9L 188hp VR6 was available too.
Finally, after 13 years of existence, the Mk1 Golf convertible version was replaced by the Cabrio, i.e. the Mk3-based convertible.
Besides the usual Golf variants that already existed, the third generation also introduced the first station wagon version of the Golf, in 1993. The notchback version, launched in 1992, would be labeled as VW Vento.
The European tours of three prestigious and worldwide known rock bands – Pink Floyd (1994), Rolling Stones (1995) and Bon Jovi (1996) – would be sponsored by the Mk3 Golf as Volkswagen released special Golf editions, which had these bands’ names printed on them.
Plus, Volkswagen also produced a special “20th Birthday” edition of the Golf Mk3 in 1996. This special edition consisted of 1000 Golf GTIs that had a sportier body.
Mk3 Golf’s production would finally cease in 1999.

Petrol engines could range between the 1.4L and the 2.9L, with output forces respectively from 54 to 188 hp.
There was only the 1.9L diesel engine available, but its variants ranged amongst the D, SDI and TDI; diesel engines produced from 63 to 109 hp.
Third generation Golf’s transmissions were available in four-speed automatic, four-speed manual and five-speed manual versions, depending on the Golf variant chosen. Also, it was available in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive versions.

Platform The Mk3 Golf was based on an A3 platform.   Suspension (no data)   Steering (no data)   Brakes             (no data)

The standard Golf Mk3 was available as a three- or five-door hatchback, a 5-door station wagon and a 2-door convertible (Cabrio).
This time around, the three-door variants of the Golf were extremely rare, almost only available in the North American market as GTIs.