Golf GTi (Germany, 1985)

The second generation of the Golf, along with its GTI version, debuted in 1983. This GTI generation was elected Car of the Year in 1985 by Motor Trend magazine, as well as the ‘best Golf of all times’ by VWVortex. On the North American market, the GTI was an independent model from the Golf, instead of a Golf variant.
However, it faced some strong competition from other makers and didn’t manage to live up to Mk1’s numbers in sales and fans.
The GTI Mk2 stopped being manufactured in Europe in 1991 and was only made for another year in the Mexican Volkswagen factory and sold in North America.

The Mk2 GTI standard engine was an 8-valve 1.8L, with an output force of 110hp. From 1986, a 16-valve 1.8L was also available, which produced up to 137hp.
Additionally, a 2.0L (8v or 16v) engined Golf was only made for the US and Canada.
The GTI Mk2 comes only in front-wheel drive system and has a five-speed gearbox

Platform The Golf GTI II is built on a Volkswagen A2 platform.   Suspension Independent suspension.   Steering Rack and pinion, power assisted steering   Brakes Power assisted disc brakes.

The GTI II comes in three and five-door hatchback options. This second version comes with a larger and rounder bodyshell than the previous one.
Interiors include a thick diameter leather-covered steering wheel, sports seats that are built to accommodate all kinds of body-types, a generously spacious back seat and alloy wheels.
This model experienced some style revisions from the late 80’s on, which included “big bumpers” as a standard feature, as well as only two square headlights instead of four rounded ones.

The Mk2 Golf won the Group A World Rally championship in 1986 – the same year Volkswagen accomplished 20 years on the racing circuits.