
The Mark 1 Golf/Rabbit was created using many parts recently acquired with Auto Union, and used in the new Audis. These in turn came from development work Mercedes had done in adapting a small water-cooled four cylinder industrial motor for use in an updated DKW F102 (launched as the Audi F103 in 1965).
- 5.1 Golf GTI. 5.1.1 GTI special editions.
- 5.2 Golf Diesel.
- 5.3 Rabbit Pickup/VW Caddy.
- 5.4 Jetta.
- 5.5 Golf Cabriolet. 5.5.1 Cabriolet special editions.
- 5.6 Golf GTD.
What kind of engine does a VW Golf have?
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 .
When did the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 come out?
In May 1974,Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, hatchback replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. Like its predecessor the Volkswagen Beetle, the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 has proven to be influential.
What is the first generation of the Volkswagen Golf?
For an overview of all generations of the Golf, see Volkswagen Golf. The Volkswagen Golf Mk1 is the first generation of a small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen.
What kind of engine does a Mk1 GTI have?
In 2004, Sports Car International declared the Golf Mk1 GTI to be the 3rd best car of the 1980s. This special model was powered by a 1588 cc four-cylinder engine fed by a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which helped it develop a respectable 110 PS (80 kW) @ 6,100 rpms and 140 Nm (103 lbs-ft) of torque @ 5,000 rpm.

What car followed the Mk1 Golf?
The original Golf Mk1 was a front-engined, front-wheel drive replacement for the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle....Volkswagen GolfClassCompact car/small family car (C)ChronologyPredecessorVolkswagen Beetle (first generation only, until 1998)SuccessorVolkswagen ID.3 (for e-Golf)5 more rows
What engine do VW Golfs have?
The engine line-up for the front-wheel-drive Golf includes the usual blend of TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. The entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit produces 109bhp and is available with a slick six-speed manual gearbox, delivering 0-62mph in 10.2s and a 126mph top speed.
What engine is in a Mk1 Golf GTI?
1.6-litre 4cyl petrolRated 'Excellent' TrustpilotModel:Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1Engine:1.6-litre 4cyl petrolPower:108bhpTransmission:Four-speed manual, front-wheel drive0-62mph:9.1 secs2 more rows
Does an ABF Motor fit straight into Golf Mk1?
The mk1 engine mounts can be fitted to the abf. You may need to trim the cover a bit at the front (cambelt) side for the mounting to pass.
What's the best VW Golf engine?
The best of the Golf's petrol engines is the 1.5-litre TSI, delivering a fine blend of power and economy. It's genuinely impressive, with a keenness to rev that helps it to feel livelier than its fuel economy would suggest.
What does GTI stand for?
Grand Touring InjectionGTI stands for Grand Touring Injection. Volkswagen uses for its direct fuel injection system. Over 40 years ago, GTI technology was first deployed in the 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI. GTI was meant to power long-distance journeys without sacrificing performance by using a new direct fuel injection system.
How fast is Mk1?
Top speed is rated at over 198 mph (320 km/h) and Boba Kettler says the Golf is able to accelerate from 62 to 124 mph (100 - 200 km/h) in just five seconds.
Is the Mk1 Golf reliable?
First introduced to the local market in the mid-1980s, the Golf enjoyed overwhelming success in South Africa and won the hearts of many with its reliability, and overall affordability. Just about everyone has driven a Golf Mk1 in his or her lifetime.
What does Mk1 mean?
Mark I or Mark 1 often refers to the first version of a weapon or military vehicle, and is sometimes used in a similar fashion in civilian product development.
What is ABF engine?
ABF is an import VW motor. it was detuned and found in the golf 3 GTI overseas. the motor is easily capable of making more power than the VR6 , it was only sold at less power because the VR6 was the flagship golf 3. For those who are wondering what's the difference between the 2L 16V ABF and our local 2L 16V AAL.
Why is the golf called a rabbit?
In the US, however, the Mark 1 Golf was called the Rabbit, because it was meant to be small and nimble, and 'Golf" sounded too upscale for an economy car aimed at young buyers. Years later, they would also introduce the VW Fox, carrying on that theme.
When was the last Mk1 Golf made?
August 2009Volkswagen Citi GolfAlso calledVolkswagen Golf Mk1Production1984 – August 2009AssemblyUitenhage, South AfricaBody and chassis9 more rows
What engines do VW use?
Specific engines, engine series, regional enginesVolkswagen air-cooled engine.Wasserboxer.Volkswagen EA827 engine.Volkswagen D24 engine.Volkswagen D24T engine.Volkswagen D24TIC engine.G60.VR6 engine.More items...
Are VW 2.0 engines reliable?
The 2.0T TSI was a fairly reliable engine, but it does have a list of common problems. This article will outline the common VW engine problems and how to detect them. This engine uses direct injection to spray the fuel into the engine's cylinders.
What is a TSI engine VW?
TSI stands for “turbocharged stratified injection” and was inspired by the Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel and FSI direct fuel injection engines. The engine allows for higher torque at lower RPMs, which means more power with less fuel usage.
What cars have the 2.0 TFSI engine?
The 2.0 TFSI engine is generally offered in the medium to large vehicles in the Audi range, such as the A3, A4, A5 and A6. These cars are in direct competition with vehicles such as the Mercedes C & E Class and the BMW saloon range.
When was the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 made?
Like its predecessor the Volkswagen Beetle, the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 has proven to be influential. In continuous production since 1974 , the Golf was one of the first widely successful front-wheel drive hatchbacks.
When was the Golf GTI introduced?
In 1975 a sports-oriented variant of the Volkswagen Golf, called the Golf GTI was introduced in March of that year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The idea behind was rather straightforward - take a basic-transportation economy car and give it a high-performance package, making it practical and sporty.
What year did Volkswagen make the Citi Golf?
South Africa (Citi Golf) From 1984 to 2009, Volkswagen of South Africa manufactured two variants of the Mk1 Golf, the five-door Citi Golf and the Volkswagen Caddy pickup.
How many cars were made in 2009 Citi Golf?
The 2009 VW South Africa Citi Golf range consisted of four new models: Production of the Citi Golf ended on 2 November 2009, after 377,484 cars.
What was the Audi technology in the Golf?
The Audi technology in the Golf would regain for Volkswagen the engineering lead over rear drive cars that Ferdinand Porsche had bestowed on the original Beetle over its large conventional peers. The small Golf had to succeed in replacing the high volume Volkswagen sedan.
What was Volkswagen's goal in the 1970s?
Replacing the Beetle was a vital goal for Volkswagen's continued survival. By the early 1970s, the company had fallen into financial difficulties and Beetle sales began to decline sharply. Water-cooled, front-engine, rear-wheel drive small cars began enjoying customer loyalty. The solution arrived with Auto Union.
When was the first golf made?
The first Golf (VW internal designation Typ 17) began production in 1974, although it was marketed in the United States and Canada from 1975 to 1984 as the Volkswagen Rabbit and in Mexico as the Volkswagen Caribe. It was a water-cooled, front wheel drive design in a hatchback body style. It featured firmly sprung and damped, independent Macpherson strut front suspension and semi-independent Twist-beam rear suspension, that gave crisp handling and good roadholding, without being too uncomfortable. The Golf was Brazilan Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1976 and Irish Semperit Irish Car of the Year for 1978 and British What Car? magazine's Car of the Year for 1981.
When was the Golf Cabrio introduced?
Over time many other models came to be based on the original Golf platform. Cabrio (Typ 155) The Golf Cabrio was first presented to VW by Karmann in December 1976, it was essentially the same car we know now as the Golf Cabrio, but was lacking the trademark rollbar, there is some confusion as to when the first models were produced with some sources saying September '78 and others suggesting February '79, the car was first unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March '79. The cabrio was launched to the European market in July 1979, and followed onto the US market as a 1980 model year car, badged as a Rabbit Convertible.
Is VW Golf named after the game?
Despite popular belief, the Golf isn't named after the game, an understandable mistake to make when you think of the Polo, but is in fact named after a wind, the word being German for the Gulf stream, the rest of the VW range at the time followed suit with Scirocco, Jetta and Passat all sharing the same naming convention. Another common misconception is that the Beetle is VW's best selling model, again this is incorrect, with the Golf having achieved sales of over 25 million, by 2007, being the 3rd best selling car in the world.
What is a GTI MK1?
This identification guide for the Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1 includes both the 1.6l and 1.8l versions sold mainly throughout Europe and the UK up until December 1983. This guide does not cover special editions of the GTI such as the Campaign / Trophy Edition, the 16v Oettinger, GTI Cabriolet or export (U.S.) market GTIs. Those vehicles will be covered in separate guides. The Golf GTI is widely recognised as the first ever mass appeal “hot hatch”, and continues to attract the attention of enthusiasts and collectors, with prices steadily rising for good original examples, a trend which is expected to continue. The GTI is based on the standard Golf MK1 chassis, however, many modifications were adapted to improve the vehicle's performance and appeal throughout MK1 GTI production. It is important as a prospective buyer to have an understanding of those differences and features when looking to purchase a genuine vehicle.
How many digits are in a MK1 GTI engine number?
The MK1 GTI's engine number depends on the vehicle year, and is prefixed by either EG or DX, followed by a 6-digit unique number. The engine number prefix determines the engine size, and can be confirmed by checking the engine block itself, the vehicle's data plate in the engine bay and data label in the trunk.
Is the GTI a hot hatch?
The Golf GTI is widely recognised as the first ever mass appeal “hot hatch”, and continues to attract the attention of enthusiasts and collectors, with prices steadily rising for good original examples, a trend which is expected to continue.
Is the GTI based on the MK1?
The GTI is based on the standard Golf MK1 chassis, however , many modifications were adapted to improve the vehicle's performance and appeal throughout MK1 GTI production. It is important as a prospective buyer to have an understanding of those differences and features when looking to purchase a genuine vehicle.
What is a MK1 golf?
The MK1 Golf was a water-cooled, front-engined, front-wheel drive hatchback that set standards of design still used today, more than 40 years later. The Mark 1 Golf/Rabbit was created using many parts recently acquired with Auto Union, and used in the new Audis. These in turn came from development work Mercedes had done in adapting ...
When did VW make the rabbit pickup?
Because small pickup trucks from Toyota and Datsun were selling so well in America, the VW USA factory developed a extended wheelbase Rabbit Pickup in 1979, by cutting off the roof in the back and fitting a solid rear axle with leaf springs.
How fast is a Mark 1 GTI?
With a curb weight of just 1780 lbs, this was enough to give the Mark 1 GTI a top speed of 110 mph and a 0-60 time of 9 seconds – equal to a Corvette, Datsun 280ZX, or Mazda RX-7 in the early 1980s.
Why is the Mark 1 Golf called the Rabbit?
In the US, however, the Mark 1 Golf was called the Rabbit, because it was meant to be small and nimble, and 'Golf" sounded too upscale for an economy car aimed at young buyers. Years later, they would also introduce the VW Fox, carrying on that theme. The Rabbit stayed on the US market from 1974 to 1983, when it was finally replaced by ...
How many Mark 1s were sold in 2009?
By the end of production in South Africa in 2009, well over 6 million Mark 1’s had been sold, in hatchback, pickup, and cabriolet body styles. Much like the original Beetle, the Golf/Rabbit was intended as a practical small family car and the engine choice reflected this.
When was the rabbit convertible introduced?
There was a minor facelift in 1980, bringing larger rear lamps, new bumpers, better instruments and (in the US) square headlights. A Rabbit convertible, known later as the Cabriolet, was introduced in 1980 and sold until 1993, featuring a distinctive 'basket handle' for rollover protection and structural integrity.
Where did the name "Golf" come from?
According to some, the name ‘Golf’ comes from the German ‘Golfstrom’, or gulf stream, which fits with VW's use of ‘Scirocco’, the hot Mediterranean wind, and 'Jetta', German for jet stream.

History
Model History
- The first Golf (VW internal designation Typ 17) began production in 1974, although it was marketed in the United States and Canada from 1975 to 1984 as the Volkswagen Rabbit and in Mexico as the Volkswagen Caribe. It was a water-cooled, front wheel drive design in a hatchback body style. It featured firmly sprung and damped, independent Macpherson strut front suspensi…
Golf Cabriolet
- The convertible version, named the Golf Cabriolet (or Typ 155) in Europe and Canada ("Rabbit Convertible" in America originally and renamed in 1985 to "Cabriolet"), was sold from 1980 to 1993. It had a reinforced body, transverse roll bar, and a high level of trim, and kept the pre-1980 style of rear lamp clusters. The Mk1 Cabriolet is of unibody construction built entirely at the fact…
South Africa
- From 1984 to 2009, Volkswagen of South Africa manufactured two variants of the Mk1 Golf, the five-door Citi Golf and the Volkswagen Caddy pickup. On September 22, 2006 in order to celebrate the continued success of the Mk1 based Citi Golf in South Africa, Volkswagen SA announced the limited edition Citi R which is powered by a 90 kW (120 hp/123 PS)...
North America
- In 1978, Volkswagen began producing the North American "Rabbit" version of the Mk1 Golf at its Westmoreland plant. Former Chevrolet engineer James McLernon was chosen to run the factory, which was built to lower the cost of the Rabbit in North America by producing it locally. Unfortunately, McLernon tried to "Americanize" the Golf/Rabbit (Volkswagen executive Werner S…
Caribe
- The 1970s
The Golf MkI was introduced in Mexico as the Volkswagen Caribe in May 1977 as a 5 door hatchback. It came standard with a 4-speed manual gearbox and 1.1 50 HP and 1.6 liter 66 HP engine. The car was an instant success. As the 1978 model year lineup expanded with the 3-doo… - The 1980s
In 1980 the Caribe received rectangular headlamps as well as some new colours. In 1981 the Caribe changed to include many features from the American 1981 Rabbit (an alternate name for the Golf). In 1983 and 1984, due to the financial crisis in Mexico, the Normal version was renam…