The VW Mk2 Golf was introduced in 1983 in Europe (In the US 1985 as the Rabbit) as a direct replacement for the infamous Mk1. The second mark has a larger body, a more modern interior including a bigger dashboard and the addition of MFA and electric windows to mention a few. The new model came with new styling including arches and sill covers in addition there was a wide range of different body and engine options, ranging from a 5 door 1.4 model to the flaired arched Rallye with a 16V 1.8 supercharged engine.

The Mk2 came in a range of models from the 1.2 GL to the G60, the GTI was by far the most popular, even this model was available with either a DOHC 1.8 litre 16-valve or an 8V 1.8 engine. This car runs a Bosch fuel injection system the same as many other modern cars of that time e.g. Escort XR3i. As with all performance cars there is always a 'warm hatch' the Golf Driver. This was released 1988, it came with the GTI styling inside and out, which was basicallyt a twin headlamp grille, wheelarchs, the main difference was the 1.6  engine. The final years of production for the Driver meant it was treated to a carburetted 1781 cc engine.

 

However it seemed the GTi wasn't fast enough for all, therefore Volkswagen decided to produce a flagship Golf, The Rallye and G60 both basically the same, supercharged with either 2wd or 4wd options. The Rallye was a racing variant, it came with a racing interior, cloth or leather sports buckets, fabricated wide arches at the front and rear, rectangular headlamps with a smaller grille, streamlined bumpers with a unique style. Only 5000 were ever manufactured all left hand drive and hand built in Belgium between 1989 and 1990 to a preset rally specification. These cars were £20,000 when they were released, but for 20 grand you got All wheel drive, a supercharged 1800 double overhead cam engine with ABS braking discs all round and on 205 rubber.

The G60 was subtler version still same setup but much more tame looking it had a few tell tale signs it came with a wider version of the plastic GTI arch. The two cars also came with specialist wheels. There was also a handful of handmade limited edition each one these autos was engineered and tuned by an elite team at the Volkswagen Motorsport division. The car ran a supercharged 16V GTI DOHC engine combined with a sports gearbox and all wheel drive Synchro.

 

71 Limited edition Black Golf G60's exist all with four doors except two extremely rare three door models, these were fitted with a slimmer rectangle headlight grille & a blue surround (red symbolised a GTI) with motorsport logos, these two G60 autos were air conditioned, and came witha unique number and plaque.

 

One of these motors would have cost you £25,000, these Golfs were mainly sold to Volkswagen & Audi executives and other VAG management, these cars were capable of producing 212 bhp, the most powerful until the MKV Golf R32 was unleashed in 2003.

 

The new Mk2 Golf was even available in a diesel and turbo diesel engine options. The one that shot to fame was the Golf GTD, basically a diesel powered GTI.

Country

 

VW had all bases covered they released a model called the Golf Country, an off-road variant ideal for farmers. The Country cam with, four wheel drive , lengthened suspension travel, bullbars, skidplate with external spare wheel. In the EU the Golf Country came with either a 75 BHP 1.6 GTD engine or a 114 bhp 1.8 8v petrol. It was a common site in many Alpine regions around Europe.

Styling over time

 

The Mk2 Golf had facelift after facelift . The first major one was the addition "Big Bumpers" in 1989 onwards in European markets. A deeper and larger bumper, colour coded on the bottom and black at the top. The quarter panel window was also disposed of, making the glass one piece. The grill slats were also made larger and lessened after 1987. Other extras included power steering, electric windows, pop out rear windows, smoked indicators & lenses and Jetta lights were used in the US on the Rabbit.

 

The Golf GTI won Motor Trend's car of the year 1985, and was awarded VW Vortex's "Best Golf of all time".

 

However overall Mk2 failed to achieve its goal, this was to imitate the same presence of the Mk1, it had already lost its audience to the French Peugeot 205. However this hard should have never been made to attempt to replace the Mark1 , its a real car in its own right.

 

The 1987 British advertisement "Changes" starring Paula Hamilton, who happened to bear a striking resemblance to the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. It was supposed to strategise the shock tactic, it worked like a dream this combined with " If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen". This make the Mk2 Golf and overnight success.

The ad by Volkswagen shows a lady looking similar to Di leaving her house posting her wedding ring through her letter box ,ripping off her pearl necklace and throwing a mink coat then throwing her keys to at her cat awww, then she hovers over a drain with her Golf Mk2 keys, then decides no and gets in and drives off, then the slogan appears.pa friends -