Volkswagen Bora

Volkswagen Bora: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Volkswagen Bora rather than reading a model history, the decision is inside one generation: 1 generation, Estate 5-door, on sale from 1998-08-01 to 2005-01-31. The generation card lists 68 versions; the spec cards supplied here cover 12 of them, all dated 1999-03-01 to 2005-01-31.

If you are choosing a Volkswagen Bora rather than reading a model history, the decision is inside one generation: 1 generation, Estate 5-door, on sale from 1998-08-01 to 2005-01-31. The generation card lists 68 versions; the spec cards supplied here cover 12 of them, all dated 1999-03-01 to 2005-01-31. There is no second generation in this catalogue, so nothing “changed in a later generation” — the spread is engine, gearbox, and one AWD line. All twelve use Gasoline and 95 fuel, a 55 l tank, 130 mm ground clearance, Front, transverse engines, Independent, spring front suspension, Semi-independent, spring rear suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. Wheel size, CO2 and eco class are not measured on every card. The short answer: buy 1.6 MT 105 hp if you want the lightest, thriftiest everyday wagon; 1.6 MT 110 hp if mixed consumption is the priority; 1.8 MT 150 hp if you want turbo torque without the 2.3 litre’s fuel bill; 1.8 MT 180 hp if 0–100 km/h and top speed come first; 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD only if you need AWD, because it is the slowest and heaviest 2.0.

Which Volkswagen Bora version to buy

Power in this set runs from 100 hp (1.6 AT 100 hp, 1.6 MT 100 hp) to 180 hp (1.8 MT 180 hp). That is an 80 hp gap, or 80% more peak power at the top. 0–100 km/h runs from 8.3 s (1.8 MT 180 hp) to 13.7 s (both 1.6 AT cards). Top speed runs from 185 km/h (1.6 AT) to 228 km/h (1.8 MT 180 hp). Mixed consumption runs from 6.0 l/100 km (1.6 MT 110 hp) to 9.1 l/100 km (2.0 AT 115 hp). Kerb weight runs from 1227 kg (1.6 MT 105 hp) to 1495 kg (1.8 MT 180 hp). Drive is FWD on eleven cards and AWD on one: 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD.

There is no price field in the data, so “what extra displacement buys” is read from kilograms, seconds and litres, not from money.

Specs: engines compared (hp per litre, weight per hp)

Cylinders and layout are taken from the cards: eleven versions are 4 Inline; 2.3 MT 150 hp is 5 V-shaped.

Specific output (hp ÷ litres): 1.8 MT 180 hp is 180 / 1.781 ≈ 101 hp/l. 1.8 MT 150 hp and 1.8 AT 150 hp are 150 / 1.781 ≈ 84 hp/l. 1.6 MT 110 hp is 110 / 1.598 ≈ 69 hp/l. 1.6 MT 105 hp ≈ 66 hp/l. 1.6 AT 102 hp ≈ 64 hp/l. 1.6 AT 100 hp and 1.6 MT 100 hp ≈ 63 hp/l. 2.3 MT 150 hp is 150 / 2.324 ≈ 65 hp/l — almost the same specific output as the 1.6 naturally aspirated fours, despite 726 cc more than the 1598 cc 1.6 MT 110 hp. 2.0 MT FWD and 2.0 AT are 115 / 1.984 ≈ 58 hp/l, the lowest in the set; 2.0 MT AWD is the same 115 hp over 1984 cc.

Kerb kilograms per horsepower: 1.8 MT 180 hp is 1495 / 180 ≈ 8.3 kg/hp (best). 1.8 MT 150 hp, 1.8 AT 150 hp and 2.3 MT 150 hp all sit at 1360 / 150 ≈ 9.1 kg/hp. 2.0 AT 1292 / 115 ≈ 11.2 kg/hp; 2.0 MT FWD 1295 / 115 ≈ 11.3 kg/hp. 1.6 MT 105 hp 1227 / 105 ≈ 11.7 kg/hp; 1.6 MT 110 hp 1290 / 110 ≈ 11.7 kg/hp. 1.6 AT 102 hp 1290 / 102 ≈ 12.6 kg/hp. 1.6 MT 100 hp 1230 / 100 = 12.3 kg/hp. 2.0 MT AWD 1430 / 115 ≈ 12.4 kg/hp. 1.6 AT 100 hp 1290 / 100 = 12.9 kg/hp (worst). Turbo 1.8 therefore buys a much better mass-to-power ratio than stretching displacement to 2.3; AWD on 2.0 MT puts that 115 hp wagon next to the weakest 1.6 automatics on this ratio.

Compression: 1.6 MT 110 hp Direct injection (direct) is 12; 1.6 MT 105 hp is 11; 1.6 AT 102 hp is 10.5; the 1595 cc pair and both 2.0 FWD/AT cards are 10; both Turbo 1.8 cards and 1.8 MT 180 hp are 9.5. Bore × stroke differs inside the 1.6 name: 81 × 77.4 on 1595 cc, 76 × 86.9 on 1.6 MT 105 hp, 76.5 × 86.9 on 1.6 MT 110 hp.

Performance and mpg: Automatic vs Manual, FWD vs AWD

1.6 AT 100 hp and 1.6 AT 102 hp share 13.7 s to 100 km/h, 185 km/h, 11.9 / 6.5 / 8.5 l/100 km (city / highway / mixed). The 2 hp and 0.5 compression step on 1.6 AT 102 hp do not change the measured times or consumption on these cards. 1.6 MT 100 hp, same 1595 cc engine, is 1.8 s quicker (11.9 vs 13.7), 3 km/h faster (188 vs 185), 0.9 l/100 km lower mixed (7.6 vs 8.5), and 60 kg lighter (1230 vs 1290). The Automatic 4 costs 60 kg and 1.8 s versus the Manual 5 on this engine.

1.6 MT 105 hp versus 1.6 MT 100 hp: +5 hp, +3 Nm, 11.5 vs 11.9 s (−0.4 s), 192 vs 188 km/h, mixed 6.5 vs 7.6 (−1.1 l/100 km), city 9.4 vs 10.6, kerb 1227 vs 1230 kg. It is the lightest Bora in the set (1227 kg) and the cheapest-running 1.6 that is not the direct-injection card.

1.6 MT 110 hp versus 1.6 MT 105 hp: +5 hp, +7 Nm, Direct injection (direct) versus Distributed injection (multi-point), mixed 6.0 vs 6.5 (best mixed and city in the whole set: 8.1 city, 5.3 highway). 0–100 is 11.7 s, 0.2 s slower than the 105 hp card; top speed is 194 vs 192 km/h. Kerb jumps 63 kg (1290 vs 1227). You buy 0.5 l/100 km mixed and 2 km/h, and you give back 0.2 s and 63 kg.

2.0 MT 115 hp FWD versus 2.0 AT 115 hp: Manual 5 does 11.0 s and 195 km/h; Automatic 4 does 12.4 s (−1.4 s) and 192 km/h. Mixed 8.0 vs 9.1; city 11.0 vs 13.0. Kerb is almost identical (1295 vs 1292 kg). The 2.0 Automatic is the thirstiest card in the set at 9.1 mixed.

2.0 MT 115 hp AWD versus 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD: AWD adds 135 kg (1430 vs 1295), 1.0 s to 100 km/h (12.0 vs 11.0), loses 3 km/h (192 vs 195), and uses 0.2 l/100 km more mixed (8.2 vs 8.0). Peak is 84 kW vs 85 kW and 166 Nm @ 3200 vs 170 Nm @ 2400. Gross mass is the highest in the set at 1960 kg. AWD is the only non-FWD Bora here; the measured cost is mass and a second, not a large fuel jump.

1.8 MT 150 hp versus 1.8 AT 150 hp: same 150 hp, 210 Nm @ 1750, Turbo, 1360 kg, 216 km/h. Manual 5 is 9.2 s; Automatic 4 is 10.1 s (+0.9 s). Mixed is 7.4 Manual vs 7.1 Automatic — the Automatic is 0.3 l/100 km lower mixed on this pair, unlike the 1.6 and 2.0 automatics. City and highway are identical at 10.8 / 6.3.

1.8 MT 180 hp versus 1.8 MT 150 hp: +30 hp, +25 Nm, Manual 6 versus Manual 5, 8.3 vs 9.2 s (−0.9 s), 228 vs 216 km/h (+12), mixed 8.4 vs 7.4 (+1.0), kerb 1495 vs 1360 (+135 kg). It is the fastest Bora (8.3 s, 228 km/h) and the heaviest (1495 kg). Payload (gross − kerb) shrinks to 1910 − 1495 = 415 kg, versus 510 kg on 1.8 MT 150 hp (1870 − 1360).

2.3 MT 150 hp versus 1.8 MT 150 hp: same 150 hp class, no Turbo vs Turbo. 2.3 MT is 0.2 s quicker (9.0 vs 9.2), same 216 km/h, Manual 6 vs Manual 5, mixed 9.0 vs 7.4 (+1.6 l/100 km), city 13.0 vs 10.8. Torque 205 @ 3200 versus 210 @ 1750 — the Turbo makes peak torque 1450 rpm earlier. Displacement is 2324 vs 1781 cc (+543 cc) for the same 150 hp. 2.3 MT does not buy a clear performance win over the 1.8 Turbo 150; it buys a 5 V-shaped layout and a sixth gear, and it spends more fuel.

Versus 1.8 MT 180 hp, 2.3 MT 150 hp is 1.7 s slower (9.0 vs 8.3), 12 km/h slower (216 vs 228), and 0.6 l/100 km thirstier mixed (9.0 vs 8.4), while 135 kg lighter (1360 vs 1495).

Dimensions and weight: what extra mass buys

Ground clearance is 130 mm on all twelve cards. Tank is 55 l on all twelve. Wheel size is not measured on all twelve. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured.

Kerb / gross / implied payload (gross − kerb):

• 1.6 MT 105 hp: 1227 / 1730 / 503 kg — lightest kerb, lowest gross.
• 1.6 MT 100 hp: 1230 / 1740 / 510 kg.
• 1.6 AT 100 hp, 1.6 AT 102 hp, 1.6 MT 110 hp: 1290 / 1840 / 550 kg — largest payload among the 1.6 group.
• 2.0 AT 115 hp: 1292 / 1800 / 508 kg.
• 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD: 1295 / 1800 / 505 kg.
• 1.8 MT 150 hp and 1.8 AT 150 hp: 1360 / 1870 / 510 kg.
• 2.3 MT 150 hp: 1360 / 1855 / 495 kg.
• 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD: 1430 / 1960 / 530 kg — heaviest gross, useful payload.
• 1.8 MT 180 hp: 1495 / 1910 / 415 kg — heaviest kerb, smallest payload.

If you load the wagon, 1.6 AT (either hp) and 1.6 MT 110 hp give 550 kg of payload; 1.8 MT 180 hp gives 415 kg, 135 kg less than the 150 hp 1.8. AWD raises gross to 1960 kg, 100 kg above 1.8 MT 180 hp’s 1910 kg.

Range arithmetic on mixed figures and the 55 l tank (tank ÷ mixed, not a tested range): 1.6 MT 110 hp 55 / 6.0 ≈ 9.2 units of 100 km; 1.6 MT 105 hp 55 / 6.5 ≈ 8.5; 1.8 AT 150 hp 55 / 7.1 ≈ 7.7; 1.8 MT 150 hp 55 / 7.4 ≈ 7.4; 1.6 MT 100 hp 55 / 7.6 ≈ 7.2; 2.0 MT FWD 55 / 8.0 ≈ 6.9; 2.0 MT AWD 55 / 8.2 ≈ 6.7; 1.8 MT 180 hp 55 / 8.4 ≈ 6.5; 1.6 AT 55 / 8.5 ≈ 6.5; 2.3 MT 55 / 9.0 ≈ 6.1; 2.0 AT 55 / 9.1 ≈ 6.0. The 110 hp 1.6 therefore stretches the same 55 l tank about 50% further than 2.0 AT on mixed figures (9.2 vs 6.0 hundred-km units).

Reliability and problems: what the numbers actually separate

This dataset has no fault rates, so reliability is not measured here. What is measured is mechanical difference, and that is the only way to separate “which one is simpler” without inventing workshop lore.

Boost is No on every 1.6, both 2.0 FWD/AT, 2.0 MT AWD and 2.3 MT. Boost is Turbo only on 1.8 MT 150 hp, 1.8 AT 150 hp and 1.8 MT 180 hp. If you want to avoid Turbo, the 150 hp alternative is 2.3 MT, at +1.6 l/100 km mixed versus 1.8 MT 150 hp.

Injection is Direct injection (direct) on one card: 1.6 MT 110 hp. The other eleven use Distributed injection (multi-point). That 110 hp card is also the only compression-12 engine.

Gearbox: Automatic 4 appears on 1.6 AT 100 hp, 1.6 AT 102 hp, 1.8 AT 150 hp, 2.0 AT 115 hp. Manual 5 covers the remaining 1.6, 1.8 MT 150 hp, both 2.0 MT. Manual 6 is only 1.8 MT 180 hp and 2.3 MT 150 hp.

Identical names: treat 1.6 AT as two cars (100 hp vs 102 hp) that do not differ in 0–100, speed or consumption on these cards — only in 2 hp, 1 kW and compression 10 vs 10.5. Treat 1.6 MT as three cars (100 / 105 / 110 hp). Treat 1.8 MT as two cars (150 vs 180 hp). Treat 2.0 MT as two cars (115 hp FWD vs 115 hp AWD); do not order a 2.0 MT without checking drive.

Which version to choose

Daily economy, Manual, FWD. 1.6 MT 105 hp: lightest kerb (1227 kg), 11.5 s, 192 km/h, 6.5 mixed, 4 Inline, boost No. 1.6 MT 110 hp if mixed 6.0 and city 8.1 matter more than the extra 63 kg and 0.2 s. Skip 1.6 MT 100 hp unless you specifically want the 1595 cc 2-valve engine: it uses 1.1 l/100 km more mixed than the 105 hp card for 5 hp less.

Automatic. 1.8 AT 150 hp is the only Automatic that is both quick (10.1 s, 216 km/h) and not the thirstiest: mixed 7.1, Turbo, 210 Nm @ 1750. 1.6 AT 100 hp and 1.6 AT 102 hp are the slowest pair (13.7 s, 185 km/h, 8.5 mixed); they are the same on every performance and mpg line, so the 102 hp badge does not buy a measured gain. 2.0 AT 115 hp is the worst mixed figure (9.1) and 12.4 s — more engine, more fuel, still slower than every 1.8.

Performance. 1.8 MT 180 hp: 8.3 s, 228 km/h, 101 hp/l, 8.3 kg/hp, Manual 6. Cost in the data: +135 kg versus 1.8 MT 150 hp, mixed 8.4, payload 415 kg. If 9.2 s and 216 km/h are enough, 1.8 MT 150 hp keeps 510 kg payload and 7.4 mixed.

150 hp without Turbo. Only 2.3 MT 150 hp: 5 V-shaped, 9.0 s, 216 km/h, mixed 9.0, Manual 6. Versus Turbo 1.8 MT 150 hp you gain 0.2 s and a sixth gear and lose 1.6 l/100 km mixed.

AWD. Only 2.0 MT 115 hp AWD. Versus 2.0 MT 115 hp FWD: +135 kg, +1.0 s, −3 km/h, +0.2 mixed. Do not buy AWD for economy or for 0–100; buy it only for AWD.

Avoid if the goal is efficiency. 2.0 AT 115 hp (9.1 mixed, 13.0 city) and 2.3 MT 150 hp (9.0 mixed, 13.0 city). Avoid if the goal is pace: both 1.6 AT cards at 13.7 s.

One generation means the body, 130 mm clearance, 55 l tank and Estate 5-door package do not split the choice. The split is: 1.6 Manual for litres, 1.8 Turbo Manual for seconds, 1.8 Automatic if you will not shift, 2.0 AWD only when you need AWD, 2.3 only when you want 150 hp with boost No.