Volkswagen Gol: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Volkswagen Gol choice depends on whether you value the original car’s low kerb weight, the broader engine range of the second generation, or the automatic transmission offered by the third generation. The catalogue contains four generations from 1980–2012, including the second-generation restyling that continued through 2013. All listed cars use Gasoline engines and FWD.
The Volkswagen Gol choice depends on whether you value the original car’s low kerb weight, the broader engine range of the second generation, or the automatic transmission offered by the third generation. The catalogue contains four generations from 1980–2012, including the second-generation restyling that continued through 2013. All listed cars use Gasoline engines and FWD. The strongest version is the second-generation 2.0 MT with 116 hp and 165 Nm, while the third-generation 1.6 AT combines 110 hp and 158 Nm with the catalogue’s only 6-speed Automatic transmission. For a power-to-displacement comparison, the second-generation turbo 1.0 MT (110 hp) stands out at about 110.1 hp per litre.
Volkswagen Gol generations: what changed?
The first-generation Volkswagen Gol, listed for 1980–1994, is a Mini 3-doors with four versions. It offers 1.3 MT, two distinct 1.6 MT versions, and 1.8 MT. Outputs range from 41 hp to 89 hp. The 1.3 and both 1.6 versions use 4-speed Manual gearboxes, whereas the 1.8 has a 5-speed Manual. This is also the only generation with measured kerb weights in the supplied data: 890 kg for both 1.6 versions and 930 kg for the 1.8.
The second-generation Volkswagen Gol, listed for 1994–1999, remains a Mini 3-doors and has five versions. Its range comprises 1.0 MT (76 hp), 1.0 MT (110 hp), 1.6 MT, 1.8 MT, and 2.0 MT. Every version uses a 5-speed Manual gearbox. Compared with the first generation’s highest output of 89 hp, the 2.0 MT raises the maximum by 27 hp and increases maximum listed torque from 146 Nm to 165 Nm, a gain of 19 Nm.
The second-generation restyling belongs to the same generation and is listed for 1999–2013. It changes the body listing to Mini 5-doors while retaining five versions with the same names, engine capacities, outputs, torque figures, gearbox types, and drive layout shown for the 1994–1999 range. Its principal catalogue distinction is therefore the body: Mini 5-doors instead of Mini 3-doors.
The third-generation Volkswagen Gol, listed for 2008–2012, is a Mini 5-doors with four versions: 1.0 MT, 1.6 MT (101 hp), 1.6 MT (110 hp), and 1.6 AT. It narrows the engine range to 999 cc and 1600 cc, while adding the only Automatic option in the catalogue. The 1.6 AT has the same 110 hp and 158 Nm figures as the 110 hp 1.6 MT, so its distinguishing specification is its 6-speed Automatic gearbox rather than additional engine output.
Volkswagen Gol engine specs and version comparison
| Generation | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First, 1980–1994 | 1.3 MT | 41 hp | 81 Nm | 1285 cc | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First, 1980–1994 | 1.6 MT (54 hp) | 54 hp | 106 Nm | 1585 cc | Gasoline | 4, layout not measured | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First, 1980–1994 | 1.6 MT (73 hp) | 73 hp | 119 Nm | 1585 cc | Gasoline | 4, layout not measured | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First, 1980–1994 | 1.8 MT | 89 hp | 146 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, layout not measured | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 1994–1999 | 1.0 MT (76 hp) | 76 hp | not measured | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 1994–1999 | 1.0 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 155 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 1994–1999 | 1.6 MT | 101 hp | 135 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 1994–1999 | 1.8 MT | 90 hp | 142 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 1994–1999 | 2.0 MT | 116 hp | 165 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second restyling, 1999–2013 | 1.0 MT (76 hp) | 76 hp | not measured | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second restyling, 1999–2013 | 1.0 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 155 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second restyling, 1999–2013 | 1.6 MT | 101 hp | 135 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second restyling, 1999–2013 | 1.8 MT | 90 hp | 142 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second restyling, 1999–2013 | 2.0 MT | 116 hp | 165 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third, 2008–2012 | 1.0 MT | 72 hp | 95 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third, 2008–2012 | 1.6 MT (101 hp) | 101 hp | 154 Nm | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third, 2008–2012 | 1.6 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 158 Nm | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third, 2008–2012 | 1.6 AT | 110 hp | 158 Nm | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
The second-generation 1.0 MT (110 hp) produces about 110.1 hp per litre, compared with about 76.1 hp per litre for the 76 hp 1.0 MT. The difference is 34 hp despite both engines displacing 999 cc; the 110 hp version is the one explicitly listed with Turbo.
Within the third generation, moving from 1.0 MT to 1.6 MT (101 hp) adds 29 hp and 59 Nm. Moving onward to 1.6 MT (110 hp) adds another 9 hp and 4 Nm. The 1.6 AT does not add power or torque over the 110 hp 1.6 MT, but it changes the transmission from a 5-speed Manual to a 6-speed Automatic.
Volkswagen Gol performance and economy
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any listed Volkswagen Gol version. Top speed is measured only for the first-generation cars: 130 km/h for 1.3 MT, 138 km/h for 1.6 MT (54 hp), 156 km/h for 1.6 MT (73 hp), and 161 km/h for 1.8 MT. The first-generation 1.8 MT is therefore 31 km/h faster than the 1.3 MT according to the available figures.
Top speed is not measured for any second-generation, restyled second-generation, or third-generation version. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured for any version. CO2 output and environmental class are not measured throughout the catalogue. These omissions prevent a numerical mpg or economy ranking, so engine size and output should not be treated as substitutes for measured consumption.
Volkswagen Gol dimensions, weight and capacity
Exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed Volkswagen Gol, so length, width, height, and wheelbase comparisons cannot be made from the supplied data. Ground clearance, gross weight, and wheel sizes are likewise not measured for any version.
Kerb weight is measured for three first-generation versions. Both 1.6 MT (54 hp) and 1.6 MT (73 hp) weigh 890 kg, while 1.8 MT weighs 930 kg. That gives approximately 16.5 kg per horsepower for the 54 hp car, 12.2 kg per horsepower for the 73 hp car, and 10.4 kg per horsepower for the 89 hp 1.8 MT. The stronger 1.6 therefore supplies 19 additional horsepower with no measured weight increase. Kerb weight for 1.3 MT and every later-generation version is not measured.
Fuel-tank capacity is 46 litres for every first-generation version. Tank capacity is not measured for the second generation, its restyling, or the third generation.
Which Volkswagen Gol version should you choose?
Choose the first-generation 1.6 MT (73 hp) if the comparison is limited to versions with a measured 890 kg kerb weight. It offers 19 hp and 13 Nm more than the 54 hp 1.6 MT while retaining the same 1585 cc displacement, 890 kg kerb weight, 4-speed Manual transmission, 46-litre tank, and FWD. Its measured top speed is also 18 km/h higher.
Choose the first-generation 1.8 MT if you want the strongest measured performance within that generation. It delivers 89 hp and 146 Nm, reaches a measured 161 km/h, and uses a 5-speed Manual. Compared with the 73 hp 1.6 MT, it adds 16 hp and 27 Nm while adding 40 kg of measured kerb weight.
Choose the second-generation 1.0 MT (110 hp) when output per litre is the priority. Its 999 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine has Turbo, 110 hp, and 155 Nm. It produces only 6 hp less and 10 Nm less than the 1984 cc 2.0 MT despite having 985 cc less displacement.
Choose the second-generation 2.0 MT for the highest absolute output in the catalogue. It provides 116 hp and 165 Nm, exceeding the turbo 1.0 MT by 6 hp and 10 Nm. Both use 5-speed Manual gearboxes and FWD. Select the 1999–2013 restyled listing if you prefer the Mini 5-doors body; select the 1994–1999 listing if you prefer Mini 3-doors, as the recorded engine and transmission figures are otherwise the same.
Choose the third-generation 1.6 MT (101 hp) over its 1.0 MT when the additional 29 hp and 59 Nm matter more than the 601 cc increase in displacement. Choose the 1.6 MT (110 hp) when you want the strongest third-generation Manual, since it adds 9 hp and 4 Nm over the 101 hp version.
Finally, choose the third-generation 1.6 AT if an Automatic gearbox is the deciding factor. It matches the 1.6 MT (110 hp) at 110 hp, 158 Nm, and 1600 cc, while replacing the 5-speed Manual with a 6-speed Automatic. Because acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, kerb weight, and top speed are not measured for these two versions, no numerical claim can be made that either is faster, more economical, or lighter.