Which Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Version Should You Choose?
The Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia catalogue offers two distinct choices: a Cabrio generation produced from 1955 to 1974 with four versions, and a Coupe generation produced from 1961 to 1969 with two versions. The Cabrio provides the broadest engine range, from the 1.2 MT with 30 hp to the 1.6 MT with 50 hp. The Coupe starts higher, offering the 1.5 MT with 45 hp and the 1.6 MT with 51 hp.
The Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia catalogue offers two distinct choices: a Cabrio generation produced from 1955 to 1974 with four versions, and a Coupe generation produced from 1961 to 1969 with two versions. The Cabrio provides the broadest engine range, from the 1.2 MT with 30 hp to the 1.6 MT with 50 hp. The Coupe starts higher, offering the 1.5 MT with 45 hp and the 1.6 MT with 51 hp. For maximum listed power, the Coupe 1.6 MT is the leading version; for the highest listed top speed, the Cabrio 1.6 MT leads at 140 km/h.
Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia generations compared
The first generation is the Cabrio, listed from 1955 to 1974. Its four versions are 1.2 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT. Moving from the 1.2 MT to the 1.6 MT adds 20 hp and 30 Nm, while engine displacement rises by 392 cc. The listed top speed increases by 24 km/h, from 116 to 140 km/h. This generation therefore offers the clearest progression from a lower-output entry version to the fastest version in the catalogue.
The second generation is the Coupe, listed from 1961 to 1969. It has two versions: 1.5 MT and 1.6 MT. The 1.6 MT adds 6 hp over the 1.5 MT, while both produce 106 Nm. Its displacement is 91 cc greater and its listed top speed is only 1 km/h higher. The Coupe decision is consequently less about a large performance gap and more about choosing between two closely matched engines.
Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia engine specs
Every listed version uses Gasoline, a Carburetor, four cylinders in an Opposite layout, two valves per cylinder, and no boost. Every version also has a four-speed Manual gearbox and RWD.
| Generation and body | Version | Displacement | Power | Torque | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.2 MT | 1192 cc | 30 hp / 22 kW at 3700 rpm | 76 Nm at 2000 rpm | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.3 MT | 1285 cc | 40 hp / 29 kW at 4000 rpm | 92 Nm at 2000 rpm | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.5 MT | 1493 cc | 44 hp / 32 kW at 4000 rpm | 100 Nm at 2000 rpm | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.6 MT | 1584 cc | 50 hp / 37 kW at 4000 rpm | 106 Nm at 2800 rpm | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation, Coupe | 1.5 MT | 1493 cc | 45 hp / 34 kW at 3800 rpm | 106 Nm at 2000 rpm | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation, Coupe | 1.6 MT | 1584 cc | 51 hp / 37 kW at 4000 rpm | 106 Nm at 2800 rpm | Gasoline | 4, Opposite | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
Calculated from the listed displacement and power, the Cabrio 1.2 MT produces about 25.2 hp per litre. The Cabrio 1.3 MT rises to about 31.1 hp per litre, while the Cabrio 1.5 MT and 1.6 MT deliver about 29.5 and 31.6 hp per litre respectively. The Coupe 1.5 MT produces about 30.1 hp per litre, and the Coupe 1.6 MT reaches about 32.2 hp per litre, the highest figure among these versions.
The two 1.5 MT versions deserve close comparison because their displacement is identical at 1493 cc. The Coupe 1.5 MT has 45 hp and 106 Nm, exceeding the Cabrio 1.5 MT by 1 hp and 6 Nm. Maximum power also arrives 200 rpm earlier in the Coupe version, at 3800 rpm rather than 4000 rpm. Both reach peak torque at 2000 rpm.
The two 1.6 MT versions share 1584 cc, 37 kW, 106 Nm at 2800 rpm, and maximum power at 4000 rpm. The database nevertheless lists the Coupe at 51 hp and the Cabrio at 50 hp. Their calculated outputs are about 32.2 and 31.6 hp per litre respectively.
Performance, top speed, and MPG
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for every Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, combined fuel consumption, and CO₂ output are also not measured for every version, so an MPG comparison cannot be supported by the supplied figures.
| Generation and body | Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.2 MT | not measured | 116 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.3 MT | not measured | 128 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.5 MT | not measured | 136 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.6 MT | not measured | 140 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation, Coupe | 1.5 MT | not measured | 137 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation, Coupe | 1.6 MT | not measured | 138 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Within the Cabrio range, the largest top-speed gain occurs between the 1.2 MT and 1.3 MT: 12 km/h. The 1.5 MT adds another 8 km/h, while the 1.6 MT adds 4 km/h over the 1.5 MT.
The Coupe behaves differently. Its move from 1.5 MT to 1.6 MT brings 6 additional hp but just 1 km/h of additional listed top speed. Compared directly at 1493 cc, the Coupe 1.5 MT is 1 km/h faster than the Cabrio 1.5 MT. At 1584 cc, however, the Cabrio 1.6 MT is 2 km/h faster than the Coupe 1.6 MT despite having 1 hp less.
Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia dimensions and weight
Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. Length, width, height, and wheelbase are also not measured. As a result, weight per horsepower and dimensional comparisons between the Cabrio and Coupe cannot be calculated from this catalogue data.
The Cabrio’s fuel-tank capacity is not measured for the 1.2 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT. Both Coupe versions have a 40-litre fuel tank.
| Generation and body | Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.2 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.3 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.5 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation, Cabrio | 1.6 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation, Coupe | 1.5 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | 40 L | not measured |
| Second generation, Coupe | 1.6 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | 40 L | not measured |
Suspension, brakes, reliability, and problems
Every listed Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia has Independent, torsion front and rear suspension. The available data does not measure reliability, maintenance costs, recurring problems, or the results of engine swaps, so those considerations cannot be used to rank the versions.
The supplied braking specifications do identify a generation-level difference. Every Cabrio version has Drum front and Drum rear brakes. Both Coupe versions have Disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. Buyers comparing generations therefore have a documented mechanical distinction beyond body style and engine output: the Coupe changes the front brake type while retaining Drum rear brakes.
Compression ratio is listed as 6.6 for the Cabrio 1.2 MT and 7.3 for the Cabrio 1.3 MT, but it is not measured for the Cabrio 1.5 MT or Cabrio 1.6 MT. The Coupe records 7 for the 1.5 MT and 7.5 for the 1.6 MT. Bore and stroke are 77 × 64 for the Cabrio 1.2 MT, 77 × 69 for the Cabrio 1.3 MT, 83 × 69 for both 1.5 MT versions, and 85.5 × 69 for both 1.6 MT versions.
Which Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia version should you buy?
Choose the Cabrio 1.2 MT if the lowest listed output is acceptable: it provides 30 hp, 76 Nm, and a 116 km/h top speed. Choose the Cabrio 1.3 MT for the largest step between adjacent Cabrio versions; compared with the 1.2 MT, it adds 10 hp, 16 Nm, and 12 km/h while increasing displacement by 93 cc.
The Cabrio 1.5 MT is the middle choice, with 44 hp, 100 Nm, and a 136 km/h top speed. Moving to the Cabrio 1.6 MT adds 6 hp, 6 Nm, and 4 km/h for another 91 cc. That 1.6 MT is the choice for the highest recorded speed in the complete range: 140 km/h.
For Coupe buyers, the 1.5 MT is the more numerically efficient step to consider because its 45 hp, 106 Nm, and 137 km/h sit very close to the 1.6 MT’s 51 hp, 106 Nm, and 138 km/h. The 1.6 MT provides 6 more hp and the catalogue’s best power-per-litre result, but no additional torque and only 1 km/h more top speed.
Choose the Coupe 1.6 MT when maximum listed horsepower matters: its 51 hp is 1 hp above the Cabrio 1.6 MT and 21 hp above the Cabrio 1.2 MT. Choose the Cabrio 1.6 MT when maximum listed top speed matters. Choose either Coupe when a 40-litre tank and Disc front brakes are priorities supported by measured data. Price, market value, sale availability, fuel economy, dimensions, weight, acceleration, reliability, and ownership problems are not measured here, so none can responsibly decide the purchase from this dataset alone.