Volkswagen Golf 2 against Golf 1

After nine years of production, a very popular VW Golf car in the world 1 was replaced on the market by another model. VW Golf 2 it combines the advantages characteristic of its predecessor with modern technology and design “keeping up with the times”. It incorporates the best achievements in the field of aerodynamics, driving comfort and fuel economy. As a result of these measures, the cx of the "new" Golf is 0,34, which puts it at the forefront of cars of this class in this respect (One - 0,34, Peugeot 205 — 0,35, Opel Corsa - 0,36). Golf 2 has a hatchback body (just like the cars mentioned) with the possibility of mounting several engine versions in it, driving the front wheels - already known from previous models of this car. Nine versions of six engines were in production. The Golf was produced with four types of equipment and a five-body body- or three-door.
Among the varieties, the Golf GTI with a powerful engine deserves special attention 82 kW, with enriched interior equipment and parameters of a good sports car.
Golf 2 compared to its predecessor, it has increased external dimensions, which significantly increase driving comfort and enlarge the cargo space. They also allow the use of a wider range of engines.
Body
Golf 2 has a classic body with a good coefficient of aerodynamic drag (cx with a value of 0,34) and the front surface 0,65 m2. This value for a car of this class is a worthy achievement, comments. This effect was obtained thanks to the consistent implementation of assumptions related to the necessary design changes, styling and technological requirements.
The front part of the car was modified with a new radiator grille, front spoiler made of plastic and fenders. All joints of the side windows with the body as well as the molding of the sills and the chassis have also been remodeled.
Aiming to increase driving comfort, Golf 2 - generally speaking - is a car larger than its predecessor. It has increased: – total length o 170 mm, total width o 55 mm, total height o 5 mm, wheelbase o 71 mm, front wheel track o 23 mm, rear wheel track o 50 mm.

The changes in the shape of the body were limited to raising the rear section, a greater inclination of the windscreen and a more streamlined form of the front part. The main advantage of the Golf 2 it is surprisingly large, for a car of this size, capacity of the passenger compartment and luggage compartment. Its capacity, compared to the previous version increased by 30% — do 336 dm3. It is also possible to enlarge the luggage space by placing the rear seat: całego lub też jego części otrzymując maksymalną pojemność do 1170 dm3!

The fuel tank has also changed: steel with a capacity 40 dm8 has been replaced with a new one, of a capacity 55 dm3 made of plastics. A new tank with a rather interesting shape, designed this way, to make as much use of the unbuilt space around the spare wheel as possible.

A novelty in this class of cars is the use of a "replacement" spare wheel. Aiming to maximize the use of luggage space and reduce the weight of additional equipment, the designers decided to use a spare wheel much smaller than the normal one- width circles. It allows you to continue driving on not too long stretches of road.

The designers managed to significantly increase the comfort of driving by modifying, among others, the mounting of the engine and drive system (additional indirect damping elements). The use of new stunning materials, revised suspension system, improved aerodynamics and the installation of a new main silencer made it possible to reduce the noise level inside the car by 3-5 dB(A).

The combined air ventilation and heating system was reconstructed and strengthened. O 8% heating power increased and by 15% fan performance. The new air supply system ensures effective ventilation of the interior of the vehicle and completely prevents the window fogging process. The supply of warm or cold air to the interior and its distribution are controlled by a lever in one of four positions.

An interesting element of the car's interior are shaped front seats (as well as the solution of the dashboard) meeting the requirements of ergonomics, enabling a comfortable ride even on long journeys. All indicators are clock type, and the speed indicator was placed centrally, thus making it easier for the driver to read the speedometer indications.

Drive system
In VW Golf cars 1 i 2 ZI and ZS engines in the basic and Turbo versions were installed. An interesting solution was the ZI engine with a displacement 1272 cm3 and maximum power 40 kW. It has a compression ratio 9,5 and runs on low-octane gasoline. The camshaft is located in the head and driven by a toothed belt.

In the design of all engines, cylinder heads and blocks are cast from aluminum alloys. The camshafts are located in the heads and driven by toothed belts. In all engines, the crankshaft is supported by five main bearings.

Driving system
VW Golf 2 has classic, in this type and this class of cars, suspension. Front wheels are mounted to the body via lower wishbones and Mac-Pherson struts with spring rates depending on the version from 15,3 do 21 N/mm2. The whole suspension is attached to the front frame, enabling easier assembly and repair. The control arms cooperate with each other by means of a stabilizing bar located behind the front frame. The driveshafts are located in front of the frame under the columns.
The steering system uses a rack gear with a compact and simple structure and a safe broken steering column with two universal joints.
The independent rear suspension is formed by a V-shaped torsion beam, with two MacPherson struts attached to its ends. Axle - the beam is attached to the body by means of joints equipped with vibration compensators. The high springs only slightly reduce the luggage compartment space, because they are deeply integrated into the side walls of the trunk. The advantage of this suspension is low unsprung mass and increased resistance of the rear wheels to drift. The disadvantage, however, is the high concentration of stress at the point of connection of the torsion beam with the "rocker" and with the element fixing it to the body (additional reinforcement).

On all models, except GTI, disc brakes were used in the front wheels, in the rear, drum brakes (in the GTI in the rear wheels - disc brakes). They are controlled by a dual-circuit braking system equipped with a brake corrector for the rear wheels.