It is no longer the number of cylinders that distinguishes the Volkswagen Golf R with 320 hp today from the GTI. Thirty years ago, the top-of-the-range Golf 3 proclaimed its standing with panache by its six-cylinders and, at the same time, threw a stone in the pond of the BMW 3 Series e30 325i.
Today, compact sedans fight the penalty with three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engines, at best, between 1.0 l and 1.2 l. Thirty years ago, they did not care about this criterion. Volkswagen dared to slip a big six cylinder 2.8 l under the hood of its Golf 3.
The proof by six!
This block was not quite a traditional V6, conventionally open at 60 degrees. Called VR6, it was characterized by a closed angle of 15 degrees. A formula invented in 1915 by Lancia and which the Volkswagen group subsequently made its specialty by adopting on various models in its ranges, from the Passat W8 to the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron with a W16 engine.
In the facts, the cylinders are staggered to fit the shoehorn under the hood of the compact sedan, which was not expected. Narrow but strong, this block delivers a comfortable power of 174 hp for a torque value of 235 Nm. The car is approved for a top speed of 225 km / h and a 0 to 100 km / h in 7.6 s . Respectable performance at this level of the range. All with unparalleled flexibility and a broadcast anthology soundtrack via a double exhaust outlet. Without forgetting a neat comfort by means of gas rear shock absorbers.
Thus, after having invented the GTI in the mid-1970s, which revolutionized the world of small sports cars, Volkswagen completely redesigned its Golf in the early 1990s with this recipe targeting a more mature and wealthy clientele. A formula that will subsequently be the workhorse of the premium compact sedans Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. In 1991, with such attributes, the Golf 3 VR6 could without any complex target the BMW e30 325i strong with 170 hp. Unheard of for a general sedan.
VR6: a gentrified GTI?
Elegance and discretion are the hallmarks of this Volkswagen Golf VR6, which leaves it to the contemporary Golf GTIs – distilling only 115 hp in the 8-valve version and 150 hp for the 16S – to sport red piping and other tempting upholstery. the creed the most chic of the range, it is a luxury presentation with sober fender extensions encasing BBS rims, a black blade highlighting the front bumper and a spoiler of the same color at the top of the tailgate. On board, leather upholstery and relatively complete equipment justify the 149 950 francs claimed at the time for a three-door body.
And if you were then in charge of family, a version with five doors invoiced 155,950 francs stretched out its arms to you. What more ? All-wheel drive? This was done on the Golf VR6 Synchro. Not quite perfect, the VR6 showed a weight of 1,155 kg which today makes you smile compared to the 1,624 kg of a Golf 8 GTE carrying 150 kg of batteries. It drank its 10 l / 100 km, and its autonomy was considered modest because of a tank cut too short. But the melody of its engine quickly regained the upper hand and erased these few faults.
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