Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1984cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Golf shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Golf's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1275 kgs (2810 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 147 lb-ft (199.3 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Golf you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (142.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Golf.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf has a Power to weight ratio of 117.6 bhp per ton and 115.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Golf competing with the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (142.5 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 (142.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Golf generating around 115.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Alfa-Romeo Spider 3.2 V6 Q4 (140.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Audi A3 2.0T FSI S-Line (140.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.9 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI as fast as the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the or the 2001 Fiat Stilo Abarth 2.4 20v (8.60 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI is also faster than the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the and the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.41 secs @ 83.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs), the 2002 Jaguar S Type 4.2 V8 SE (16.34 secs), and the 1999 Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi 180 (16.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI has a maximum speed of 131mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Golf equals the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI then how about the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph), the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (142 mph), or the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (142 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison