Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 2324cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V5's includes the

The Golf shares its Petrol V5 engine configuration with the likes of the 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 1284 kgs (2830 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2324cc 20V V5 engine produces 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V5 throws out 166 lb-ft (225.0 Nm) @ 3200 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 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (157.2 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 132.3 bhp per ton and 129.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Golf competing with the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (157.2 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Subaru BRZ 2L (157.2 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 129.2 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 1990 Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged (154.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Polo GTi 1.4 Turbo Supercharged (154.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.77 secs @ 86.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs), the 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (15.70 secs), and the 1991 Alpine A610 3.0 V6 (15.71 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Golf equals the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 (150 mph), or the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (150 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison