 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2018) |
| Volkswagen Golf Mk3 (1H/1E) | |
|---|---|
_CL_5-door_hatchback_03.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Production | 1991–1998 1994–2002 (convertible) 4.8 million units[1] |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Body style | 3 / 5-door hatchback 5-door estate 2-door convertible |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive / Syncro four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A3 platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Vento |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 4-speed / 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1991-95: 2,471 mm (97.3 in) 1996-99: 2,474 mm (97.4 in) |
| Length | 4,074 mm (160.4 in) |
| Width | 1,694 mm (66.7 in) |
| Height | 1991-95 & Cabrio: 1,422 mm (56.0 in) 1996-99: 1,428 mm (56.2 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen Golf Mk2 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Mk1 (Cabrio) |
| Successor | Volkswagen Golf Mk4 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible (Cabrio) |
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 is a medium-sized compact family car. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk2, which was produced by Volkswagen from August 1991 (for the 1992 model year) to 2002 (for Cabrio convertible).
The Golf Mk3 was launched in mainland Europe in August 1991,[2] in the United Kingdom in February 1992,[3] and in North America in the spring of 1994. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and A3 Jetta's) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America to reject Golfs and Jetta's from Mexico. Thereafter, labor unrest at the plant delayed production. The third-generation Golf and Jetta first launched in North America as 1993 models in the San Diego, California area and in Canada, then in the autumn in the rest of North America as 1994 models.
The Mk3 Cabrio replaced the Volkswagen Cabriolet. The Mk3 Cabrio continued until the 2002 model year, when Volkswagen replaced it with a convertible version of the Volkswagen New Beetle.[citation needed]
Like the previous two generations, the Mk3 was supposed to be built at the TAS factory in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, when the car was first released, the Yugoslav War broke out, leading to the destruction of the factory. Due to this, TAS went bankrupt in 1995. This meant the Mk3 was the only Golf before the Mk4 not to be built in Bosnia and Herzegovina, although a single Mk3 managed to roll off the assembly line in Sarajevo, its fate unknown.
The Mk3 Golf was sold in Japan alongside the Polo, where both vehicles complied with the small size class regulations that encouraged sales.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 got replaced with the October 1997 (1998 model year) by the introduction of the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. In some markets, the Mk3 Golf continued to be available for the 1998 model year (Americas, South Africa), and even as early 1999 model year vehicles (Canada, Mexico, US).
- ^ Christian Bangemann u. Beate Jeske (2008). Auto Motor und Sport Heft 18 Seite 24. Stuttgart.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "News Articles". Volkswagen UK. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ Crouch, Jonathan, Volkswagen Golf MK 2 & MK 3 (1984 - 1998) used car review, RAC Motoring Services, archived from the original on 20 May 2016, retrieved 13 May 2016