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Volkswagen Golf Mk3
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The third-generation Volkswagen Golf Mk3 was launched in Europe in November 1991 although it did not appear in North America until the spring of 1993. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen's decision to supply Canadian and U.S. dealerships with Mk3 Golfs (and Mk3 Jettas) from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. Quality control problems led Volkswagen of America to reject Golfs and Jettas from Mexico; shortly thereafter, labor unrest at the plant delayed production there even further. The third-generation Golf and Jetta finally made it to North America, first 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, which continued the original Golf until 1993, although the original Golf, sold as Rabbit in Canada and the United States ceased sales in 1984. The Mk3 Cabrio continued until the 2002 model year when Volkswagen replaced it with a convertible version of the Volkswagen New Beetle.
The 1993 through 1995 Golfs were called "Golf III" in the United States to make it clear that they were different from the previous generation. The second-generation Golfs had increased insurance premiums due in part to stereo systems that could easily be stolen and the third-generation models were meant to correct that situation. Once the badge distinction was no longer necessary for insurance purposes the Mk3 Golf lost its Roman numerals suffix for 1996. Three-door Golfs of this generation were mostly only available in North America in GTI form. For the first time an estate was produced bringing it into line with key competitors such as the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra which had long been available as estates. The GTI variants (especially with the straight-four 4 cylinder engine) are considered to be the poorest of the performance Golfs with significantly increased weight but with minimal power increases. A VR6 variant exists which was available in a well regarded "Highline" trim; this 2.8 L VR6 engine gave a significant boost in power to 128 kW/172 hp for the Mk3 a car weighing about 1285 kg . Compare that to the Mk2 GTI that weighed 285 kg less but had only 102 kW/137 hp and a much smaller engine to tune (1.8 L). A convertible version of the Golf Mk 3 was launched as the Cabrio (Typ 1E). The VR6 offered a top speed of 240 km/h — almost unbeatable on any hatchback of this size available in the early 1990s, outperforming even the Ford Escort RS2000, Rover 220 GTi and Vauxhall Astra GSi. Variant The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Variant was introduced in 1993 and was succeeded in 1999 by the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 Variant and Bora Variant. There was no Variant based on the Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs. Cabriolet The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Cabrio (or Typ 1E) was introduced in 1993. It was facelifted in late 1999 with the front, rear, and steering wheel styling from the Golf Mk4 while still maintaining the body from the Mk3 Cabrio. These Cabrios are often referred to as the Mk3.5 Cabrios. The Volkswagen Golf Cabrio was discontinued in 2002.
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