Volkswagen · 1997–2010

Volkswagen Golf Mk4

The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (or VW Type 1J) is a compact car, the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. Launched in October 1997 for the 1998 model year, it was the best-selling car in Europe in 2001 (though it slipped to second place, behind the Peugeot 206, in 2002). The Mk4 was a deliberate attempt to take the Volkswagen Golf series further upmarket with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels - a policy which Volkswagen began a year earlier with the Passat B5. This move however however placed the Golf in direct competition with its luxury branded stablemate - the Audi A3 - with some of the higher trim versions of the Golf actually being as expensive as the A3. It was replaced in late 2003 for the 2004 model year by the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 in European markets. However, manufacturing continued in South America and China for developing markets until 2014.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Volkswagen Golf Mk3 · Successor: Volkswagen Golf Mk5

All Volkswagen Golf data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Design and engineering

As with the larger Passat, launched a year earlier, the MK4 Golf helped form a part of Volkswagen's strategy of moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between mainstream economy cars and premium cars, with SEAT and Škoda, two other VW Group owned marques, poised to fill the gap below the new Golf. In fact, the quality of the Golf was comparable with the Audi A3, which was the first car based on this floor pan when it was launched a year earlier, but cost considerably more than most of its competitors. This generation of the Golf brought in the Haldex 4 Wheel Drive system, which was previously only available on Audi products. The system was used with the 1.9TDI Sport Engines, i.e. PD115 (then replaced by the PD130) and the PD150 Engines (Codes: AJM/ASZ/ARL) and with the VR6-powered models. This featured a totally revised rear axle and rear floor pan, which was shared with the Audi TT 8N. This went on to be used in the R32 model in 2003–2004. This version of the Golf was the only version to do away with the GTD nameplate—there were petrol and diesel versions of the GTI, which featured slightly lowered suspension, the 1.8T or the 1.9 TDI (PD 150) and premium interior features like Climatronic, full leather, and wood trims; however, it was not as sporty as the preceding generations of the GTI. As part of VW's move upmarket, the firm downplayed the sportiness of the hatchback in favour of comfort. The Mk4 GTI is looked down upon because of this, and VW restored the GTI's reputation as a sporting hatch with the 25th Anniversary Edition and the Mk5 Golf that followed it. It was also one of the first Golfs to come with xenon headlamps (optional) and rain-sensing wipers at the end of its manufacturing in Europe, and along with this, a full 12-year anti-corrosion warranty, wh

Models

=== Golf Cabriolet === As with the Mk2 Golf, Volkswagen did not make a convertible version of the Mk4 Golf. Instead, they facelifted the front bumper, grille, fenders, and hood of the Mk3 Golf Cabrio to resemble the styling of the Mk4 Golf (colloquially referred to as the Mk3.5). Changes to the rear included a redesigned trunk, which moved the number plate tub to a restyled rear bumper, in addition to a larger VW emblem more closely resembling the rear of a Mk4 Golf. VW incorporated other non-structural parts from the Mk4 as well, such as headlights, fender repeaters, side mirror caps, hatch handle, steering wheel airbag, etc. The interior remained largely similar to the Mk3 interior save for a Mk4 style three-spoke leather steering wheel, a textured dashboard (also known as "dimpled dash" or "shark skin dash"), heavily bolstered front seats with incorporated side airbags, and a chromed finish on several parts, such as the inner door handles, emergency brake button, door strikers, front seat-belt anchors, key lock cylinders, and shifter button in automatic transmission equipped cars. The instrument panel was updated with a relocated hazard light switch and blue and red backlighting, as found in the Mk4. Technical updates, beginning with the 2000 model, include the immobilizer and engine computer from the Mk4 Golf being retrofitted to the older Mk3 engine mechanicals. Variant. The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 Variant was introduced in 1999. It was discontinued in 2006, and succeeded in 2007 by the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 Variant. Unlike the Mk3, it was offered in North America with the "Jetta" name with corresponding front styling. The "Jetta Wagon" was used in North America instead of the "Bora" name. Volkswagen Bora/Jetta Mk4. Volkswagen produced a saloon version of the Mk4 Golf,

Special editions

=== GTI 25th Anniversary Edition (2001) / 337 Edition (2002) === The GTI 25th Anniversary Edition was a special version of the Golf GTI for the European market to commemorate the first GTI, launched in 1976. The 25th Anniversary edition was available in three paint colour options: Tornado Red, Reflex Silver & Diamond Black. The GTI 25th anniversary edition was equipped with many extra features not included in the standard GTI, which included: 18x7.5" BBS RC wheels with a special shot peened finish, a perforated leather steering wheel, shift boot, and handbrake, red accented seat belts, red and black upholstered Recaro seats, a body kit (front valance, side skirts, hatch spoiler, and rear valance), blackened headlights, a 02M 6-speed manual transmission, larger 312mm front brakes and 256mm vented rear brakes with red painted calipers, a lowered sport tuned suspension, and brushed aluminium interior trim. At the 2002 New York International Auto Show, VW announced the 25th Anniversary Edition would be sold in the US Market as the GTI 337 Edition, named for the early 1970s Golf/GTI codename. Available only in Reflex Silver, the 337 Edition was substantially the same as the European 25th Anniversary GTI, albeit without the black headlight trim. These models were never equipped with a sunroof to take the car back to its roots, the Mk1 GTI, and improve handling and performance. However, one instance of the 337 edition is known to have been specially ordered with a sunroof. This version of the GTI was only available in a 3-door configuration and was also available with the PD150 TDI engine, running the shortest ratio EFF 02M 6 speed manual gearbox. (Standard GTI TDI models had the PD150 engine with the ERF 02M gearbox, the mid-way point for ratio length). The UK versions of t

Golf R32 (2003)

In 2002, Volkswagen produced the Golf R32 in Europe as a 2003 model year. It was the world's first production car with a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) — available for the German market. Due to unexpected popularity, Volkswagen decided to sell the car in the United States and Australia for the 2004 model year Volkswagen R32. The R32 shared many mechanical components with the 3.2-litre Audi TT, including the 3,189 cc (3.2 L; 194.6 cu in) DOHC 24v VR6 engine (ID codes: BFH/BML), which produced 241 PS (238 bhp; 177 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,800 rpm. Further additions included Haldex Traction-based 4motion on-demand four-wheel drive system, a six-speed manual transmission, aluminum front control arms, independent rear suspension, and larger 334 mm (13.1 in) disc brakes with gloss blue painted calipers. Exterior changes included R32-specific bumpers and side skirts, a hatch spoiler, and 18" OZ Aristo alloy wheels (Ronal produced the wheels towards the end of production). The interior of the R32 was equipped with Climatronic automatic climate control, sport seats from König with R logo embroidery, a sunroof (US only), Xenon Headlamps (for Europe), and more. For Australia, two hundred "Edition 200" cars were produced, each uniquely plaqued and available in three colours: Black Magic Pearl, Deep Blue Pearl and Reflex Silver. For the US, Tornado Red was an available fourth colour. The distribution of US-spec R32 colours were: Deep Blue Pearl: 40% Reflex Silver: 35% Black Magic Pearl: 15% Tornado Red: 10% For the US, five thousand cars were produced and intended to be sold over a two-year period. The allotment sold out in 13 months. The R32 is capable of 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 6.6 seconds, reduced to 6.4 seconds with the dual clutch gearbox, and can clear the

Extended production Mk4.5

=== China === In China, the Golf Mk4 commenced production in 2003 by FAW-Volkswagen, where it was sold alongside a new version of the Golf IV with FAW-VW's facelifted Bora front. It was shown at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition in 2006 and was named as the Bora HS to complement the Bora Mk IV range and shared similar styling cues. The Mk4 Golf and Bora HS ended production in 2008 and 2009, respectively, where they were both succeeded by the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 for the 2010 model year. The Golf came standard with the 1.6 litre engine and 1.8 litre engine for the 2005 model year. The engines were paired to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Its Bora counterpart came standard with the same 1.6 litre engine and transmission options as the Golf. In comparison to pricing and trim levels, the 2004 Golf was priced from 116,000 to 139,000 yuan ($17,680 to $21,190 US – March 2021 exchange rate) and two trim levels available, known as Fashion and Charming. For the Bora HS, pricing ranged from 112,500 to 129,800 yuan ($17,150 to US$19,780 - March 2021 exchange rate) also with 2 trim levels known as Fashion and Luxury. Americas. The facelifted Golf Mk4 (nicknamed the Mk4.5) continued to be produced in Brazil until 2013. In Argentina, the range was available with a 1.6L or 2.0L petrol four-cylinder, a 1.8L turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, or with a 1.9L 130 bhp (97 kW) turbodiesel. In Chile, it was also sold until 2010, with a 1.6 to 2.0&L petrol range. All of these are Brazilian-built models, although the diesels are only for export markets. In Brazil, the Mk4.5 Golf has a 1.6 L engine (with Volkswagen's Total Flex system, which accepts both gasoline and ethanol), or a 2.0 L engine (the 1.8 turbo engine was discontinued in 2009). It is avail

Safety

== Pope Benedict XVI == In 1999, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Catholic Church's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith under Pope John Paul II, purchased a fourth-generation Golf in which to drive around Rome, selling it in 2005 after John Paul's death in anticipation of retiring and returning to Germany. Instead, he became Pope Benedict XVI. Shortly after John Paul's death, his 1999 Golf sold to a German owner for $13,000, who then sold the car for around $244,000 via eBay to online betting company GoldenPalace.com.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (1J)

Manufacturer

Volkswagen

aka

VW Bora HS (China, 2006–2008), VW City Golf (Canada, 2007–2010), VW Golf Town (2009–2010)

Production

October 1997–2006 (Europe), 1999–2014 (Brazil), 2003–2010 (China)

Assembly

Germany: Wolfsburg, Germany: Zwickau (Volkswagen Zwickau-Mosel Plant), Brazil: São José dos Pinhais (Volkswagen do Brasil), Mexico: Puebla (Volkswagen de México), Belgium: Brussels, Slovakia: Bratislava, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo (Volkswagen Sarajevo), South Africa: Uitenhage, China: Changchun

Designer

Peter Schreyer, Hartmut Warkuß

Class

Compact car (C)

Body style

3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 5-door station wagon

Layout

Front engine, front-wheel-drive / four-wheel-drive

Platform

Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform

Related

Volkswagen Jetta Mk4 (Bora), Audi A3 Mk1, Audi TT Mk1, Volkswagen New Beetle, SEAT León Mk1, SEAT Toledo Mk2, Škoda Octavia Mk1

Engine

Petrol:, 1.4 L EA111 16v I4, 1.6 L EA827 I4, 1.6 L EA111 16v I4, 1.6 L EA111 FSI 16v I4, 1.8 L EA113 20v I4, 1.8 L EA113 20v turbo I4, 2.0 L EA827 I4, 2.3 L AGZ VR5, 2.3 L AQN 20v VR5, 2.8 L EA390 VR6, 2.8 L EA390 24v VR6, 3.2 L EA390 24v VR6 (R32), Petrol CNG:, 2.0 L ATM I4, Diesel:, 1.9 L EA180 SDI I4, 1.9 L EA180 TDI I4 (Verteilerpumpe - VE), 1.9 L EA188 TDI PD I4 (Pumpe Düse)

Transmission

01M 4-speed automatic, 09A 5-speed tiptronic automatic, 02J 5-speed manual, 02M 6-speed manual, 6-speed DSG - R32 only

Wheelbase

2512 mm, R32: 2517 mm

Length

1998–2002 GTI/Golf: 4148 mm, 2003–2006 GTI/Golf: 4188 mm, R32: 4176 mm, Bora/Jetta: 4376 mm

Width

1735 mm

Height

1440 mm, R32: 1425 mm, City Golf: 1,445 mm

Predecessor

Volkswagen Golf Mk3

Successor

Volkswagen Golf Mk5

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1419308CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk4CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374791877 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VW_Golf_IV.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: No machine-readable author provided. CrazyD assumed (based on copyright claims). · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://web.archive.org/web/20031204081743/http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new_cars/golf_hatchLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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