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Second Generation VW Jetta (A2, Typ 16; 1G) History

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#1 ·
The Mark 2 series is the longest running Jetta so far. Introduced to Europe in early 1984 and to North America in 1985, the second generation Jetta proved to be a sales success for Volkswagen. The car secured the title of best-selling European car in North America, Farmers Journal COTY 1991 and outsold the similar Golf by two-to-one in that market.[SUP][26][/SUP] Based on the all new second generation Golf platform, the car was larger, heavier, and could seat five people instead of four as in the Mark 1. Exterior dimensions increased in all directions. Overall length was up by 100 millimetres (3.9 in), the wheelbase grew 66 millimetres (2.6 in), and the width went up 53 millimetres (2.1 in). The suspension setup was basically unchanged from the first generation, although refined slightly, for example by the inclusion of a separate subframe for mounting the front control arms to help noise isolation, as well as improved rubber mountings for all components. Aerodynamics improved considerably, with adrag coefficient of 0.36.[SUP][27][/SUP] With a 470-litre (16.6 ft[SUP]3[/SUP]) luggage compartment, the trunk had grown nearly as large as some full-sized American sedans.[SUP][28][/SUP] Interior room was also increased 14%, which changed the EPA class from sub-compact to compact.
Cars built in Germany were assembled in a brand new (at the time) plant at Wolfsburg in Assembly Hall 54. The plant was heavily robotised in an effort to make build quality more consistent.[SUP][29][/SUP] New innovations on the second generation included an optional trip computer (referred to as the MFA, German Multi-Funktions-Anzeige), as well as silicone dampened engine and transmission mounts to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness levels. In 1988, a more advanced fully electronic fuel injection system became available. This arrangement is known as the Digifant Engine Management system.

1985-1987 Volkswagen Jetta 2 door saloon (North American specification)​

Like the Mark 1, the second generation was offered as a two-door or four-door saloon/sedan. External changes throughout the series' run were few: the front-quarter windows were eliminated in 1988 (along with a grille and door trim change), and larger body-colored bumpers and lower side skirts were added from 1990.
In 2007, Volkswagen of America held a contest to find the diesel powered Volkswagen with the highest distance traveled on the original engine.[SUP][30][/SUP] The winning car was a 1986 Jetta Turbodiesel found in Blue Rock, Ohio which had 562,000 miles (904,000 km).[SUP][31][/SUP] A local dealer verified the odometer reading. Notable on this particular car was that it also had the original muffler despite being located in an area subject to road salt in the winter.

Safety



Jetta 4-door (German specification)​

In a crash test conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Jetta received three out of five stars for both driver and passenger protection in a 56 km/h (35 mph) frontal crash test. The Highway Loss Data Institute (part of theInsurance Institute for Highway Safety) found the injury and collision losses for the Jetta to be among the best of the small 4-door sedan category.[SUP][32][/SUP] It was topped only by the Golf. Earlier models had the dubious distinction of having an especially high rate of radio theft.[SUP][33][/SUP] Apparently, the mounting of the radio made it especially easy to remove quickly. To correct the problem, Volkswagen introduced a theft protection system to all cars. When the power supply to the radio was removed, it automatically went into "safe" mode. When plugged back in, it would not work unless a secret code was entered. This made it essentially useless to thieves, although provided a hassle to customers who misplaced their code card. The dealership maintains a database of codes, and can replace a lost code if the radio serial number is provided.

North America


The Jetta did not differ greatly from its European twin (at least as much as the Golf did), besides requirements such as bumpers, glass, etc. Also, North American models in general have a narrower range of specification available. For example, most models had things like a bigger engine, full console, door panel pockets, velour seating, and, later on, power steering, height adjustable steering column, and tachometer, standard. They also lacked some higher level options of European variants. The Jetta was perceived as slightly upmarket from the Golf. The level of features always was a step above (standard passive restraint in 1988, standard power steering in 1990, 14-inch wheels available for most years, etc.).
Canadian spec models were even better equipped. Generally, the Canadian base models received the same level of options as an American GL, and the same with the GL and Carat. Other Canadian specification differences were diesel engines (both naturally aspirated and Turbo) available for all years (in the US, there was no diesel for 1988, and only the n/a for 1989 and 1990), a 2-door model for 1992 (it was dropped in the US), the early Carat model (which had heated velour sport seats, a GLi engine, and optional automatic), and color and trim differences.
 
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#2 ·
Engines

[hide]​
Model
YearsEngine and codeDispl.PowerTorque
Petrol engines without catalytic converter
1.31983-1992I4 CarburettorHK/MH/2G1,272 cc (77.6 cu in)40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) @ 5200 rpm94 N·m (69 ft·lbf) @ 3300 rpm
1.61983-1992I4 CarburettorEZ/ABN1,595 cc (97.3 cu in)55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) @ 5000 rpm125 N·m (92 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
1.81983-1991I4 CarburettorGU1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) @ 5200 rpm145 N·m (107 ft·lbf) @ 3300 rpm
1.81985-1987I4 FI (K-Jetronic)MV1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) @ 5200 rpm145 N·m (107 ft·lbf) @ 3300 rpm
1.8 GT1984-1987I4 FIEV1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)82 kW (111 PS; 110 hp) @ 5500 rpm155 N·m (114 ft·lbf) @ 3100 rpm
1.8 GT1987-1991I4 FIPB1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)82 kW (111 PS; 110 hp) @ 5400 rpm159 N·m (117 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm
1.8 GT 16V1986-1991I4 FIKR1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)102 kW (139 PS; 137 hp) @ 6100 rpm168 N·m (124 ft·lbf) @ 4600 rpm
Petrol engines with catalytic converter
1.31985-1992I4 FINZ1,272 cc (77.6 cu in)40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) @ 5200 rpm97 N·m (72 ft·lbf) @ 3000 rpm
1.61985-1992I4 CarburettorPN1,595 cc (97.3 cu in)51 kW (69 PS; 68 hp) @ 5200 rpm118 N·m (87 ft·lbf) @ 2700 rpm
1.61986-1991I4 CarburettorRF1,595 cc (97.3 cu in)53 kW (72 PS; 71 hp) @ 5200 rpm120 N·m (89 ft·lbf) @ 2700 rpm
1.81983-1988I4 FI (K-Jetronic)GX1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) @ 5200 rpm137 N·m (101 ft·lbf) @ 3300 rpm
1.81986-1990I4 CarburettorRH1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)62 kW (84 PS; 83 hp) @ 5000 rpm142 N·m (105 ft·lbf) @ 3000 rpm
1.81986-1991I4 FIRP1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) @ 5250 rpm142 N·m (105 ft·lbf) @ 3000 rpm
1.81985-1992I4 FI (KE-Jetronic/Digifant)HT/RV1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)74 kW (101 PS; 99 hp) @ 5250 rpm146 N·m (108 ft·lbf) @ 3000 rpm
1.8 syncro1988-1991I4 FI1P1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)72 kW (98 PS; 97 hp) @ 5400 rpm143 N·m (105 ft·lbf) @ 3000 rpm
1.8 GT1985-1992I4 FI (KE-Jetronic/Digifant)RD/PF1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)79 kW (107 PS; 106 hp) @ 5250 rpm154 N·m (114 ft·lbf) @ 3250 rpm
1.8 GT1986-1987I4 FIRG1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)79 kW (107 PS; 106 hp) @ 5500 rpm154 N·m (114 ft·lbf) @ 3500 rpm
1.8 GT/GLI/GTX 16V1986-1991I4 FI (KE-Jetronic)PL1,781 cc (108.7 cu in)95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) @ 5800 rpm168 N·m (124 ft·lbf) @ 4250 rpm
2.0 GLI/GTX 16V1990-1992I4 FI (KE-Motronic)9A1,984 cc (121.1 cu in)100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) @ 5800 rpm180 N·m (133 ft·lbf) @ 4400 rpm
Diesel engines
1.6 D1983-1992I4 DieselJP/ME1,588 cc (96.9 cu in)40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) @ 4800 rpm100 N·m (74 ft·lbf) @ 2300-2900 rpm
1.6 ECOdiesel1991-1992I4 Turbodiesel1V1,588 cc (96.9 cu in)44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp) @ 4500 rpm110 N·m (81 ft·lbf) @ 2400-2600 rpm
1.6 TD1983-1992I4 TurbodieselJR/MF1,588 cc (96.9 cu in)51 kW (69 PS; 68 hp) @ 4500 rpm133 N·m (98 ft·lbf) @ 2500-2900 rpm
1.6 TD1989-1991I4 TurbodieselRA/SB1,588 cc (96.9 cu in)59 kW (80 PS; 79 hp) @ 4500 rpm155 N·m (114 ft·lbf) @ 2500-3000 rpm

 
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