Does the Golf have a naturally aspirated engine?
3 Answers
The Golf does have models equipped with naturally aspirated engines. Here are the relevant details about the Golf: 1. The Golf uses a total of three engines. 2. In addition to the 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, there are two turbocharged engines—one is a 1.4L turbocharged engine, and the other is a 1.2L turbocharged engine. 3. The 1.6L naturally aspirated engine in the Golf delivers 110 horsepower and a maximum torque of 155 Nm. This engine reaches its peak power at 5,800 rpm and its maximum torque at 3,800 rpm. 4. This engine features multi-point fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. 5. It is paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT).
Recently, while helping a friend look for a used car, I researched the engine configurations of the Golf. Before the seventh generation, there was indeed a 1.6L naturally aspirated version. I drove a colleague's 2015 model, which was sufficient for city commuting but noticeably sluggish in acceleration. The currently available eighth generation has gone all-turbo, with the 1.2T and 1.4T replacing the old naturally aspirated engines. However, if you're searching the used car market, you can still find 1.6L versions from 2011 to 2016. The EA111 engine, though outdated in technology, is particularly durable, though it consumes more fuel compared to today's newer engines.
As a regular customer at the Volkswagen 4S service center, what impressed me most about the naturally aspirated Golf was its maintenance cost. Although the old 1.6L engine with 132Nm torque struggled during highway overtaking, its upkeep was truly worry-free. Unlike today's turbocharged cars that require specific engine oils, it ran fine on regular mineral oil. Spark plugs only needed replacement every 80,000 km, and its engine mounts aged slower than turbo engines. However, last year's dealership statistics showed the biggest complaint from naturally aspirated owners was sudden power loss when the AC compressor engaged - they had to turn off AC for smooth starts at traffic lights.
