Comparing the original VW Golf GTI Mk1 with the latest Golf GTI for acceleration may seem a pointless exercise.
The first-generation Golf GTI’s naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter engine produces only 108hp (110PS), while the seventh-generation model’s turbocharged 2.0-liter unit delivers double that: 217hp (220PS).
But there’s another very important factor to consider – weight. The Golf GTI Mk1 tips the scales at just 810 kg (1,786 lbs), while the latest model weighs 1,406 kg (3,100 lbs).
Still, the original Golf GTI sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9 seconds, while the latest model covers the same sprint in 6.4 seconds. Therefore, there’s no question which car is faster in a straight line.
But Auto Express found a way to make the drag race more interesting: they gave the Golf GTI Mk1 a one-second head start for every decade it’s been around – 3.5 seconds in total. Obviously, this made the race a bit more exciting.