RE: My First Car: VW Polo G40
Discussion
VR6 just an update of Lancias narrow V concept originating in late 1910s or early 1920s and used in Lancias up until the brilliant Fulvia first produced in 1963 and alst produced in mid 70s. Not very innovative these Germans!
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I think we were mainly looking at the G-Lader supercharger, which is a superb piece of engineering and although based upon a 1905 French design, only VW took up the challenge to produce one commercially. Here is an extract from another website, but it gives you some idea of the challenge!
'The G-Lader was invented in 1905 by a Frenchman called Le Creux. Materials technology at the time prevented his design being a viable option. In the eighties once supercharging (as opposed to turbocharging) was decided upon as their route to performance Volkswagen decided to follow through with Le Creux's original design. Over 400 designs were produced before the current unit was settled on. The reliability of the current unit meets the following minimum requirement: Full boost at 10,000 rpm for 800 hours continuous. As a measure of what this means in real terms consider that one of the designs that fell by the wayside could only last 4 hours on the test bed under these conditions, but would still last 20,000 miles in a VW test car.' taken from:
http://www.polog40.co.uk/article_glader.php
I am a big fan of Lancia's too, the Stratos, S4 (highly innovative), Intergrale and the gorgeous Fulvia's for e.g . It's a shame they didn't spend quite the same amount of time on developing their rust proofing, electronics (my brothers Delta was plagued with electronic problems) and general reliability as they did on trying to be innovative.
[/quote]
I think we were mainly looking at the G-Lader supercharger, which is a superb piece of engineering and although based upon a 1905 French design, only VW took up the challenge to produce one commercially. Here is an extract from another website, but it gives you some idea of the challenge!
'The G-Lader was invented in 1905 by a Frenchman called Le Creux. Materials technology at the time prevented his design being a viable option. In the eighties once supercharging (as opposed to turbocharging) was decided upon as their route to performance Volkswagen decided to follow through with Le Creux's original design. Over 400 designs were produced before the current unit was settled on. The reliability of the current unit meets the following minimum requirement: Full boost at 10,000 rpm for 800 hours continuous. As a measure of what this means in real terms consider that one of the designs that fell by the wayside could only last 4 hours on the test bed under these conditions, but would still last 20,000 miles in a VW test car.' taken from:
http://www.polog40.co.uk/article_glader.php
I am a big fan of Lancia's too, the Stratos, S4 (highly innovative), Intergrale and the gorgeous Fulvia's for e.g . It's a shame they didn't spend quite the same amount of time on developing their rust proofing, electronics (my brothers Delta was plagued with electronic problems) and general reliability as they did on trying to be innovative.
My path to my M5 went from a Polo GT Coupe to a Polo G40 to a Corrado VR6 and then on to the e34 M5.
The G40 still 'felt' the quickest on twisty roads, but it lost out on long motorway trips where the Corrado and M5 gobble the miles up.
Still did a bit of light modifying on it (pulley & chip) to give an estimated 130bhp and the handling was great.
I still think of going back to one as a 2nd car, but I'd probably not find a decent one anyway and then have two cars to blow my earnings on.
The G40 still 'felt' the quickest on twisty roads, but it lost out on long motorway trips where the Corrado and M5 gobble the miles up.
Still did a bit of light modifying on it (pulley & chip) to give an estimated 130bhp and the handling was great.
I still think of going back to one as a 2nd car, but I'd probably not find a decent one anyway and then have two cars to blow my earnings on.
[quote = someone] Suspension, well it is a basic 1970's design, but having said that, its no more crashy than the Fiat uno's or the R5GTT of its time. Possibly not as good as a GTI, but wasn't that a slightly bigger and heavier(and slower) car?
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Exactly : It is a 70 suspension design from a shopping trolley in a performace car sold in the 90's, and totally out of its depth considering the bhp, torque or the competion. And the handling ? I think people are getting mixed up with a lightweight car, which will always have good dynamics compared to a heavy saloon car, and a car that had a competent chassis. Consider that a Suzuki Ignis sport sets a a faster time round hockenheim despite having 10 less bhp and 60kg more weight.
The interior ?
People are defending the interior ? Compare it to other 90 coupes like the MR2 coupe, or even the rover coupe with those lightweight half leather recaros, or the functional grace of the integra, Again it was a 70's design with some black plastic stuck on, it was not ergonomic, it didnt look good, it noisy and it feels like being inside a baked bean can with a bakelight telphone to drive with. To steal a phrase from Clarkson, It’s as dull and as featureless as the inside of a Cheeky Girl’s head.
IF VW had spent the same time and money on the rest of the car as they did the engine, if they had given it double wishbones and new subframes, some recaros, a proper new interior, they would of had a classic on thier hands.
Its dropped ball and a missed opportunity, and it was 10 years out of date when it was introduced in '91. Sorry if all this seems harsh, but I am bitter from having my time wasted driving these things.
ExPat2B said:
Suspension, well it is a basic 1970's design, but having said that, its no more crashy than the Fiat uno's or the R5GTT of its time. Possibly not as good as a GTI, but wasn't that a slightly bigger and heavier(and slower) car?
Exactly : It is a 70 suspension design from a shopping trolley in a performace car sold in the 90's, and totally out of its depth considering the bhp, torque or the competion. And the handling ? I think people are getting mixed up with a lightweight car, which will always have good dynamics compared to a heavy saloon car, and a car that had a competent chassis. Consider that a Suzuki Ignis sport sets a a faster time round hockenheim despite having 10 less bhp and 60kg more weight.
The interior ?
People are defending the interior ? Compare it to other 90 coupes like the MR2 coupe, or even the rover coupe with those lightweight half leather recaros, or the functional grace of the integra, Again it was a 70's design with some black plastic stuck on, it was not ergonomic, it didnt look good, it noisy and it feels like being inside a baked bean can with a bakelight telphone to drive with. To steal a phrase from Clarkson, It’s as dull and as featureless as the inside of a Cheeky Girl’s head.
IF VW had spent the same time and money on the rest of the car as they did the engine, if they had given it double wishbones and new subframes, some recaros, a proper new interior, they would of had a classic on thier hands.
Its dropped ball and a missed opportunity, and it was 10 years out of date when it was introduced in '91. Sorry if all this seems harsh, but I am bitter from having my time wasted driving these things.
I suppose I'd have to agree about the flaws (except the seats that were made by Recaro, not their best efforts admittedly). I think I like it because of the flaws though, they're what make it the odd-ball choice. There was an even rarer MK2 version, for German market only. I'd love to import one of those.Exactly : It is a 70 suspension design from a shopping trolley in a performace car sold in the 90's, and totally out of its depth considering the bhp, torque or the competion. And the handling ? I think people are getting mixed up with a lightweight car, which will always have good dynamics compared to a heavy saloon car, and a car that had a competent chassis. Consider that a Suzuki Ignis sport sets a a faster time round hockenheim despite having 10 less bhp and 60kg more weight.
The interior ?
People are defending the interior ? Compare it to other 90 coupes like the MR2 coupe, or even the rover coupe with those lightweight half leather recaros, or the functional grace of the integra, Again it was a 70's design with some black plastic stuck on, it was not ergonomic, it didnt look good, it noisy and it feels like being inside a baked bean can with a bakelight telphone to drive with. To steal a phrase from Clarkson, It’s as dull and as featureless as the inside of a Cheeky Girl’s head.
IF VW had spent the same time and money on the rest of the car as they did the engine, if they had given it double wishbones and new subframes, some recaros, a proper new interior, they would of had a classic on thier hands.
Its dropped ball and a missed opportunity, and it was 10 years out of date when it was introduced in '91. Sorry if all this seems harsh, but I am bitter from having my time wasted driving these things.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Wednesday 3rd September 14:09
Exactly : It is a 70 suspension design from a shopping trolley in a performace car sold in the 90's, and totally out of its depth considering the bhp, torque or the competion. And the handling ? I think people are getting mixed up with a lightweight car, which will always have good dynamics compared to a heavy saloon car, and a car that had a competent chassis. Consider that a Suzuki Ignis sport sets a a faster time round hockenheim despite having 10 less bhp and 60kg more weight.
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I agree on some points but I think you're missing the point. This is a super rare car (500 made in right hand drive) and the fact it looks pretty much like any other shopping car makes it what it is. The MR2 etc are more akin to a Corrado surely? The G40 was around £13k in 1990, a fair bit but then the performance at the time was good value.
As for handling and performance, remember the Super Coupe Cup?
The supercharged G40 shares the track with the turbocharged Renault 5 GT Turbo, and the normally aspirated Rover 216GTi, Renault Clio 16V, and Honda CRX. The competition runs over about 15 rounds each year with individual class championships for each model. The Super Coupe Cup is a popular and active series with over 50 registered entries in the 1999 season, of which 13 were G40 Polos. Despite having the smallest engine capacity the G40 is very competitive; the 1998 G40 class winner, Peter Studer, finished second overall in the championship.
It's tricky comparing cars performance data, especially those from another era. A G40 from 1991 hardly compares to a modern hatch with 200bhp does it? (actually most G40 owners would probably argue with me there!)
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I agree on some points but I think you're missing the point. This is a super rare car (500 made in right hand drive) and the fact it looks pretty much like any other shopping car makes it what it is. The MR2 etc are more akin to a Corrado surely? The G40 was around £13k in 1990, a fair bit but then the performance at the time was good value.
As for handling and performance, remember the Super Coupe Cup?
The supercharged G40 shares the track with the turbocharged Renault 5 GT Turbo, and the normally aspirated Rover 216GTi, Renault Clio 16V, and Honda CRX. The competition runs over about 15 rounds each year with individual class championships for each model. The Super Coupe Cup is a popular and active series with over 50 registered entries in the 1999 season, of which 13 were G40 Polos. Despite having the smallest engine capacity the G40 is very competitive; the 1998 G40 class winner, Peter Studer, finished second overall in the championship.
It's tricky comparing cars performance data, especially those from another era. A G40 from 1991 hardly compares to a modern hatch with 200bhp does it? (actually most G40 owners would probably argue with me there!)
I bought mine when I got my first job out of uni and have to say I agree with a lot of the negative comments; the suspension/shell rigidity was terrible, the brakes were bad and the interior, well, it smelt badly of the 70s. It also had some kinda ECU problem that VW wanted £700 to fix at the time.
Despite all that I did enjoy owning it. I got VW to oil service it every 3K and pampered it endlessly.
That sleeper effect was amazing, I even got pulled (fined and given 6 points) for doing 98mph on the M54. It took the Plod 8 miles to catch up in their Senator, then (being car nuts themselves) they thought they were scanning the wrong car.
Despite all that I did enjoy owning it. I got VW to oil service it every 3K and pampered it endlessly.
That sleeper effect was amazing, I even got pulled (fined and given 6 points) for doing 98mph on the M54. It took the Plod 8 miles to catch up in their Senator, then (being car nuts themselves) they thought they were scanning the wrong car.
I couldn't run toa G40 for my first car but I did have a 1988/9 Polo coupe 1.3S. Now this might not seem like much but it was one of the faster cars in the sixth form!! I loved that car. Others said it handled badly but there was mighty lift off oversteer on tap which I've not experienced since- other than the Audi 80.
I used it for University 12 car rallies with the addition of spot lights and the all improtant bonnet clips!!
I sold the car after 2 years of ownership. When I part ex'd it, the clutch had all but stopped working (was massively stiff but did work to pull away so I used no clutch other than that.
To my amazement I saw it a couple of times a few years later.. I thought it was a couple of weeks from scrap!
I loved that car
I used it for University 12 car rallies with the addition of spot lights and the all improtant bonnet clips!!
I sold the car after 2 years of ownership. When I part ex'd it, the clutch had all but stopped working (was massively stiff but did work to pull away so I used no clutch other than that.
To my amazement I saw it a couple of times a few years later.. I thought it was a couple of weeks from scrap!
I loved that car
I started racing my Polo G40 in the G40 cup in 1994 and carried on in the Super Coupe Cup until 2000. My car ended its days in a roll at Snetterton in the last race of 2000 and was broken for spares. Pete Studers car and Matt Brooks car have also been broken and AFAIK there is only one racer left.
Lovely car, but that G-Lader was expensive
Lovely car, but that G-Lader was expensive
TimmyArt said:
I couldn't run toa G40 for my first car but I did have a 1988/9 Polo coupe 1.3S. Now this might not seem like much but it was one of the faster cars in the sixth form!! I loved that car. Others said it handled badly but there was mighty lift off oversteer on tap which I've not experienced since- other than the Audi 80.
I used it for University 12 car rallies with the addition of spot lights and the all improtant bonnet clips!!
I sold the car after 2 years of ownership. When I part ex'd it, the clutch had all but stopped working (was massively stiff but did work to pull away so I used no clutch other than that.
To my amazement I saw it a couple of times a few years later.. I thought it was a couple of weeks from scrap!
I loved that car
Here's mine. Loved that car. It was crap, but I still loved it.I used it for University 12 car rallies with the addition of spot lights and the all improtant bonnet clips!!
I sold the car after 2 years of ownership. When I part ex'd it, the clutch had all but stopped working (was massively stiff but did work to pull away so I used no clutch other than that.
To my amazement I saw it a couple of times a few years later.. I thought it was a couple of weeks from scrap!
I loved that car
They were really quite understated in their day - Never owned one so can't commment on reliability but I do know the G laders are complex things to have rebuilt with very fine tollerances. My main memory of drving my mates G40 were laughing uncontrollably, the whine of the supercharger and the completely s
te, wooden brakes - oh and finally accepting that it was faster than my Renault 11 turbo! He flogged it and bought a Honda CRX in the end
te, wooden brakes - oh and finally accepting that it was faster than my Renault 11 turbo! He flogged it and bought a Honda CRX in the endAh memories come flooding back. 1994 i bought one. It was what i was told the penultimate one availiable from VAG uk. Its the only new car i have ever bought. It was my intention to keep it years, unfortunately the reality meant it lasted less than 7 months. The list of problems was endless. Flooding of the front footwell was the first fault..........the sunroof drain tubes that run from the sunroof down the windsreen pilars were missing, so the rain just flooded in. The brakes pulled to the left and the rear self adjusters just didnt work. VAG paid for the car to have a rear disk conversion done at TSR, but that didnt solve the problem. The paintwork faded after 4 months and VAG offered to paint it again , but told me that it would go milky again within 6 months , they have a problem with " red ". The next debarcle was the rear wheels that got stuck on to the rear hub through corrosion and they had to be replaced along with the hubs. The trim on the nsf wing came adrift of its own accord and the heated rear screen stopped working and the whole rear screen had to be replaced too. The final straw came when the exhaust fell off. The cause was the bracket that holds it on, which is attached to a box section underneath the boot floor. The entire boot floor and box section was replaced and the car was returned. Sure there was new paint inside the boot , but bugger all underneath. That was it, this car had to go . To be honest i was gutted. It was great fun to drive, was under tyred and the breaks were almost non existent. The sensation of speed was great and it was so skitish that you always felt you were driving it on the limit. It was obviously designed in a rush from the parts bin. What a shame, it could have been a real gem of a car , instead turned out to be a lemon. Id like to think L 94 AHP is still alive and well, but somehow i think its seen the wrong side of a hedge a long time ago. Certainly having owned it, my love afair with VW ended there, thats their loss. I useed to be a faithfull fan having had 3 sciroccos, 2 gti's, audi 80 sport and 2 UR'qs. It was almost 14 years ago, but i still remember how badly VW treated me and i havent been back through the door.
Quite simply, you bought a nail! I owned one of these little cars for many years and had the time of my life beating much faster machinery on track days. I never once had a problem, and i know many others that didn't too. Fastest production VW when it was released, although Veedub won't admit that. The 8.1 0-60 book time wash a load of rubbish, but then you couldn't have a car costing £9,000 being faster than your flagship Golf MK2 16v at £15,000, could you?!
Great article...always fancied a G40 one of these myself -At the other end of the Polo scale my slippery slope into the VWs started with a 1 ltr 1978 Polo LS.It was collectively bought with some house mates at uni basically it was rusty, noisy and would'nt go passed 60mph and I was instanty hooked! - It also took loads of abuse and when somebody took out a Metro in it (a true public service!)we simply bolted some undented panel to it so it ended up in 3 colours (4 if rust qualifies).When we all left uni it was sold on - months later the police were round as apparently it was used in a ram raid! It went out in style too...
G40 are class cars. But...if you buy a dog stuck at the back of a show room, with no service history and a mechanic telling you not to buy it, then you are going to have problems!
Good write up though, made me think of my first Vdub 1.3 polo and subsequant 1.3 Golf lol.
Remember a G40 infront of us on the motorway doing 90 in fast lane in my dads RangeRover. Then it pulled away and out of sight like a rocket! such speed from a 1.3 lol. Although we soon passed it doing 50 in the slow lane. Then, again it was booting it in the fast lane before slowing to do 50. This kept on going as we did a constant 90. Reliability comes with looking after them.
Good write up though, made me think of my first Vdub 1.3 polo and subsequant 1.3 Golf lol.
Remember a G40 infront of us on the motorway doing 90 in fast lane in my dads RangeRover. Then it pulled away and out of sight like a rocket! such speed from a 1.3 lol. Although we soon passed it doing 50 in the slow lane. Then, again it was booting it in the fast lane before slowing to do 50. This kept on going as we did a constant 90. Reliability comes with looking after them.
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