Volkswagen introduced the second generation of the Golf at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show, and it was more of an evolution than a revolution.
The new model looked very similar to its predecessor, but it was bigger. Apart from the height, it was like a 110% Golf I. But its wide engine choice and the form-follow-function theme won the buyers’ hearts. In its nine years of production, the Golf’s second generation was sold in over six million units. The five-door version was better suited for young families, without children or with smaller ones.

For Europe, the Golf II sported round headlights and a wedged shape that was easy to recognize. The U.S. customers received a slightly different version, with squared headlights and a similar black slatted grille. Both versions featured plastic, wrapped-around bumpers front, and rear, albeit the U.S. version provided fatter ones to pass the safety standards. Unlike its predecessor, the second generation was available in a three or five-door version right from its launch.

Inside, the carmaker installed an angular-looking dashboard, and a squared instrument cluster extended the center stack. For the base trim level, the Golf featured a speedometer and a clock, with an option for a tachometer. The upper trim levels and the GTI were available with a trip computer, either as an option or standard. In the back, the carmaker installed a folding rear bench to expand the trunk size. A 60/40 split-folding system was on the options list and standard for the GTI.

Under the hood, Volkswagen offered a small range of engines, either gasoline or diesel. An automatic transmission was available for specific versions.