Specs For 1997 VW GTI, GTI VR6
This page originally came from: VW of US.
 | Back to GTI | Back to 1997 models | |
| GOLF GL & GTI | GOLF GTI-VR6 | CABRIO & CABRIO HIGHLINE | |
| Configuration | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive with traction control | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine | |||
| Type | 4-cylinder in-line | 6-cylinder (15° V) | 4-cylinder in-line |
| Displacement | 2.0 liter | 2.8 liter | 2.0 liter |
| Horsepower | 115 @ 5,400 RPM | 172 @ 5,800 RPM | 115 @ 5,400 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 122 lb.-ft. @ 3,200 RPM | 173 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 RPM | 122 lb.-ft. @ 3,200 RPM |
| Valve Train | Single overhead cam, belt driven, hydraulic lifters | Dual overhead cams, chain driven, hydraulic lifters | Single overhead cam, belt driven, hydraulic lifters |
| Fuel/Air Supply | Sequential multi-port fuel injection (Motronic®) | Sequential multi-port fuel injection (Motronic®) | Sequential multi-port injection (Motronic®) |
| Ignition | Digital electronic with knock sensor | Digital electronic with dual knock sensors | Digital electronic with knock sensor |
| Engine Controls | Motronic® electronic engine management | Motronic® electronic engine management | Motronic® electronic engine management |
| Transmissions | Standard: 5-Speed Manual Optional: Electronically controlled adaptive dual-mode 4-speed automatic | Standard: 5-Speed Manual | Standard: 5-Speed Manual Optional: Electronically controlled adaptive dual-mode 4-speed automatic |
| Electrical | |||
| Battery | 12 volt, 63 amp hr. | 12 volt, 63 amp hr. | 12 volt, 63 amp hr. |
| Alternator | 14 volt, 70 amp (90 amp with A/C) | 14 volt, 90 amp | 14 volt, 70 amp (90 amp with A/C) |
| Body, Chassis, Suspension | |||
| Type | Steel, unitized construction with bolt-on front fenders | Steel, unitized construction with bolt-on front fenders | Steel, unitized construction with bolt-on front fenders |
| Front suspension | Independent MacPherson struts with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 18mm stabilizer bar and negative steering roll radius | Sport-tuned Independent MacPherson struts with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 20mm stabilizer bar and negative steering roll radius | Independent MacPherson struts with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 20mm stabilizer bar and negative steering roll radius |
| Rear suspension | Independent track-correcting torsion beam axle with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers (20mm stabilizer bar on GTI) | Sport-tuned independent track-correcting torsion beam axle with coil springs, telescopic gas pressurized shock absorbers and 20mm stabilizer bar | Independent track-correcting torsion beam axle with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers |
| Steering | Power-assisted rack & pinion steering | Power-assisted rack & pinion steering | Power-assisted rack & pinion steering |
| Brakes | Power-assisted dual-diagonal circuits, vented front discs, rear drums (rear discs on GTI) Optional Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) on GL, standard on GTI | Power-assisted dual-diagonal circuits, vented front discs, rear discs Standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | Power-assisted dual-diagonal circuits, vented front discs, rear drums Standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) |
| Tires and wheels | P195/60R-14H all-season tires on GTI and GL models with automatic transmission | P205/50R-15H all-season tires on 6.5Jx15 alloy wheels | P195/60R-14H all-season tires on 6Jx14 steel wheels |
| Interior Dimensions | |||
| Headroom, front | 39.2" | 37.5" | 38.7" |
| Headroom, rear | 37.4" | 37.4" | 36.6" |
| Legroom, front | 42.3" | 42.3" | 42.3" |
| Legroom, rear | 31.5" | 31.5" | 31.1" |
| Shoulder room, front | 53.8" | 54.0" | 54.1" |
| Shoulder room, rear | 52.8" | 54.6" | 46.5" |
| Interior Volume | Passenger (EPA) | 88 cu. ft. | 87 cu. ft. | 82 cu. ft. |
| Cargo (EPA) | 17 cu. ft. | 17 cu. ft. | 8 cu. ft. |
| Total | 105 cu. ft. | 104 cu. ft. | 90 cu. ft. |
| Exterior Dimensions | |||
| Wheelbase | 97.4" | 97.4" | 97.2" |
| Overall length | 160.4" | 160.4" | 160.6" |
| Overall width | 66.7" | 66.7" | 66.7" |
| Overall height | 56.2" | 56.2" | 56.0" |
| Track, front/rear | 57.6"/56.2" | 56.9"/56.5" (57.5"/57.0" on GTI) | 57.5"/57.0" |
| Turning circle | 32.8 ft. | 34.2 ft. (32.8 ft. on GTI) | 32.8 ft. |
 | Back to 1997 models | Back to top of page | ||||
| GL | GTI | GTI-VR6 | CABRIO | CABRIO HIGHLINE | ||
| Antenna | Black flexible whip antenna | -- | S | S | S | S |
| Glass | Tinted glass | S | S | S | S | S |
| Grills | - 2-bar body color grill | -- | S | S | S | S |
| - 3-bar body color grill | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Lamps | - Eurostyle halogen headlamps | S | -- | -- | S | -- |
| - Eurostyle halogen headlamps, dual reflectors | -- | S | S | -- | S | |
| Daytime Running Light feature | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Front fog lamps | -- | S | S | -- | S | |
| Moldings | Body color side moldings | S | S | S | S | S |
| Black rocker panel treatment | -- | S | S | S | S | |
| Spoiler | Black rear spoiler with integrated stop lamps | S | S | S | -- | -- |
| Integrated decklid lip spoiler | -- | -- | -- | S | S | |
| Wheels/Covers | 14" steel wheels with full wheel cover | S | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 14" steel wheels with deluxe full wheel cover | -- | -- | -- | S | -- | |
| 14" alloy wheels, 5-spoke | -- | S | -- | -- | -- | |
| 15" alloy wheels, 5-spoke | -- | -- | S | -- | -- | |
| 14" alloy wheels, 7-spoke | -- | -- | -- | -- | S | |
| Anti-theft wheel locks | -- | S | S | -- | S | |
| Wipers/Washers | 2-speed front windshield wipers with intermittent wipe feature | S | S | S | S | S |
| Rear wiper/washer system with intermittent wipe feature | S | S | S | -- | -- | |
 | Back to 1997 models | Back to top of page | ||||
| GL | GTI | GTI-VR6 | CABRIO | CABRIO HIGHLINE | ||
| Air conditioning | Air conditioning, CFC-free | O | S | S | O | S |
| Air bags | Front dual air bag supplemental restraint system | S | S | S | S | S |
| Alarm/Anti-theft | Anti-theft vehicle alarm system | S | S | S | S | S |
| Assist handles | Front and rear passenger assist handles | S | S | S | -- | -- |
| Brakes | ABS (anti-lock braking system) | O | S | S | -- | S |
| Console | Center console with 2 front cup holders | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Center console with 2 front cup holders, rear lockable compartment and rear concealed cup holder | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Defroster | Electric rear window defroster | S | S | S | S | S |
| Hatch release | Remote electric hatch/trunk release | S | S | S | -- | -- |
| Instruments | Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip Odometer, coolant temp. gauge, fuel gauge, digital clock and warning lights | S | S | S | S | S |
| Multi-function trip computer | -- | -- | S | -- | -- | |
| Lighting | Interior dome light, front center | S | S | S | S | S |
| Locks | Child safety locks on rear doors | S | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Central power locking system, selective | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Center dash mounted lock/unlock switch | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Luggage area | Carpeted luggage compartment with cover | S | S | S | S | S |
| Mirrors | Driver & passenger side remote mirrors | S | S | -- | S | -- |
| Driver & passenger heatable side power mirrors | -- | -- | S | S | S | |
| Seating, front | Fully reclining front bucket seats with height & angle adjustable headrests | S | -- | -- | S | -- |
| Fully reclining front sport seats with height & angle adjustable headrests | -- | S | S | -- | S | |
| Seat height adjustment for driver | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Seating, rear | 60/40 split folding rear seat | S | S | S | -- | -- |
| One-piece folding rear seat, lockable | -- | -- | -- | S | S | |
| Sound system | Premium AM/FM cassette stereo with 8-speaker sound system with control capability for (optional) CD changer, theft-deterrent warning light and coding system | O | S | S | S | S |
| 6 disc CD-changer | O | O | O | O | O | |
| Storage, interior | Front door storage pockets | S | S | S | S | S |
| Sunroof | Power tilt and slide glass sunroof with tinted glass, sunshade and power lock operated convenience closing feature | O | S | S | -- | -- |
| Traction | Traction Control System | -- | -- | S | -- | -- |
| Windows | Power windows with one-touch-down and convenience close & open features | -- | -- | S | O | S |
S=Standard
O=Optional
--=Not available