Volkswagen Pointer

One of the successors of VW Golf, is the incredible VW Pointer, a vehicle developed by the brand mainly for the Hispanic market belonging to the sector C of the company.

It was produced for 3 years between 1993 and 1996, and belonged to a joint collaboration between the giants Ford and Wolswagen which not only shaped this model but also Escort-Pointer and Verona-Logus

Perhaps due to commercial decisions, perhaps due to his own conviction, the president of the company defined him as the Most beautiful Volkswagen in the world, it has a body five-door hatchback and two-door sedan were marketed with 4-stroke engines, in 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 cc,

Later revolutionary models such as Polo, Wind, Golf and Bora which generated a loss of sales value and business decisions opted to promote these models by discontinuing the Pointer creation.

About the Volkswagen Pointer

El Volkswagen pointer It was a compact hatchback car produced between 1994 and 1996 by the collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford, an alliance called Autolatina, and specially designed for sale in the South American market.

Autolatina had the objective of developing and selling vehicles specifically adapted for Mercosur, with the combination of Volkswagen and Ford technologies, both brands represented by the company. In fact, the Volkswagen Pointer was based on the Ford Escort/Vernoa platform, as a complementary option to the Volkswagen Logus, a version presented in 1993 to replace the Volkswagen Apollo.

After the dissolution of Autolatina, the Pointer/Logus line was discontinued and replaced in the South American market by the range of the Volkswagen Golf. A version that we also know well in Europe, since it is an international model, and not only designed for a single market.

After the Pointer/Logus platform was discontinued for the South American market, the Pointer name was reused in Mexico to market the second generation Volkswagen Gol, which was available between 1998 and 2009.

The Pointer/Logus design was conceived by a group of Brazilian engineers at the facilities of Ghia Design in Turin, Italy. Subsequently, the vehicle underwent tests in the Volkswagen wind tunnel in Wolfsburg, Germany. During these tests, a grip problem was identified at the rear of the car, especially at the end of the tailgate. For this reason, to address this issue, it was decided to add a small 6mm spoiler to improve aerodynamics and achieve a favorable drag coefficient (Cx) for its category.

The final result was a Volkswagen Pointer four-door sports car with a compact design but suitable for family use. It offers a high level of interior comfort and versatility in both urban and highway environments. Despite its firm suspension, it is comfortable in city traffic, conveying a feeling of robustness and security.

On the road, the Pointer provides outstanding performance. It is agile, powerful, has safe brakes and efficient lighting, making it ideal for long trips without tiring the driver. It stands out for its interior comfort and excellent stability, achieved thanks to its suspension that provides good grip in fast corners. Although it tends to understeer like most front-wheel drive cars in corners, this situation is easily corrected by taking your foot off the accelerator.

Volkswagen Pointer models launched

Accessories: electric windows, anti-pinch system, global closing of windows, central locking, leather accessories, sunroof, alarm, electric mirrors, hydraulic steering, air conditioning, sports seats, disc brakes on all four wheels. McPherson type suspension, shock absorbing steering wheel, hydraulic brakes with servo actuator, motor Volkswagen-Audi. The different engines and characteristics are:

1.6AP-1600i

• Version: CLI
• Displacement: 1596 cc
• Cylinder diameter: 81mm
• Piston race: 77,4 mm
• Compression ratio: 9,8:1
• Power: 93 hp at 5500 RPM
• Motor torque: 13,9mKg at 3000RPM
• Fuel system: Single Point Injection CFI-D

1.8AP-1800i

• Version: GL
• Displacement: 1.781 cc
• Cylinder diameter: 81mm
• Piston race: 86,4mm
• Compression Ratio: 9,0:1
• Power: 96 hp at 5500 RPM
• Engine Torque: 14,5 mKg at 2.500 RPM
• Fuel system: Single point injection CFI-D

2.0AP-2000i

• Version: GTi
• Displacement: 1984 tsp
• Compression Ratio: 10:1
• Power: 115,5 hp at 6100 RPM
• Engine Torque: 17,4mKg at 3000RPM
• Fuel system: Digital Injection type EEC-IV with Multiple Injection
• Acceleration 0 to 100km/h: 10,3s
• Maximum speed: 192,3 km/h
• Braking distance from 80 km/h to 0: 29 m

Complete VW Pointer features

Mechanical characteristics of the Volkswagen Pointer:

• The engine follows the four-stroke cycle Otto (gasoline) and it is a 4 cylinder in line, located at the front of the vehicle with a transverse arrangement.
• The engine block is cast iron, while the cylinder cover is aluminum. The crankshaft has 5 journals and 4 connecting rod journals, as well as 8 counterweights.
• The pistons are of the floating type and have 3 rings: 2 compression and one oil scraper.
• Each cylinder has two valves and are housed in the cylinder cover. These valves are operated by the camshaft through hydraulic lifters. The camshaft is located in the cylinder head and is driven by a toothed belt.
• El ignition is digital electronic with “HALL” type sensor, transformer and distributor.
• The system digital injection multipoint for motors 2.0 and single point for 1.6 and 1.8 engines.
• La fuel supply is carried out by an electric pump, with a dry type air filter.
• Count with one thermochemical catalyst with ceramic body coated with aluminum oxide and impregnated with palladium/rhodium.
• La engine lubrication is forced by a mechanically driven gear pump, with a full outlet type oil filter.
• The cooling system uses forced circulation of liquid, with a mechanically driven helical vane rotor hydraulic pump. The radiator has aluminum pipes and fins, with a surge tank and an electric fan.
• La steering is progressive hydraulic with a shock absorbing steering wheel with retractable column and axial adjustment. The steering mechanism is of the rack and pinion type, providing direct and precise steering.

Body and chassis characteristics:

• The dimensions of the vehicle are 4.076 mm long, 1.695 mm wide and a wheelbase of 2.525 mm for all versions.
• The height varies, being 1.406 mm for the CLi version and 1.393 mm for the GLi and GTi versions.
• The weight of the vehicle is approximately 1000 kg (1T).

Tires and rims:

• CLi version has 175/70SR13 tires and 5J x 13 stamped steel wheels.
• GTi version uses 185/60HR14 tires with 6J x 14 light alloy wheels.