Volkswagen Bora Saloon 1999 - 2005

Volkswagen's Bora is a larger sized family saloon, based on the old Golf platform. This pedigree offers a car that drives and handles very pleasantly, with a nice range of engines. The boot actually improves the balance of the car over the Golf. There were really only two things that stood between the Bora and successful integration into the VW range, the Skoda Octavia and the Seat Toledo, both of which offered the same size car, on the same platform, but for less money.

The Bora is based on the Mk 4 VW Golf which essentially means that it is using old technology, albeit not very old, and it shows. A lot of the parts used to make the Bora had been around in other Volkwagens and associated cars for a little while. This does give the advantage that they are tried and tested but also means that they are not a priority for new development. This means that while a more than adequate car for most purposes the Bora can feel like the poor relative, although it's not priced that way.

The Bora is a clean if uninspiring looking car. The shape is unmistakably VW and the inside of the car is fitted out with good quality materials. The front seats are firm and supportive, head and leg room is good. The rear seats offer good vision but can be a little tight on legroom unless the front seats are pushed forwards. There are a number of useful storage boxes in the cabin. Boot space if good, if not quite as practical as the Golf.

The engine options are basically that of the Mk 4 Golf range but with bookend taken away, so it loses the uninspiring 1.4 and the excessive 3.2. The 1.6 is good around town but not really suitable for constant motorway miles. The 1.8T engine offers a good level of poke and fun, where the 2.0 laps up the motorway miles with ease. The 1.9L diesel engine comes in several different power outputs. The best on offer is probably the 130 bhp ,which is the most powerful but still offers more than 50 mpg. The diesel engines all run at roughly the same fuel consumption so if you can go for the highest available you will get more performance for your diesel.

The handling is probably the Bora's trump card. The extra weight at the back of the car really gives a feeling of assurance when driving. It corners naturally and the steering gives great feel for the road. The car is greatly balanced and offers an engaging drive in almost any situation.

The Bora is no longer on sale and is unlikely to make it's way back to the showrooms. It never really god off the ground, but as it was looking to make money from existing technology pushed together to fill a gap, it was never going to set people's imagination on fire.?

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