Big-bumper 2.0 16V is the apex spec

The community hierarchy is consistent: within the Mk2 run, the 1990-1992 big-bumper cars with the 2.0L 16V (9A engine, 2Y close-ratio box, 7000 rpm tach) sit at the top because they carry the Euro look plus factory Recaro seats and genuine two-piece BBS RM wheels, versus the small-bumper 1.8 16V and 8V cars. Production was tiny, with commenters citing roughly 5000 big-bumper 16Vs total and only about 500 for 1992, and one US owner recalling VWoA quoting around 1400 US 16V cars for 1991-92. …