Thanks to all of our buds over at
VWVortex who bombarded our
inbox last night with news that VW has officially announced the fifth-gen European Golf R32. Set to debut in Frankfurt,
the new R32 has increased the amount of power coming from its 3.2L V6 from 241 to 250 hp. It also features permanent
4MOTION four-wheel-drive and is available with either a 6-speed manual or the much-vaunted DSG gearbox. Known for being
relatively subtle in appearance, the R32 will again be best distinguished by its 18-inch light alloy wheels that now
sport 10 dual spokes. The front of the car wears VW’s new signature “shield” grille, but blends it well with the three
large air inlets that also appeared below the bumper on the previous version. Many folks who challenge the new R32 will
quickly be staring at two large tailpipes exiting centrally out of a black diffuser-like component. Additional specs
include 13.2-inch discs in front and 12.2-inchers rear, 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds and a $32,200 price tag. That’s in
Euros though, which at current exchange rates would make it $39,757 US. That is, if it’s even coming to the U.S. No
plans have been announced yet, but we’re hoping VW does sell the torquey little road rocket in North America again,
this time allotting for a few more shipments to land stateside than last time.
Check out all of VW’s officially released pics and the full press release after the jump.
Warning: load time could be long time.
The new Golf R32 ? New edition of the most powerful Golf ever
250 bhp catapult the custom-made sports model to 250 km/h with 4-wheel drive.
New Golf top model to be unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show.
WOLFSBURG, Germany – It was the most powerful Golf ever. The Golf R32 powered by a 177 kW (241 bhp) engine was
first launched in August 2002. Not only was it one of the hottest cars on the road, it also sold like hot cakes: three
times as many R32?s were sold than originally planned. These are excellent prospects for its successor.
Now comes a new R32 based on the Golf V generation. This time it packs 184 kW (250 bhp) under the bonnet; the
permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive again promises excellent roadholding. The new model will see its world premiere at
the 59th Frankfurt Motor Show (15 to 25 September). Presales in Germany start on 19 August. Market launch will be at
the end of September. Prices for the new Golf R32 start at ?32,200.
From the outside, the best Golf ever is not only recognisable by the R32 logo. Similar to its predecessor, the new top
Golf has a design and equipment all of its own. The Golf R32 has a top speed of 250 km/h and comes either with a
6-speed manual gearbox or the optional dual clutch gearbox (DSG). Equipped with the DSG the ?R32? is even faster: 6.2
instead 6.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h. Despite all this, the model is unusually easy to handle.
From the front, the new R32 generation is immediately recognisable by its unique aluminium-effect shield-shaped
radiator grille. At the top of the grille are double aluminium cross struts. Under the number plate there is another
central air scoop for the powerful 3.2-litre V6 engine. Two more large openings on each side of the shield-shaped
radiator grille are intended for fresh air supply. As opposed to all other Golfs, there are air ducts at the bottom and
on either side of the fully painted front bumper. The lines of the air duct continue into the side skirt all the way
along to the rear bumper.
The rear of the Golf R32 is also designed as a fully painted bumper. Only the middle section in the shape of a
diffuser is in black. The two round tailpipes made of polished stainless steel are placed centrally next to each other
and are integrated prominently in the rear bumper. A glance at the outline of the Golf R32 shows the 18-inch
light-alloy wheels (type ?Zolder?). They are fitted with 20 spokes and continue the design theme of the first R32
wheel. The spokes still allow glimpses of what lies behind them: brake calipers painted blue. They come with 345 mm
(diameter) discs at the front and 310 mm at the rear.
The 225/40 tyres bear the Y-pattern tread for high-speed tyres up to 300 km/h. A large-size rear spoiler makes sure
that the rear wheels stay firmly on the road. The fact that the wheel-tyre combination sits snugly in the wheel
housings is partly due to the 18-inch wheel size but also to the specially tuned sports running gear that is lower by
20 millimetres.
The sporty concept of the Golf R32 is a theme that permeates the entire vehicle. Take the interior, for example. There
are distinctive instruments, sports seats, pedals in aluminium look and special applications that emphasise the sporty
nature of the Golf. The sports steering wheel, with perforated leather along the grip area, and the R32 gear shift knob
lie firmly in the hand.
As opposed to the more purist style of the Golf GTI, the R32 top model boasts a dazzling array of standard equipment
at no extra price, such as automatic air conditioning (Climatronic), the RCD 300 audio system with ten loudspeakers,
anti-theft alarm system plus, multifunction display, automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror, rain sensor, tyre pressure
monitor and the complete safety programme comprising six airbags, ESP and brake assistant. The standard bi-xenon
headlights light up the night like day.
The Golf range: The Golf tops the new registration statistics in Europe. Not only that: no other car in this segment
offers so many different engines. With the introduction of the Golf R32 the model range now stretches from 55 kW (75
bhp) to 184 kW (250 bhp). Including the R32-V6, there are ten engines on offer ? six petrol and four diesel. This year
two more interesting engines will be added to the Golf range. The Golf remains an exciting car to
watch.