How does our current Golf R32 compare to the first one, of 2002 vintage? Neil Carey has a chance to find out.
That’s the question I asked in my post regarding the press release on the ‘08 R32.
Since we cannot pull of a test review of both of these (I guess we really could at the dealer) Evo has done an excellent job of comparing the two. In a short but sweet article they point out the differences which become more apparent on the road than on paper.
I’ll take mine in white, red if it’s an MKIV! 
Two VW Golf R32s - on the left, the mk4 version introduced in 2002. On the right our more recent mk5 model.
Text: Neil Carey / Photos: Andy Morgan | July 2007
Two VW Golf R32s - on the left, the mk4 version introduced in 2002. On the right our more recent mk5 model.
The humble Golf has come a long way in its 33 years. It has grown in every dimension, and it’s the same story with the performance. Back in 1977 the original hot Golf, the much celebrated mk1 GTI, was armed with a measly 110bhp 1.6-litre motor and used (and needed, for that matter) only the front wheels to transfer that power to the road.
Skip forward to today and the premium Golf is no longer marked out by the letters ‘GTI’. It’s now the R32 that tops the range, and it has moved the game on considerably, with an additional 136bhp, four-wheel drive and, if you tick the right box at the dealership, a race car-inspired paddle-operated gearbox.
Continue reading ‘VW Golf R32: Old vs. New’
I don’t know about you but that title had me in tears.. The R32 is an incredible machine. A wonderful daily river and awesome weekend track car. As an overall deal it rivals the Evo and STI in this. However, yes it is “more” powerful than the MKIV R32 but only by… hold on…. 10hp!!!!!!! It has the same TQ numbers…
It was also thought that the U.S MKIV R32 had the 250hp 3.2L out of the Audi TT which then would put it at the same #’s as the new MKV R32! hmmm… (wiki)
Now VW has ever advertised it as a competitor to the EVO/STI race. That has mostly been stirred up on the streets, track, internet. I am not sure how VW will tackle the new MKV R32 advertising but there will only be 5,000 made and a good number are already accounted for.
I think a good number of enthusiast will agree that VW needed to drop a bit more in this model…. snore. I guess you can take it to HPA, APR or EPI.
- Motorsport inspired R32: a race car for everyday driving
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its hottest hatchback, the new 2008 R32 will make its highly anticipated debut in the United States this fall. The Mk V R32 features bold new interior and exterior styling cues packaged with increased horsepower and performance. With a heritage of responsive driving and dynamic performance characteristics built into its bloodline, the R32 is ready to comfortably tackle the streets or rip up the local track day event. The choice is yours.
The R32’s muscle is provided by its namesake, the awesome 3.2 liter naturally aspirated narrow angle VR6 engine, which provides 250 horsepower and 236 ft. lbs. of torque. This unique and potent engine is combined with Volkswagen’s gripping 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system. Rounding out the drivetrain package is the highly praised Volkswagen dual clutch DSG® transmission, which allows for seamless gear changes and helps the R32 to accelerate from 0-60 in approximately 6.4 seconds.
Continue reading ‘R32: It’s back in ‘08 and more powerful than ever!’
