Driving Force: Volkswagen Golf R32

By Motoring Channel Staff - 10/8/2005

Injecting even more potency in to the new Golf range, and hot on the heels of the impressive turbocharged Golf GTI (reviewed here) is the Mk.V R32 Golf.

This pumped up AWD 3-door hatchback is equipped with a 3.2-litre engine that will go mano-e-mano with BMW's rear wheel drive 1 Series scorcher, the 130i.

One of Volkswagen's most sought after Golf models - three times as many R32's were sold than originally planned - the new look Golf R32 will made its public debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.

When the first Golf R32 appeared in Europe in August 2002, it caused quite a stir with its muscular appearance, benefiting from an all new bodykit, big wheels and those telltale big bore exhaust pipes.

The fact that a relatively small car was being powered by a tuned 177kW (241hp) V6 engine, delivering power to all four wheels, was also something unique at the time, with only a couple of rivals in the field.

That was based on the Golf IV generation, and with the advent of the Golf V generation (Mk.V) Volkswagen's spanner men have made sure the new R32 goes, stops and turns even quicker and decisively than before, for what should be some seriously big thrills on the bitumen.

But before we look at the beefed up powertrain, how about that new look? Not too bad, eh. It's definitely a lot smoother than the outgoing model, which while lacking any sharp edges, had overall boxy proportions.

The new model, in contrast, is a sleeker proposition and though it may lose a touch of the butch character the Mk.IV model had, it brings the design forward with style.

Looking at the R32's front end it gets a number of bits and bobs unique to this particular model, including the omnipresent R32 badging and what the VW types call an "aluminium-effect shield-shaped radiator grille". Also known as shiny bits.

The front apron/bumper section is an all new unit, incorporating a trio of large aim dams to feed the bent six mill jammed into the engine bay. Each air dam has black strakes across it, and these gaping air inlets (as well as being practical) add a sense of menace to what is usually a fairly cheery looking Volkswagen.

Matching the lines of the front apron are newly sculpted side skirts, which again align consistently with the rear apron, giving the car a uniform look, a solid sense of continuity as far as its design is concerned. Appealing multispoke 18-inch alloy wheels (called 'Zolder') fill out the wheel arches with little room to spare and at the rear lives a roof spoiler similar in design to the GTI's item. The polished stainless steel twin exhaust pipes have returned, hinting at the R32's performance potential, while a subtle black-painted diffuser-looking feature rounds off the new R32 with good taste.

Performance of the Golf R32 will be boosted thanks to the updated 6-cylinder engine: VW's relatively new 3.2-litre V6 does the pushing/pulling, which is also used in some Audi models. The grande Golf makes 184kW of power @ 6300rpm and 320Nm of torque @ 2500rpm; the last figure is slightly lower than the previous engine's torque peak @ 2800rpm, while peak power arrives 50rpm higher in the rev range.

Power and torque is divvied between all wheels thanks to the permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive system, and two gearboxes are offered - a 6-speed manual and a 6 speed direct shift gearbox (DSG).

In the traditional 6-speed manual model, the new R32 will sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds, while the efficiency of the DSG is plain to see, wiping three tenths off the sprint, to 6.2 seconds. Neither times are supercar quick, but they are up there with Alfa Romeo's 147 GTA and should keep pace with popular AWD vehicles like the Impreza WRX.

Looking at the tabulated data, the new R32 Golf is a much fitter vehicle than its forebear, the extra kilowatts and direct shift gearbox (DSG) reducing the 0-100km/h dash considerably. As for the other cars, the Alfa Romeo is almost identical in most respects, though its front-wheel drive layout means it probably wouldn't keep up with the Golf R32 on damp or wet roads. The BMW's engine, meanwhile, is smaller than both the Alfa and VW's by some 200cc, yet it revs a lot higher, allowing for the highest power output of the lot.

The German car manufacturer is adamant that no other car maker can match the Golf in terms of engine choice, saying that "With the introduction of the Golf R32 the model range now stretches from 55kW (75 bhp) to 184kW (250bhp). Including the R32-V6, there are ten engines on offer – six petrol and four diesel."

Furthermore, VW also hinted that two more "interesting engines" will make the Golf line-up later this year. A wankel perhaps?

Volkswagen's eye-catching R32 is speed limited to 250km/h and its chassis has been upgraded to cope with the boost in torque and power.

In addition to 225/40 tyres (bearing the Y-pattern tread for high-speeds, up to 300km/h) that will provide high levels of grip for the small hatch, the suspension has been tweaked to provide for better cornering response, and has been lowered by 20 millimetres too.

Further adding to the car's AWD stability, larger disc brakes have been added, which should please those who plan on getting one of these German AWD hatchbacks with a mind towards track use. The blue brake calipers clamp 345mm discs at the front and 310mm discs at the rear.

The interior has been upgraded to match the Golf R32's status as the most expensive, fastest Golf ever built, featuring all the usual trick parts that make cars 'feel' faster, such as distinctive instruments, aluminium-look pedals, a sports steering wheel and the ubiquitous R32 label nailed to the gear shifter.

Driver and front passenger also get to sit in classy-but-well-'ard-looking sports bucket seats. The Mk.IV R32 Golf that first launched in late 2002 featured Konig sports seats, and the new seats look somewhat similar in design, but VW hasn't specified whether they're in house jobs or not. They certainly don't look it.

Power and style aside, there's still a good level of comfort to be had in the new 4x4 VW pocket pocket; the standard feature list is very impressive. In addition to the RCD 300 audio system (with no less than 10 loudspeakers), an anti-theft alarm system plus, a multifunction display, automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror, rain sensing wipers, a tyre pressure monitor and automatic air conditioning (Climatronic), there's even six airbags, ESP and brake assist. Oh, and the bi-xenon headlights are standard too.

Volkswagen reckons sales of the new R32 will begin at the end of September in Germany, once the all-consuming Frankfurt motor show has concluded, and it will only be a matter of time after this that the German tuners get their hands on the R32, which we'll report on in due course.

Prices will begin at €32,200, and is expected to fetch between $65,000 and $70,000 when the car comes to Australia in the third quarter of 2006.