Search Car Reviews



See all makes



Super-Golf Tees Off

If you thought that Golf was a tame sport, then it's time to think again. The exclusive pictures in this week's mag show the new R32, and Auto Express can reveal that a storming 255bhp is set to make this fastest-ever incarnation of VW's family hatch a real powerhouse.

By Craig Cheetham

02nd June 2004

Lower and meaner-looking than the GTI, which will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the R32 will go head-to-head with the forthcoming performance version of BMW's 1-Series and the existing 3.2-litre Audi A3. It will boast a unique chrome grille surround to distinguish it from its stablemate. Our shots also show the Golf's brand new door mirrors, mesh detailing and purposeful front splitter.

At the rear, the car will gain a body-coloured spoiler and discreet R32 badging, along with quadruple exhaust pipes emerging from the back bumper. As with the previous R32, the newcomer will be powered by a V6 engine, but according to one insider it will have even more grunt than the car it replaces.

"If you look at the latest developments of the 3.2 FSI engine, particularly in the Audi A6, you'll get a good idea of what will be under the bonnet of the next R32," he told us. "The emphasis will be on smoothness, as opposed to the raw feeling of the GTI, but the machine will be fast and rewarding to drive."

In sharing the A6's 255bhp powerplant, the R32 is expected to boast a 0-60mph sprint time of less than six seconds and a top speed that will be electronically limited to 155mph.

The fastest-ever Golf will come with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG auto transmissions - the latter making its UK debut in the model. The out-going R32 was offered with DSG in Europe, but British machines were all manual. Both transmissions will use a derivative of the Haldex 4Motion four-wheel drive from the current R32. However, it will have an improved traction control system, sending power to the wheels with the most grip under hard acceleration and through corners.

In a bid to boost sales, the newcomer will come in both three and five-door bodystyles. VW has hinted that the badge won't be exclusively reserved for the Golf. "R32 has become an indicator for upmarket performance, and there is no reason why it couldn't appear on other models," added our insider. That means an R32 version of next year's new Passat is on the cards, as well as a performance flagship variant of the Concept C coup΃©-cabriolet, which is set to join the VW stable in 2005.

Neither of these cars will be available from model launch, though, as VW says the Golf R32 itself won't make its public debut until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005. It's likely to appear in concept form at next spring's Geneva expo, and will be launched as a production machine six months later at the German exhibition, with left-hand-drive sales starting in November.

British showrooms will not get their own R32s until initial demand has been met on the Continent. This means that sales are not likely to start here until January or February 2006.

When they do, though, buyers can expect a price tag of at least ΂£25,000 for the three-door manual car, rising to about ΂£27,000 for the five-door DSG.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -