Fitted with 345mm discs up front and 310mm units out back, the slightly portly 3300lb. car had no problem bringing the momentum down to a halt. Our drive route didn't really permit repeated use of the brakes, but during hard use there was no detectable fade. A couple of jabs at autobahn speed confirmed the big calipers' grasp of the R32.
The interior is as progressive as any recent Volkswagen, which is to say, it's a quite pleasant place to be, if slightly Bauhaus in design for our taste. The polished, triangulated aluminum pieces that adorn much of the dash and center console are more reminiscent of a '50's style diner than of a sporting machine. Sure, carbon fiber is becoming played out, but it may be as much a staple to performance as wood is to luxury. Give us carbon fiber, please.
VW has done an excellent job of straddling the fine line that exists between a performance car and a yuppie-mobile. Now the question is whether we'll get it on our side of the ocean at all.
They're sketchy about the details, but there is a chance we'll have a 300-bhp, 3.6L version, provided a few issues with the DSG transmission's ability to handle the increased torque can be dealt with.
If the R32 we just drove is any indication of things to come, there's good reason to keep your fingers crossed.
2006 VW Golf R32Estimated Price: TBD (32,200 Euro)
EngineEngine Code: BJSType: V6, iron block, aluminum headValvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinderDisplacement: 3189ccBore x Strok: 84.0mm x 95.9mmCompression Ratio: 10.9:1Claimed Crank Hp: 250 @ 6300 rpmClaimed Crank Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 2500 rpmRedline: 6500 rpm
DrivetrainLayout: Transverse front engine, all-wheel drive
TransmissionGear Ratios 6MT1: 3.36:12: 2.09:13: 1.47:14: 1.09:15: 0.86:16: 0.71:1Final drive: 4.24:1
ChassisChassis Code: A5Exterior dimensionsCurb Weight: 3329 lbs. "inc. driver"Overall Length: 167.8 in.Wheelbase: 101.5 in.Overall Width: 69.3 in.Track F/R: 60.4 in./59.6 in.Height: 57.7 in.
SuspensionFront: MacPherson struts with lower control arms, anti-roll barRear: Four link with separate spring/shock absorber arrangement, anti-roll bar
BrakesFront: 13.6-inch vented discs w/ABSRear: 12.2-inch solid discs w/ABSElectronic driving aids/inhibitors: EPBD, ESP, ASR
Wheels and TireszWheels: 18x8.5-inch aluminumTires: 225/40R18
Not only does the DSG perform sweet little tricks like throttle-blipped downshifts, it shifts faster and cleaner than any human possibly could-VW claims DSG R32s hit 60 mph 0.3 seconds faster than 6-speed manual versions.