For a car that looks pretty much like a lowly Golf, VW's all-wheel-drive, V6-powered R32 is an elegant and amazingly sophisticated car. In Europe they're already moving on to version two.
Naturally, this new R32 is based on the Golf V body and architecture, and under the hood is the 3.2-liter V6 that was used in the previous R-car, feeding VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system (Quattro in Audi-speak). The V6 produces 250 bhp and a deep well of torque, which is channeled through either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional dual-clutch DSG (direct-shift gearbox) gear. The Volks folks are claiming the new car is quicker than the old, racing from 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in 6.2 seconds instead of 6.5 when equipped with the DSG.
Like the original R32, this one is overstuffed with luxury features. Its unique appearance includes an aluminum-like (but not aluminum) front grille, a deep front air dam and side skirts all the way around the car. But the most distinctive view is in back, where twin center-mounted exhaust pipes complete the menacing appearance.
When VW came up with the first R32, it only expected to sell a few hundred, but the car's sales were three times the initial projections. There's little reason not to think this one will do just as well.
Prices start at C32,200 for the R32 that's on sale now. That's $39,292.77 at the conversion rate when this was written. We don't know when, or if, it will come to North America.
The Looong EVO X Tease Continues
We've seen spy shots and illustrations, reported on rumors and run our speculation generator until it spun all its bearings-but yes, here's even more tantalizing hype about Mitsubishi's upcoming Lancer Evolution X.
This is the Sportback Concept that was shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The Sportback is basically the five-door version of the next Lancer, and the next Lancer is the base upon which Mitsu will erect the EVO.
Factoring out the normal concept car overflow of crap, this car is probably wearing fenders too wide, an air dam too low, a hood too deeply vented and headlights too squinty. It's also obvious that the shape underlying all that frou-frou is far more athletic and interesting than the plain box the current Lancer has been styled after. Leave the wide fenders, big air dam and vented hood on, throw on an intercooler and some oversize driving lights, and you're likely looking at something that looks much like the EVO X.
So what else do we know about the EVO X? At the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2004, the 'Bishi boys displayed the Concept X, which is just a lightly disguised EVO X. But we're also hearing big rumors too, including that the car will feature a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine making a minimum of 320 hp with top models making more than 400 hp. Maybe 450. All-wheel drive will return as will a more sophisticated suspension.
Ah hell, if we're going to keep speculating, we also hear Mitsubishi has a patent pending that would repeal at least four of the laws of thermodynamics every time someone turns the ignition key on an EVO X.
The EVO X arrives the middle of next year-if, that is, the universe doesn't collapse in on itself during development testing.