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  • Volkswagen Golf R32 - VW's most powerful Golf
  • Volkswagen Golf R32 - VW's most powerful Golf
  • Volkswagen Golf R32 - VW's most powerful Golf
Magazine

Volkswagen Golf R32 - VW's most powerful Golf

Classic Driver

Volkswagen Golf R32 - VW's most powerful Golf The new Golf R32 has a top speed of 247 kph, having the same 3.2-litre V6 engine, with 320 Nm torque, as the VW Phaeton.

Never before has there been a standard Golf with such a powerful engine as the new R32. Its 177 kW, 3.2-litre V6 engine - which is also used in the new Phaeton - gives it a performance comparable to that of a sports car. This means that the R32 designed by Volkswagen can accelerate to 100 kph in just 6.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 247 kph. With this sporty top-of-the-range Golf, Volkswagen is introducing luxury-class technology into other market segments.

The technical features of this compact six-cylinder model include a continuously adjustable intake and exhaust camshaft, cylinder-selective knock control and variable intake manifold geometry. The power of the engine (up to 320 Nm) is transmitted to the standard 4MOTION four wheel drive via a six-speed gearbox with reduced gear gates. The R32's double exhaust system with twin chrome-plated tailpipes gives it a suitably distinctive sound.

Volkswagen Golf R32 - VW's most powerful Golf Visually, the new, top-of-the-range Golf is characterised by a sports running gear 20 mm lower than that of the standard model, 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 ZR 18 tyres, and significant design modifications to the front and rear sections.

Inside, brushed aluminium components including the pedals, centre console and gear lever, emphasise the dynamic design of the R32. The newly designed front sports seats with built-in head restraints and the special R32 leather steering wheel were conceived with the more sporty driver in mind.

The R32, which is initially only available as a two-door model, has a comprehensive range of standard equipment, including electronically controlled air conditioning, a "gamma” radio system with eight speakers, a multi-function display, a rain sensor, an automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror, heated seats and Xenon headlights with a headlight washer system.

The R32 is the top-of-the-range model in the Golf series, and its overall drive characteristics provide an impressive demonstration of the dynamic potential of the best selling car in the compact class. Not only that, but the R32 also shows what is possible when luxury class technology is transferred to smaller classes of vehicle. This is because the R32's combination of such a powerful, naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive as standard is still unique in this sector.

Text & images; VW Presse