Home » Car Reviews » Volkswagen » Volkswagen R32 » 2004 Volkswagen Golf R32 Compact Sport Sedan
2004 Volkswagen Golf R32 Compact Sport Sedan
Volkswagen R32 is ridiculously powerful
Car Review Of The 2004 Volkswagen Golf R32 Compact Performance Coupe
Base MSRP Range: $29,100
Base Invoice Range: $26,490
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MSRP As Tested: $30,625
Versions: R32 Coupe
Vehicle Category: Compact Performance Coupe
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: All Wheel Drive
Engine As Tested: 3.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, W12>, 240-horsepower at 6,250rpm and 236 lb-ft torque between 2,800 and 3,200 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 6-speed Manual .
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 19/26
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, power-assisted disc brakes, Antilock Braking System (ABS).
Competition: Mitsubishi EVO, Subaru WRX STI.
Review
Volkswagen executives must have looked at the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evolution before coming to a conclusion: "We want one of those!"
And who can blame 'em? The WRX and Evo are two of the hottest cars on the road, with frighteningly powerful engines, grippy all-wheel drive, and suspensions that make them corner like slot cars.
To match those Japanese hot rods, Volkswagen started with the tried-and-true Golf body and added enough performance upgrades to make it feel more like a racecar than a commuter vehicle. In fact, there were so many changes that VW decided to drop the Golf name and call it the R32 -- R as in racing, and 32 as in a big, 3.2-liter V6 under the hood. More on that later.
Unlike the competition from Subaru and Mitsubishi, though, the R32 doesn't resort to cheesy styling gimmicks like exaggerated hood scoops and monster spoilers that loom over the trunk. Instead, it relies on very subtle aerodynamic changes to improve downforce and engine cooling efficiency.
