Andrew Koch reviews the R series from Volkswagon
Volkswagen invented the GTI segment in the 1970’s and now, with the second generation R32, they attempt to raise the bar further.
The Mk5 Golf GTI is a cracker, ask anyone that’s driven one and they will tell you it handles, brakes and has more than adequate power from it’s 2 litre four cylinder turbo. But what if you want more – bigger brakes and wheels, maybe a six cylinder or even four wheel drive, where to turn?
Well look no further than your Volkswagen dealer because there you will find the latest R32 Golf with an 184kw V6 with 4Motion (that’s VeeDub speak for four wheel drive). Along with the impressive drive train you get larger brakes, six speed manual gearbox, dual chrome tipped exhausts and Bi Xenon headlights. The R32 can be easily distinguished from its siblings by its chrome grill; 20 spoke, 18 inch wheels; unique body kit and 20mm lowered stance.
With the R32 you get the option of three or five doors, manual or auto DSG gearbox and slight increase in power. Inside you will find perfectly positioned alloy foot pedals, sports seats and steering wheel. The DSG gearbox, as always, is a joy to drive and listening to the 3.2 litre V6 roar as the gears change up and down will almost certainly initiate a smile on your face. There will be some of you who will want a manual gearbox regardless of the auto’s quicker 0 to 100 time
Though this is the most powerful production Golf in history, the R32 has some stiff competition, such as the WRX STi, Mitsubishi EVO, BMW 130 and the Audi S3.
However the biggest rival comes from within the VW group in the form of the Golf GTI. Granted the front wheel drive GTI won’t stick to the road around corners like the R32 will, especially in the wet, but don’t forget the GTI is almost 200kg’s lighter and over 10 grand cheaper. That’s a lot of money when you start ticking the option list. It really comes down to if you like the setup of the front wheel drive turbo or four wheel drive naturally aspirated V6.
The R32 is a blast to drive and you really can’t get enough of that engine note.
AUTO FACTS – R32
- Price: $54,990 – $58,790
- Engine: 3.2-litre V6 petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
- Power: 183kW, 320Nm
- Fuel: Combined Cycle: 9.8, 10.8
Looking for something a little larger, then VW’s Passat R36 is, unquestionably, the coolest-looking Passat you can buy today. With its close-to-the-ground stance, 10-spoke wheels, and aggressive-looking aero bits, it isn’t a product that you would not normally associate the circular ‘VW’ badge.
Volkswagen’s most powerful Passat ever, the R36, which we’ve been hearing about for over a year, is finally on sale in Oz in both sedan and wagon versions. Featuring their 4MOTION system to put the 220Kw and 350Nm of torque to the ground, VeeDub claims that the sedan can get to 100 kilometres per hour in 5.6 seconds – and even though I didn’t have my stop watch handy it felt pretty damn close. The wagon is a few hundredths slower in the sprint to 100, but both boast a top speed limited to 250kms/hr.
Besides the power train updates, the R36 gets a unique body kit, Bi-Xenon headlights and a new grille. Chassis enhancements include 18-inch rims, new brake calipers and most importantly, a 20mm lowering of the ride height. A blindingly bright turned-aluminium dash appliqué matches the new alloy pedals and sill plates, while new seats give a very snug fit. The base-price is encroaching on Audi territory, though not one featuring 220Kw. Now that Volvo’s V70R is no longer available, the station wagon model (my favourite) offers lots of performance and utility in a much more refined manner than your typical station wagon.
AUTO FACTS – R36
- Price: $65,590 – $67,590
- Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Power: 220kW, 350Nm
- Fuel: Combined Cycle: 10.7
The final addition to the current R line-up is the grand daddy of them all, the R50. The R50 is based on the Touareg TDI with VeeDub’s 5.0L V10 diesel engine. In the R50 guise, the V10 gets an extra tweak to pump more pressurized air from the twin turbo to produce 258kW and a torque of 850Nm. Still a little more expensive than going under the knife for a face lift, but a hell of a lot more exciting and less painful.
On a combined cycle, that is for those that sedately drive around the city and the highway, you can achieve an amazing 12.6 litres per 100kms which on its massive 100 litre tank will get you almost 800ks to the tank.
The R50 does 0-100 in only 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of just over 233km/hr, which is amazing for a piece of metal weighing over 2.5 tonnes. Plus you’ll be styling and profiling on 21-inch rims framing bright blue calipers and sporting 295mm tyres.
The front gets a revised bumper and a grille coated in a matte finish, while flared wheel arches and new side skirts give the R50 a more planted persona. The inside gets swathed in Nappa leather complete with the ‘R50’ logo stitched into the seats and engraved into the doorsills.
AUTO FACTS – R50
- Price: $134,990
- Engine: 5.0-litre V10 diesel
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Power: 258kW, 850Nm
- Fuel: Combined Cycle: 12.6
