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August 06
Edition

Pages in PDF

Regular
Features

› The Fat Lady
  Sings
  with JoAnn Pacholli

› In Tents Thawt
  with Mick Pacholli

› Sid's Comments
  with Sidney
  Somerville-Smith

› The Lie Detector
  with Mitchell
   Faircloth

› Fab's Ravings

› Technology
  with Chris Jacobs

› Your Views

› The Artful Stock Picker
  with
  Peter Hegarty

› Marketing Advice
  with Andrew Hickinbotham

› Family Issues
  with
  Marilyn Brideson

› The Culture of Appearance
  with
  Suzanne Walker

› Gallery Gazing

› Planet Clare

› Lovatts
  Crossword

› Social Scene
  with Ken James

› Live Theatre
  with Blair Edgar

› Movie Scene
  with
  Marcus Sinclair

› Entertainment
  with Gary Turner

› Grazing in the
  Suburbs
  with Mick Pacholli

› Fab's Travel

› Talking Manure
  with Mick Pacholli

› Furry Friends
  with
  Dr Graeme Smith

› Racing
  with Ted Ryan

› Rant & Rave
  with
  Paddles Hackett

› Bowls
  with Mick Pacholli

› Motoring
  with Garry Fabian

› Short Cuts
  Writers
  Competition

› Competitions

Golf R32 - The VW Rocket

[By Garry Fabian]

The latest release from VW, the Golf R32 adds a new dimension to the lineup, presenting the most powerful Golf ever produced in Wolfsburg. This latest model, follows in the footsteps of the Golf GTi turbo last year, and raises the stakes another notch for performance and excitement.

With a 3.2 lt V6 under the bonnet, a standard all-wheel platform and other refinements, the Golf R32, extends the “Hot Hatch” concept introduced by the GTi. The R32 is a gig performance production model that will provide ready access to a wider audience of performance car enthusiast, at a very competitive price level for this class of car.

The lively engine, that according to VW has a top speed in excess of 300km/h, but is factory limited to a top speed of 250 km/h reaches 0-100km in 6.5 seconds, while offering stability and handling that even the relative inexperienced river can handle with confidence.

Several body features have been added to the Golf platform, including a satin brushed grill, distinctive bumper bar. 18 inch standard alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, twin tail pipes, giving the car a very distinct sporty appearance at first glance.

This is carried through into the interior with leather sports seats, (or for the more discerning optional Recaro seats) leather steering wheel and gear knob, special instrumentation. Other features include dual zone airconditioning, 6-disc CD changer, low tire pressure indicator, six air bags. Other options include a glass sun roof and satellite navigation system.

The suspension, offering a good balance of sporting performance and handling, as well as comfort, has been lowered by 20mm, a thicker anti-roll bar, multi-link four link design rear axle and other refinements, adding to the stability of the car, both on the road, and out on the race track, where you can give it its head, and let the full power of the lively engine come into its own.

The R32 is available in four variations, a three door or a five door, six speed manual or six speed Direct Shift Gear Box (DSG) with steering wheel mounted tiptronic paddles.

Safety, always a big item with VW is high on the agenda, with added body stiffness, larger ventilated disc brakes, ABS, EBD, Anti-slip regulation (ASR) and electronic stabilization program (ESP), three rear head restraints, all adding to the package and providing peace of mind to driver and passengers.

The R32 is a superb package, that combines safety, performance, and above all fun, giving the driver a fell of always being in control, be it around town, out on the open road, or even in a closed racing style environment (should the be fortunate enough to get access to a racing track).

The pricing is very competitive against its rivals in this range, and will create considerable interest. Some 300 buyers have placed orders prior to the release of the car in Australia, giving an indication of the interest it has already created.

As I have said in previous reviews of VW’s in recent years, today’s products are light years removed from the early VW Beetles of the 1950’s and 1960’s, and now are a world class product that will take on all comers.

NUTS & BOLTS

Engine: 3.2 lt V6, 24 valves, producing 184 kW and 320 Nm. 0-100km 6.5 seconds
Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed direct shift

Suspension: front – independent McPherson struts with lower A-arms, anti-roll bar; rear – independent four-link with coil springs, anti-roll bar

Brakes: four-wheel discs, ABS, EDB;

Steering: electro-mechanical power assisted with rack and pinion

Dimensions: length 4246mm, width 1759mm, height 1465mm, wheelbase 2578mm, track front 1533m, rear 1515mm, fuel tank 60lts, turning circle 10.9m

Economy: 10.8 lt/100km (combined)

Price: three-door manual $54,900; DSG $57,990; five-door manual $56,490, DSG $58,790

Warranty: 3 Year/100,000 km; 3 Year Paintwork, 12 Year anti-corrosion.

Rivals: Subaru WRX STI; Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX; BMW 130i Sports; Audia A3 Quattro S-line

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