Tuesday 27th September 2005

VW reveals spec for top Golf

Prices in line with expectations

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Golf R32

Volkswagen has priced and confirmed the spec for the top-of-the-range Golf, the R32. The four-wheel drive Golf goes on sale in the UK in November, with a starting price of £23,745 OTR for the 3-door manual version.

The updated version of the well-familiar, narrow-angle 3.2-litre V6 (VW used to call it the VR6 but figured that sounded too German) offers 247bhp, compared to the GTI's 197bhp -- although the GTI costs just under £4,000 less.

VW reckoned the four-wheel drive 4MOTION R32 offers the most comprehensive standard specification of any Golf. Standard kit includes:

• Bi-xenon headlights
• Climatronic air conditioning
• A ten-speaker audio system
• Rain sensor wipers with auto-dimming rear view mirror
• Sports suspension – lowered by approximately 20mm
• 18-inch alloys

External features include a full-length aluminium grille, centrally-positioned twin exhaust pipes, darkened rear lenses, front spoiler with air scoops, plus a full-depth painted rear bumper and blue brake callipers.

The inside offers the usual sporty bits, such as sports seats, aluminium pedals, and leather with aluminium trimmed gear knob and steering wheel. Recaro bucket seats are a option from £945.

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[combover]

Too many slats all over the place and too expensive compared to the GTI. The GTI has a better badge and better legacy.

Just my opinion of course, but I wouldn't buy one.

[Dickster]

I prefer the other shape myself and no matter what, it's still quite a bit for a golf?

[the pits]

Wasn't the old one nearer 28k loaded? Residuals on that must be taking a hit with the new one at 23k. Good. It's better looking and lighter I'd imagine with, oh my 7 less horsepower. Why are VW so tight - that car should be 280 bhp minimum to keep up with the Subarus and Mitsubishis!

[fergy]

That is a lot of money for a golf... not saying it will be a bad car but that is the base price a few extras and DSG and it will be a £28k car...yikes !!!

[jas16]

somehow it doesnt quite work for me

[GTRene]

I say, for what you get the money for the car is oké...only 4.000,- more then a GTI, and you get a lot more special stuf like 4wd and engine and more!
But yes, it could use more grunt, at least 280hp standard with a car like that, but I think they don't dare because it would be les reliable then...so more claims when things breake down?
annyway, 280hp at least and bucketseats will do fine (to start with)
René

[Painey]

Looks horrible if you ask me, nowhere near as nice as the original one. Speaking of that, I've heard of some update VW dealers can do to the ECU thet gives them approx an extra 20bhp anyway so not only does it not look as nice, it's less powerful too!

[AlexH]

combover said:

Too many slats all over the place

Nasty wheels too. Will it be any good to drive though?

[dberkmen]

According to Autocar today it's also 64kg heavier than the previous model, I think I'll stick with that for the time-being

[potatoboy666]

the previous r32 was a hell of a lot better and less fat

[R988]

That looks so bland compared to the old one, TBH I never really thought much of the old one anyway, but it looks good compared to this.

Why dont those conservative wimps at VW stop pissing about with pointless Bugattis and twin charging lawnmower engines for base spec golfs, and wheel out a W8 Quad Turbo, double supercharged monstrosity shoved into the rear of an AWD golf with mega pumped arches and a F**K Off body kit.

If your gonna do a performance model you may as well do it properly

[r32]

Gotta say this new R32 really doesnt appeal to me. The looks just arent right.

Looks like a clio at the rear with the central exhausts, and the front grill just looks wrong imho.

Will be sticking with my MKIV version for a bit longer I think.

[AlexRWD]

Agree that the styling is over-fussy, not as good looking as prev R32, or current GTi

[Rob_the_Sparky]

Why the stupidly large alloys? and why is the size of the alloys now a selling point?

Seems to me a bigger is better culture has sprung up for alloys with no one stopping to think whether that is actully a good idea or not!

[wolfsburg]

Everything they got right about the mkIV R32 they've got wrong about the mkV.
Released it at the end of the model cycle.
Developed a new engine with lots of extras.
Limited numbers to UK and to specific dealers.
Added new body kit to make it stand out from the rest.

From the front we've got a golf plus variant as a normal production golf.

Underestimated the buyer and overestimated their confidence.

[Witchfinder]

AlexH said:

Nasty wheels too. Will it be any good to drive though?

That's easily sorted though, and you could probably get a lot of cash for brand new genuine R32 wheels - more than enough to cover a set of good aftermarket wheels and tyres.

[musketeer]

This car is d**d ugly.

[xJib]

If you add Bi-xenon, 18-inch alloys and a few extra options that are standard on the R32, then the GTi is over £22k. So that makes the gap less than £2k. And you do get 4motion. Personally I like the new Golf. Also I’d have one over a BMW 130i, probably the R32’s natural rival.

>> Edited by xjib on Thursday 29th September 09:54

[chris_h]

Those wheels would be a pig to clean!!!

[Big Ashy]

Personally, I still can`g get my head around the looks of the MK V, which ever variant! I still prefer the MK IV R32 and wouldn`t change it for a V, anyone who does needs their head feeling!!