Never before has a standard Golf been fitted with such a powerful engine as the new R32. Its 3.2 litre V6 engine also powers Volkswagen’s new luxury saloon, the Phaeton. The six-cylinder engine transversely-mounted in the R32 has an output of 177 kW / 241 hp (at 6250 rpm) and catapults Europe’s most successful car to 100 km/h in a mere 6.6 seconds. After 26.7 seconds, the new Volkswagen has reached the kilometre mark from a standing start; its top speed is 247 km/h (153 mph). Throttle valve actuation has been designed in such way that the engine reacts with extraordinary spontaneity and agility to any accelerator pedal movement.
The maximum torque, a respectable 320 Newtonmeters (between 2800 and 3200 rpm) is distributed via a six-speed manual gearbox with shortened shift travel. Volkswagen fits 4MOTION four-wheel drive as standard in order to transmit the R32’s power onto the road in a superior and sporty manner. As in the case of all petrol engines in the Golf, the six-cylinder engine fitted in the R32 also satisfies the EU4 standard. The vehicle’s average consumption is 11.5 litres of Super Plus or premium-grade petrol with a RON of at least 95.
Engine: The 3.2 litre V6 engine in detail
Design: The four-valve six-cylinder engine in the R32 is characterised by an especially narrow V-angle of 15 degrees. The cylinder head is fitted with two overhead camshafts including continuous inlet and exhaust camshaft adjustment. The inlet camshaft adjustment angle is 52 degrees, that of the exhaust camshaft 22 degrees. The valves are driven by roller rocker fingers with hydraulic play compensation. An individual ignition coil is assigned to each cylinder.
The technical concept of the 3.2 litre V6, with its 7-fold suspended crankshaft, is similar to that of the 2.8 litre engine which drives the Golf, Bora and Sharan V6, etc. Its further development has nevertheless been so extensive that this virtually represents a new generation of this engine. Its displacement is 3189 cm3, with a bore and stroke of 84.0 and 95.9 millimetres respectively (2.8 litre engine: 81.0 x 90.3). The V6’s compression ratio is 11.3:1.
This increase in specific characteristic performance values is not merely attributable to increased displacement. In order to obtain considerably improved torque and output characteristics, the entire intake system has been redesigned. This was achieved by optimising the flow geometry of the plastic intake manifold and the ports in the cylinder head.
The cylinder head is a new development, not least because of this. The inlet and exhaust ports, for example, reveal greater flow cross-sections and therefore improved flow capacity thanks to their considerably modified form. The inlet ports’ aperture into the cylinder head has been raised, with the result that flow deflection into the valve area is carried out with little loss. The engineers additionally increased the diameter of the inlet valves and optimised the contour of the valve seat inserts.
Exhaust system / sound: The twin-branch exhaust system has also been redesigned. On the one hand, this contributes to compliance with the EU4 standard. On the other hand, it delivers precisely what sporty drivers expect from a sporty vehicle: A throaty sound. In the case of the R32, our acoustic specialists have achieved tuning which turns each tunnel into an experience but which, at the same time, does not become overpowering during long journeys.
Running gear: Superior basic layout and 4MOTION four-wheel drive
Front axle: Since the model series came into being, the Golf’s running gear layout has influenced entire automobile generations in the international compact 
class. This particularly applies to the current version. Its McPherson strut concept with lower wishbones on the front axle is recognised as one of the best axle systems on the market.
Rear axle: The four-wheel drive Golf R32 is also equipped with independent wheel suspension at the rear; the wheels are guided by means of a multi-link construction with forged double wishbones and trailing arms. These are mounted on a subframe and are connected to the chassis via vibration-damping rubber elements. This rear axle design enables 4MOTION four-wheel drive to be installed. The stabilisers on both axles have been significantly reinforced (in comparison with the Golf V6).
The R32’s running gear has also been lowered by 20 millimetres in comparison with the standard vehicle; in comparison with the Golf V6, this difference is 10 millimetres. The dampers and springs fitted in the R32’s sports running gear are procured from two suppliers who are specialists for demanding requirements in standard production and motor sport.
The steering in the R32 has also been entirely re-tuned; with its more direct ratio, this Golf can be driven in an extremely agile manner.
4MOTION: The best of the front and rear-wheel drive worlds
Design: Volkswagen’s 4MOTION four-wheel drive system is a key technology in terms of a sporty and above all, safe, driving style. The core element of this mode of power transmission to all four wheels is a so-called Haldex clutch on the rear axle gear. Its hydraulic and electronic systems independently recognise whether the front or rear wheels (due, for example, to the condition of the road or high output requirements) have more grip, and distribute the drive power accordingly to both axles.
Handling characteristics: The 4MOTION drive’s work goes primarily unnoticed by the R32 driver. He merely perceives that no excessive understeering or oversteering occurs. And that no wheel slip is noticeable even on wet road surfaces and on rapid acceleration out of tight curves; in addition, extreme spurts are possible without steering drag. Nor is any drive tension whatsoever perceptible when manoeuvring into tight parking spaces. The elements of four-wheel drive and a 241 hp V6 engine therefore make the R32 a unique combination in its class, the Golf class.
Brakes: Large, internally ventilated disk brakes at the front and rear (diameter: Front 334 mm, rear 256 mm) ensure that the R32 is decelerated appropriately. The technical basis of the front axle brake system is also fitted in the Passat W8. The blue-painted brake callipers behind the 18″ “Aristo” alloy wheels are clearly discernible. The wheels are fitted with 225/40 ZR 18 tyres; their width also has a positive effect on deceleration values. The active safety system, comprising neutral, basic running gear tuning, 4MOTION four-wheel drive and a high-performance brake system, is optimised by numerous additional safety systems. In addition to obligatory ABS and electronic brake pressure distribution (EBD), these particularly include the sports version of the electronic stability programme ESP with integrated brake assistant, which has been specifically tuned to the R32.
Body: Pure dynamism of a compact sports car
With its output of 177 kW / 241 hp, the Golf R32 is not merely exceptional in the compact class in terms of its V6 engine and standard 4MOTION four-wheel drive. Indeed, the modifications which the new model has undergone also extend to the body and the passenger compartment. In doing this, the committed development team has designed an optical and equipment package which makes the new R32 unmistakable both inside and out.
Initially, Volkswagen will offer the R32 exclusively as a powerfully-designed two-door vehicle - a four-door version will follow later in the year. In particular, the front and rear ends have undergone extensive modification in order to meet the new requirements attributable to the technology which is employed and the increases in performance.
Exterior modifications: At the front, the new model distinguishes itself from the standard version thanks to an extremely dynamic bumper design. To be more specific, the shape and function of three large, honeycomb-design air inlet grilles in the lower area of the front apron awaken clear associations with thoroughbred sports cars; an indication of the 3.2 litre engine’s increased cooling air requirements. The bumper, which has been entirely redeveloped, additionally stretches low down and simultaneously assumes the task of an effective front spoiler. Optically, corresponding chrome-plated lettering in the radiator grille identifies the R32, which reaches a top speed of 247 km/h.
The R32’s flanks are dominated by its widened sills and specifically redesigned 18″ “Aristo” alloy wheels. With their total of 15 spokes, these wheels reinterpret the topic of spoke wheels in an entirely new way. This design additionally ensures optimum brake system cooling. As the running gear is 20 millimetres lower than that of the standard version, the wheel and tyre combinations - at least this is what the optical appearance suggests - almost completely fill out the wheel housing; an image which is otherwise found only in motor sport.
Between the wheels, the new, widened sills form a positive, optical link to the front and rear aprons, which reach down lower than those in the classic Golf.
In the same manner as the front bumper, the rear bumper has also been redesigned and harmoniously integrated into the body. The R32 project team has additionally integrated the twin-branched exhaust system’s two chrome-plated tailpipes into the rear apron. A perfectly aerodynamic spoiler edge, which reduces rear axle lift, is located above the tailgate.
All attaching body parts are basically painted in the body colour. Three R32 colours are available as standard: “reflex silver metallic”, “deep blue metallic” and “black magic pearl effect”. Darkened rear lights, xenon headlights, which are also fitted as standard, and exclusive, blue-tinted, heat-insulating windows round off the vehicle’s clear, technology-oriented optical appearance.
Passenger compartment: Refined sports seat system and aluminium parts
Interior modifications: The R32’s philosophy (displacement of 3.2 litres) also characterises the new Volkswagen’s passenger compartment. The front seat system, for example, which was already regarded as good in the standard version, has been entirely redesigned. With their especially pronounced lateral supports, the sports seats, which have been developed together with a German specialist, offer optimum restraint and maximum seating comfort even on long journeys far from any race track. The front headrests have been integrated into the seat backrests for the first time in the Golf. The front seats are heated as standard.
As in the seat backrests, the R logo is also found in the newly-designed leather-covered sports steering wheel (ergonomically upholstered rim), the 
instruments, the gearstick knob and the footmats, whose colour is coordinated with that of the seat covers.
In addition, the passenger compartment has been refined thanks to a multitude of components manufactured from brushed aluminium. This includes the pedals and the lateral footrest (separate R design), the handbrake release button, the centre console trim and the interior door release handles and openers. The robust but refined door sill strips are also manufactured entirely from aluminium; the R32 lettering is again located here - polished to a high sheen to offset it against the brushed background.
The speedometer, whose scale ranges up to 300 km/h, has been adapted to the top speed and redesigned. Like the rev. counter, this instrument is additionally framed with chrome trim rings. All of the instruments’ central gauge pointer anchoring buttons correspond to the colour of the aluminium components in the passenger compartment. The R32 is additionally distinguished from the other Golf models due to its modified instrument panel support.
Equipment: The R32’s full equipment is also uncompromisingly complete. This is based on the standard features fitted in the Golf V6, but has again been significantly extended in comparison with the series’ previous top model. For example, details such as an electronically-controlled automatic air conditioner (Climatronic), the gamma radio system, rain sensor, a rear-view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle setting or the anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring round off the extraordinary equipment package installed in this extraordinarily fascinating automobile.
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