Volkswagen Golf R32
Since I was little I was lulled by the melodies of 6 cylinders. It began in 1993 if I remember correctly, when I was 9 years old and my father came to afford a BMW 325td, since there was always the 6 cylinder in the family .. After 325td, the Z3 coupe 2.8l, a model already sportier coupe format, and the gasoline engine requires! Unfortunately for me, my father sold it in late 2003, a year before I got the license, to replace an old BMW 525TDS break (station wagon diesel … holy change).
When I got the permit I first buy a golf4 TDI excellent car, but the sound of 6 I missed too many. But then having a post and before commercial use my own car for more than 1000km per week out of the question for me opted for a gasoline model. So I bought a 330d (6-line, diesel). Having subsequently resumed my studies at the FCC who really need to use my car “for fun” I was tempted to buy something more sporty, and most importantly, gasoline!
Thus began a long period of research and testing … 33OCi, M3 3.2, etc. Golf R32.
The R32
You understand my attachment to 6 cylinder cars to sports and more specifically to the beautiful German. So naturally I’ve been trying several R32.
The Look
The design of a car is like the physique of a person .. It is a matter of taste, each to his preferences, however, seeing some car model, it happens that one can safely say it is not likely to please many people … It is not the case with the R32. Outwardly, it stands out clearly in a golf “Classic” bumpers and rocker specific 18-inch wheels … We are facing a real sport. However, it remains relatively unobtrusive and does not attract much more attention than 33OCi, some people are tuning enthusiast also able to make a simple Ford Fiesta 1.1 L more conspicuous than R32. Personally, I think the R32 is very beautiful, she is athletic but is still sober, not too “you see me? .
Inside it’s bucket seat and leather. The counter is surrounded aluminum and scratched a R32 logo. This counter is also available on other models but they are rare Golf4, I had the chance to have one like this one on my TDI 115. (Obviously, the R32 logo on the meter is now on the R32, and the scale of km / h rises still higher on the R32).
For the rest inside remains the same as a golf4 well equipped. The finish quality is excellent, the materials, plastics are of good quality and nice touch.
Technical
Before starting the engine to start this test, see more closely what we have here as a car.
The R32 is equipped with a V-6 engine of 3189 cm3 (3.2l) 24-valve power is 241ch at 6250 rpm. Rated torque of 320Nm at 2800 R32 displays rpm. Its weight is about 1500 kg for a power to weight ratio of about 6.27kg/ch. The maximum speed advertised by VW is 241km / h, the meter may be exceeded this speed 
but hey, the counters are not “accurate” and at those speeds the difference between the actual speed and target speed can exceed the 10km / h. For everyday use it is already more than enough, and it is possible to have withdrawn the license while driving a few tens of km / h below the speed is no weak point on this side
The O 100 is announced in 7 seconds. I think that number may actually stick to reality.
0 to 200 km / h is shot in 5.28 seconds and the 1000m standing start in 27.2 seconds.
That is, with what it says on the paper number of sports fans might be tempted by a test, right?
The road
So I planned my tests. I spotted several R32, telephoned individuals and made an appointment.
I arrived before the first R32 I would try .. She was black, black leather, all original. The owner has given me the keys .. The trial could begin. I start the engine and behind the ear, stalled the purr of the engine does not turn me on more than that .. I pass the first hop and a kick start … The R32 grows more than my 330d but hey, that was certain beforehand.
Side view of the road, on the ground, chassis … it’s very good. But I never blamed anything to golf4 on that side, I said that even I try to TDI that golf4 with sports suspension is always floor (225/45/17 for my TDI 115 for example).
By cons, with the R32 is up another notch with a full pass! (= 4motion 4 wheel drive). But to feel the difference with a golf “simple” tension must nevertheless already applied for the car and then take turns at speeds far unreasonable. My TDI 115 when cornering fast tended to drawn a nose .. The phenomenon is feeling a little less on the R32. In short, for normal use on roads and even to conduct enough sports, you can not really make too many complains about this car on that side .. After it is still a matter of taste, personally I prefer to drive cars (eg BMW) because they are more about understeer that is to say that the rear of the car “running” faster than the front (it’s short ass is at risk of spinning).
The picture seems so wonderful and one could believe I found it an exceptional car that will be able to fill me .. But, no. As I understand you’ve done above the sound of the engine very important to me. It is clear that his side, the R32 sings better than 6 Diesel, however, I wanted a 6 different essences and entrancing not only a “6 better than …”.
Same side acceleration, R32 grows strong enough to agree, but the engine really lacks soul.
Conclusions
The R32 is a great car, powerful, agile and beautiful. Its look is sporty but she knows how to stay discreet, “going well” in the traffic. However, I remain disappointed by the engine, I expected something more dynamic, and above all, to sound more compelling. Now, everybody does not attach much importance to the sound of the engine and the rest, it is really nice. A board anyway if you intend to buy one, also tried 330Ci image is a little less sporty but somewhat more luxurious side perf are pretty much the same but the engine of the 330Ci is really over that of VW in terms of driveability and sound, BMW is hoarse and low speed it becomes acute and metal in the towers, and BMW is the magic that is completely mesmerizing. Go try it yourself these cars and share your opinion!
