Many times, good things do come in small packages. The 2008 Volkswagen R32 personifies that colloquialism. After a three-year absence, Volkswagen has brought back the Mk V R32 in grand fashion. The German automaker has scheduled production for only 5,000 in a bid to heighten demand for this performance sport compact that competes with the likes of the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX.
Last summer, VW offered the R32 to current GTI owners, pre-selling nearly 1,000. Parts & People was fortunate enough to recently get behind the wheel of the R32, albeit for only a week. We weren't disappointed.
At a casual glance, the R32 could easily be mistaken for a GTI save for the R32 badging.
Onlookers may not know that under the hood is a 3.2-liter narrow-angle 24-valve VR-6 that puts out 250 HP and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. This hatchback is capable of rocketing from 0-60 MPH in 6.4 seconds.
All this power is delivered via the 6-speed dual-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission, a feature that lets the driver electronically shift the transmission via paddle shift controls on the steering wheel. The DSG dual-clutch transmission uses direct shifting that automatically engages and disengages gears without a clutch pedal, via a computer that engages one clutch on the next gear needed, just as it releases the other clutch from the previous gear.
VW officials claim this setup is far more efficient than a traditional manual transmission. Given the smoothness of acceleration, we couldn't agree more. The powertrain is backed by a five-year/60,000-mile warranty.
The final ingredient in the R32's balanced mix of power and handling is the 4Motion all-wheel-drive setup with Haldex, making it seem as if the car rides on rails.
This system nearly eliminates over- and understeer problems and allows the tires to hug the road around tight corners; even with extreme acceleration, there's no torque steer. The Haldex system distributes power between the front and rear wheels, adjusting to driving conditions. If the system deems it necessary, up to 75 percent of the power can be transferred to the rear wheels. When no wheel slippage is detected, the system defaults to powering the front axle.
The sport-tuned suspension on the R32 -- a coil-over setup in the front and four-link in the rear -- enhances handling.
A vehicle that can hurl itself down a road this quickly must be able to stop just as fast. Volkswagen engineers paid attention to detail with the braking system.
The R32 comes equipped with oversized, ventilated brake rotors in the front and rear suitable for quick stops on the street or the track. The system uses VW's Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) system, which determines how much pad force is applied to each rotor based on driving conditions. It also helps boost brake pressure in emergency-stopping situations.
Those who like to show off their brake hardware won't be disappointed as the OE calipers don blue paint. The blue calipers are visible through the alloy 18-inch 10-spoke wheels wrapped in low-profile performance tires.
As with all V Dubs, the interior of the R32 has tight tolerances and is mostly black, with red accents and stitching on the black leather seats. Brushed metal accents are also sprinkled throughout the interior for a sporty look.
After the test drive, VW officials reported that the R32 won the 2008 IntelliChoice.com Best Overall Value in its Base Sport class. We agree with their assessment; the R32 offers a lot of performance features for the money. The tested R32 rolled in at $35,430, which includes a DVD navigation system ($1,800) and a $640 destination charge.
2008 Volkswagen R32
Engine
Type: 6-cylinder, gas
Arrangement: front-mounted traverse
Cylinder block: cast iron
Cylinder heads: aluminum
Bore: 3.31 inches
Stroke: 3.78 inches
Displacement: 194.6 inches x3
Compression Ratio: 10.58:1
Horsepower: 250 at 6,300 RPM
Torque: 236 ft.-lbs. at 2,500-3,000 RPM
Transmission
Type: six-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic
Drivetrain: 4Motion AWD with Haldex
Body, chassis, brakes, and suspension
Body: Compact 2-door hatchback
Wheel base: 101.5 inches
Curb weight: 3,547 pounds
Front suspension: Independent McPherson struts, tubular antiroll bar
Rear suspension: Four-link rear suspension with separate shock absorbers, tubular antiroll bar
Brakes: Power-assisted oversized ventilated front and rear rotors
Wheels: 18-inch alloy
Tires: 225/40 R18 92Y XL summer performance
Performance/fuel consumption
0-60: 6.4 seconds
MPG city: 18
MPG highway: 23