VW to bring MKV R32 to US by July 2007

http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_vw_highlights_lean/

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/r32/images/04.jpg


VW R32 Highlights Lean Product Year

Volkswagen AG plans to begin selling its sizzling 250-hp Golf R32 in the U.S. by July 2007, Ward's learns.

The flagship hatchback, the fastest Golf ever — with a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) — is highly coveted by U.S. enthusiasts but currently is available only in Europe. VW last year said there were no plans to bring the R32 to the U.S.

Powered by a 24-valve 3.2L V-6 that generates peak torque of 236 lb.-ft. (320 Nm) at 3,000 rpm, the R32, which debuted at the 2005 Frankfurt auto show, will be available with VW's Direct-Shift Gearbox dual-clutch transmission.

The R32's U.S. arrival will highlight an otherwise lean product year. The only other new VW offering expected next year is a refreshed Touareg CUV.
In stark contrast to this year, when VW rolls out significant new products, such as the revived Rabbit (Golf) small car, next year's lull worries brand CEO Wolfgang Bernhard.

In an analyst briefing, Bernhard admitted to being “concerned about the product renewal hiatus in 2007,” says Merrill Lynch's Stephen Reitman. He “reiterated his confidence that 2008's products would perform strongly, but he would not elaborate” on what they were.

Central to these plans are VW's minivan, based on Chrysler Group's products.


http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/r32/images/07.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/r32/images/10.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/r32/images/15.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/r32/images/z2.jpg

hopefully we get the 4 door version also...

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/r32/images/02.jpg

and maybe bring it to Canada this time? :furious: :mad:

that interior is beautiful

Not feeling it.

2 > 4 doors on this one...

Interesting... another car to think about next year. 2007/2008 is going to be awesome for cars.

There's a rumor that only the 4-door will come. I don't know how true that would be... HOWEVER, there's a 4-door in LA that has been stopped in SEVERAL locations and even a track day.

here's some pictures of the one spotted here...

In Malibu area...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/nacho483/mkvr32.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/nacho483/mkvr322.jpg

In Hollywood
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i172/leetarded/img043.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i172/leetarded/img042.jpg

And a track day...
http://zagovic.zoto.com/img/45/ba233d00683f0b95e8c91f6a933dfaf8-.jpg
http://zagovic.zoto.com/img/45/e95d0bfbd5a4d0515bbf35420bdf7e3e-.jpg

Wow, and I thought last model's wheels were bad...

hahahaha, I know! Id love to slap those front brakes on my GTi though. I believe the spec is 13.6" rotors

how much does it weigh

how much does it weigh
Probably ~3,400 lbs
'04 R32 was listed at 3,409 lbs

http://zagovic.zoto.com/img/45/e95d0bfbd5a4d0515bbf35420bdf7e3e-.jpg[/QUOTE]

Looks like a Mazda 3, except way hotter.

Probably ~3,400 lbs
'04 R32 was listed at 3,409 lbs

Yikes! I think for performance you'd be better off tweaking a GTI.

+1 on the 2 door

Probably ~3,400 lbs
'04 R32 was listed at 3,409 lbs

You are being WAY too optimistic. The current GTI weighs in at 3300 lbs with 6MT, and I am pretty sure all the added hardware including the AWD drivetrain will add at least 200lbs or more. I'd say it'll be well over 3500lbs.

shame that all vw are SLOW as hell!
i had one and those engines really suck!
its funny how the r32 has the same acceleration as the 2.0T that is dumb!

I thought we were getting the R36 also...

dont expect to get those seats or steering wheel.

I thought we were getting the R36 also...

The rumour was that VW would send the "R36" instead of the R32 to North America, with the Passat's 3.6L V6, in order to try to keep up with Subaru and Mitsubishi....I say, GOOD LUCK TO THAT! lol :D

its a nice looking car but until it losess 400 lbs and gains a turbo it`ll be just another slow @ss vw

here's some pictures of the one spotted here...

In Malibu area...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/nacho483/mkvr32.jpg



There are seven* cars in this picture. Only one of them isn't a bloated, overweight POS.

*EDIT: There are even more if you scroll over! But my statement stands.

You are being WAY too optimistic. The current GTI weighs in at 3300 lbs with 6MT, and I am pretty sure all the added hardware including the AWD drivetrain will add at least 200lbs or more. I'd say it'll be well over 3500lbs.
point taken. i saw on a website that the overseas '06 R32 weighs 1,590 kg...which is 3,505 lbs. caranddriver.com says 3,600 lbs..about the same as a BMW 530xi :lol:

Best motoring tested it and it was slower around a track than the BMW 130i. I am pretty sure it is slower than the 06 WRX's.

It will be just in time for a new Impreza. GTi/R32 won't be able to hold a candle to it.

Minimum 3400lbs and only 15more hp than a WRX.

:lol: and it will cost more than an STI.

VW drops the ball yet again.

Minimum 3400lbs and only 15more hp than a WRX.

:lol: and it will cost more than an STI.

VW drops the ball yet again.

Well said.

7 cars? i see at least 12!

Kudos to the 20-spoke rims :rolleyes:

Everything else :banana:

The R32 isn't really aimed at the WRX/STI crowd. My guess is that VW will have little trouble unloading four or five thousand of 'em in NA. It's just too bad that such a compact car is so damn heavy and that most likely it won't be out until next year.

Frankly I'm really interested in the next gen STI and EVO. Just hope that Mitsu doesn't retreat from the NA market.

that is the ugliest car out so far. rather have an suzuki! what happened to the two door? four dour is philthy!!!

R36, I thought it was the R34 in the UK?

They are redoing the Golf for '08 about two years ahead of schedule. This gen is too heavy, cost too much to make and is selling slow in the UK. Anyone else hear that?

Peace,

Greg

Sold! :alien:

The R32 isn't really aimed at the WRX/STI crowd. My guess is that VW will have little trouble unloading four or five thousand of 'em in NA. It's just too bad that such a compact car is so damn heavy and that most likely it won't be out until next year.

Frankly I'm really interested in the next gen STI and EVO. Just hope that Mitsu doesn't retreat from the NA market.

mitsu's prez said that the rumours about them retreating from the us market were based on statements taken out of context, and mitsu had no plans to pull out of the us.

Wow thats awesome VW...way to bring another unreliable POS over here! The fastest GTI ever huh; are they lost as to what fast is, except for the amount of time it takes for their cars to fall apart and the electronics to malfunction?

Wow, and I thought last model's wheels were bad...

yes, PITA to clean....

Minimum 3400lbs and only 15more hp than a WRX.

:lol: and it will cost more than an STI.

VW drops the ball yet again.

yep, but they will still sell a few....

I don't think they'll have any problem selling the new R32's...look at the MkIV model...used they still go for high $20's.

I thought I read that VW was having issues getting the 3.6L VR6 in with the DSG tranny in the Golf chassis...that's why we're getting the R32. Its basically a stopgap until they get the 3.6 to work.

Wow thats awesome VW...way to bring another unreliable POS over here! The fastest GTI ever huh; are they lost as to what fast is, except for the amount of time it takes for their cars to fall apart and the electronics to malfunction?
The vehicles built in Germany aren't the problem, it's the ones built in Mexico.

Generally, the sportier cars are built in Germany. The point A to point B vehicles are built in Mexico.

-Matt

that is the ugliest car out so far. rather have an suzuki! what happened to the two door? four dour is philthy!!!


Yeah, probably the only cars I've seen that are uglier are the WRX and STI.

30k for a 2 door hatch is not going to sell well here, its FWD too isn’t it? You’re better of with a POS Caliber SRT4. Four doors low-mid 20s and 300hp. If you want a small 2 door car that’s fun I’d say get a Mini Cooper S.

The vehicles built in Germany aren't the problem, it's the ones built in Mexico.

Generally, the sportier cars are built in Germany. The point A to point B vehicles are built in Mexico.

-Matt

The GTI is supposed to be a sportier car, and my friend's says made in mexico all over! Is that just some parts or all? 2002 GTI VR6 60K miles, hes had it for like 6 months and so far nothing wrong :banana: :lol:

that interior is beautiful

only part better then a WRX

i really do like everything except for the wheels and exhaust

30k for a 2 door hatch is not going to sell well here, its FWD too isn’t it? You’re better of with a POS Caliber SRT4. Four doors low-mid 20s and 300hp. If you want a small 2 door car that’s fun I’d say get a Mini Cooper S.

The R32 is AWD.

30k for a 2 door hatch is not going to sell well here, its FWD too isn’t it?

the R models are AWD

The GTI is supposed to be a sportier car, and my friend's says made in mexico all over! Is that just some parts or all? 2002 GTI VR6 60K miles, hes had it for like 6 months and so far nothing wrong :banana: :lol:

The R models are made in Germany....I'm pretty sure all the MkIV GTI's & Jettas are made in Mexico.

well, they've gone and made it fugly.

MkIV > MkV

well, they've gone and made it fugly.

MkIV > MkV
NFW... MkV by a longshot!

Both AUDI and VW have horrendous reliability ratings, I owned an 02 Jetta and have friends with newer Audis...all have rediculous electronic problems.

I own a WRX and a MkV GTI now and I have to say, it's a wonderful car.

I own a WRX and a MkV GTI now and I have to say, it's a wonderful car.

Agrizzle....

I've had a WRX, and an STi, and by far the GTI is the best daily driver I've ever owned of the like, 13 cars I've gone through already.

Everybody says that about a late model VW. The question is: how much will your opinion change over the course of 2 years? I've got a coworker ready to trade in his nice Passat for a crappy Altima just to not have to deal with the frequent repair bills anymore.

Both AUDI and VW have horrendous reliability ratings, I owned an 02 Jetta and have friends with newer Audis...all have rediculous electronic problems.

vw is the most reliable of the german stuff from personal experience... bmw/audi/porsche all pretty rough. if you're really concerned about that kind of thing (i am) overall rating is pretty easy... jap > german >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> domestic

That's very hot. A bit too expensive for my taste though. You can bet that I'll be test driving the MKV GTI 5 door when it gets here this summer!

~~Quentin

Everybody says that about a late model VW. The question is: how much will your opinion change over the course of 2 years? I've got a coworker ready to trade in his nice Passat for a crappy Altima just to not have to deal with the frequent repair bills anymore.

That is a very, very good question. Which is why I most likely won't have the car for more than 2 years.... just to play it safe ;)

my 81 Rabbit, 83 Rabbit, 87 Jetta GLI 16v, 88 Jetta GLI 16v, 84 Jetta GLI, 91 Golf, 59 Bug, and 94 Jetta never gave me many problems...


My 91 Corrado G60 and 90 Corrado G60Turbo did though lol those cars are crap unless they are meticulously (sp) cared for and taken care of.

whats with the weird midget mobiles all of sudden. They all look EXACTLY the same.

All I have to say is "I don't need a made up character named FAST"... :lol:

All I have to say is "I don't need a made up character named FAST"... :lol:


wow, funny about a month ago, but still good I guess :rolleyes:

The vehicles built in Germany aren't the problem, it's the ones built in Mexico.

Generally, the sportier cars are built in Germany. The point A to point B vehicles are built in Mexico.

-Matt

Is this just a random claim? Do you have any info to back this up? My mom's wolfsburg 96 passat has had quite a few problems. It's a TDI so we can assume it is a "point A to point B vehicle"... so why was it built in Germany? My car is a TDI and it was built in Mexico.... I have not had 1 serious problem. This car feels much more solid than my '03 wrx. The majority of MKV owners have come to the conclusion that there is no qualitative differences between MKV's built in Mexico compared to Germany. It's like saying the Legacy is lower quality than the JDM ones because it was built in the US, I think that claim was shot down a while ago.

Both AUDI and VW have horrendous reliability ratings, I owned an 02 Jetta and have friends with newer Audis...all have rediculous electronic problems.

While I can't speak for the Jetta, the A4 is probably closer to average for reliability.

I'm on my third A4, which I bought last August. My A4 has every option except nav and I have yet to have a single issue with it. And all Audis don't have "rediculous" electrical problems. However some do, and they can often be really difficult to trace down.

My first two A4s had a few minor problems. My main issue with them was the 1.8t engine... way under-powered.

As for the R32, while it might be expensive, it will be cheaper than an A3 with the six... those things are really $$$.

But I don't care. My next car will either be an A4 on the B8 platform, an STI, or an Evo.

The MkVs are proven to be reliability hell.

If you're picky, it's going to be even worse.

The MkVs are proven to be reliability hell.

If you're picky, it's going to be even worse.

I don't want to sound super defensive here, but what are you sources for this claim? This is the first I've heard this, even consumer reports(always dogs VW) has scored it very high and "above average" for reliability.

The MkVs are proven to be reliability hell.

If you're picky, it's going to be even worse.


Seriously, what the **** are you talking about?

The MKV GTI is a world of difference to the previous model. VW had to pull out all the stops when they made it because of the bad reputation that the MKIV had gotten. In fact it has been stated (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060329/FREE/60327016/1024) that the MKV is so costly to build, to the point that VW is not making any profit from selling them. This is the reason that an all new cheaper to build model will be introduced in 2008; making the MKV the shortest model run of any VW in the company’s history.

PS: All MKV GTIs are made in Germany. I'm pretty certain the R32s for the US will be made there also.

This is the reason that an all new cheaper to build model will be introduced in 2008; making the MKV the shortest model run of any VW in the company’s history.

PS: All MKV GTIs are made in Germany. I'm pretty certain the R32s for the US will be made there also.

In Europe is a pretty normal run (about 5 years), they've had the mkV's for almost 3 years now. But, that does seem to be the reason why they are saying they will build the next one cheaper, to lower the MSRP.
Some GTI's are built in Germany, some in Mexico.

The MKV cars are probably some of the least profitable cars for VW. The Jettas and the Golfs (GLI/GTi too) only profit ~$400 on average (read in Autoweek a little while ago). This is probably the reason to move to a different chassis.

Reliability problems: Man, you guys sure believe everything the internet tell you huh? I've had two MKIV cars. A 99.5 Jetta VR6 and a 01 GTi VR6. Not a single problem with either car. I know plenty of people with VWs and aside from small problems such as the window that falls, nothing remarkable.

Production: GTi is made in Germany. I forgot if the GLI is too, but I know the Jetta is made in Mexico.

R32: I think they will sell. The same thing that happened to the orginal R32 might happen again. They sold hard, then they lagged.. dealers sold them at close to invoice in the latter part of production... only to find that they sold for over MSRP again at the end of run AND NOW USED. Dealers often give 25K+ in trade-in. In some cases, this is close to what people payed when new! I've seen many R32 go for 29-33k lately. Pretty crazy really.

About the new one. I think the ONE mistake that VW has made here is to put the 3.2 instead of the Passat's 3.6L. A R36 with close to 300hp would have been PERFECT for the US market.

Again people are right. This car isn't a direct competitor to the STi/WRX/EVO crowd. It's a completely different experience.

Having owned a MKIV and having recently sold my Civic Si in favor for a new MKV GTi, I can't say there's a better daily driver available for the price right now.

The vehicles built in Germany aren't the problem, it's the ones built in Mexico.

Generally, the sportier cars are built in Germany. The point A to point B vehicles are built in Mexico.

-Matt

Matt, you are way off on this one.

If you look at the history of problems that VAG has had, you will reallize that it has NOTHING to do with assembly, and everything to do with engineering and quality control. Mexicans did not manufacture the faulty ignition coils, nor did they engineer cars with plastic window regulators that fail in three years. And of course the infamous electronic glitches cannot possibly have anything to do with assembly at the factory.

That's just what happens when a company spends money to make the car door sound nice when it closes, and recover that cost by putting a cheap plastic window regulator in it.

I'm happy to see that folks think that VWs are not well made. This will help keep resale down so I can pick them up for a song for the rest of my life... sweet!

I agree that weight is a serious issue with our VWs. Our rally car needs to go on a diet in the worst way but you can only cut out so much without redoing the car.

One thing that should be pointed out however is that these cars are built to be safe, comfortable and stylin first and fast as an afterthought.

PS- Give me a stripped down Golf with 4motion and a 16v 2.0 TDI 6 speed manual and I'll be a happy boy.

Seriously, what the **** are you talking about?

Forgot to add that it's still < a year since the MkV came out.

I heard more than enough crap and owners haven't even owned the car for more than a year. So I'm assuming it's the "first-year" models excuse. You guys need to visit more VW forums.

nor did they engineer cars with plastic window regulators that fail in three years.

HAHAHAHAHA, LOL :lol: :lol: :lol:

Is that why my friend's Jetta "couldnt use the passenger window when it was raining"?-Her words.

I'm happy to see that folks think that VWs are not well made. This will help keep resale down so I can pick them up for a song for the rest of my life... sweet!'00 GTI - faulty airbag clock spring, ABS system needed service, faulty window regulator, stereo gremlins in 1.5 years of ownership.

'00 Jetta - chewed rear brakes in 20,000 miles, ate oil, ate tires, rattled in 2 years of ownership.

'02 Passat - bad coil packs, defective fuel filler neck, bad coil packs again, ate front tires, bad engine management in 2 years of lease.

-or-

'02 WRX - cruise control recall, seat bolt recall in 3 years of ownership

'05 STi - rear strut clunk in 1.5 years of ownership

'05 Outback XT - no issues in 1 year of ownership.

I think the choice is clear.

PS- Give me a stripped down Golf with 4motion and a 16v 2.0 TDI 6 speed manual and I'll be a happy boy.I'll wait for the boxer diesels to come out, thanks. :)

hahaha, well, its funny... here's MY list with VW and Subaru:

-99.5 Jetta VR6: No problems in 30,000 miles of driving, except for a MAF CEL which I induced myself.
-01 GTi VR6: Passenger's side window fell. After that, no problems at all.
-06 GTi 2.0T: The factory gave me a Euro front bumper + lip on a USDM car. Or darn.

-04 STi: Pinger. From day 1. Ping ping ping ping ping. for 44k of ownership. Oh yeah, rear strut issue. Also ate oil like it was going out of style.
-05 Legacy: ECU glitchiness. From 2-3500, studder like crazy. My fans are stuck on. Extremely loud problem, very annoying. Is it worth going to the dealer for it? Probably not. Users report the noise going away after a new ECU + relays only to come back a few thousand miles later.

I'd rather have a bad window rail than a ECU that pings or crazy fans....

That being said, I still love my cars.

I know plenty of people with VWs and aside from small problems such as the window that falls, nothing remarkable.



When your gigantormungus driver-side window on your 2-door mkIV GTi falls inside your door and shatters into a million pieces (which can never be totally cleaned - there will always be some kind of rattle even years later - trust me) in the middle of january on a friday evening in upstate NY and you dont have a garage, its more than just a "small" problem......again, trust me on this one

When your gigantormungus driver-side window on your 2-door mkIV GTi falls inside your door and shatters into a million pieces (which can never be totally cleaned - there will always be some kind of rattle even years later - trust me) in the middle of january on a friday evening in upstate NY and you dont have a garage, its more than just a "small" problem......again, trust me on this one


Well, I suppose it just depends on you particular situation. To me, in sunny SoCal... that's really no big issue. Slap the car in the garage and grab my other one... or in the case of that day.. drive to the dealer (which happens to be 5 minutes down the road) and go have it fixed. They fixed it in 30 minutes.

Well, I suppose it just depends on you particular situation. To me, in sunny SoCal... that's really no big issue. Slap the car in the garage and grab my other one... or in the case of that day.. drive to the dealer (which happens to be 5 minutes down the road) and go have it fixed. They fixed it in 30 minutes.

Both of our dealers are 10 minutes down the road, but when the service departments arent open on weekends it doesnt help much - that was my point, and when you live in the city most of us dont have a garage OR a second car to just "grab". Only option was heavy black leaf bags and lots of packing tape and a couple prayers that the snowfall that weekend would be cold and light and not wet and heavy....

more info: Via Autoweek (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/FREE/60619034/1024/TOC01ARCHIVE)


Now that Volkswagen’s GTI is here and the return of the Rabbit (formerly known as Golf) is imminent, VW is confirming the next piece of the product picture: R32, the performance variant of the Golf that went on sale in Europe last fall (News, Aug. 15, 2005) will arrive in the States in June 2007 as a 2008 model.

The only question remaining is whether they’ll chance calling it a Rabbit R32, or just leave well enough alone.

I didn't think the last R32 was a Golf R32... just an R32.

-Matt