First look: VW unveils new Golf R32

VOLKSWAGEN Australia already has a long waiting list for the hot turbocharged 2.0-litre Golf GTi so news of the launch of the R32 is sure to cause even more problems.

The new R32, which will be launched at the Frankfurt show next month, goes on sale in Europe straight after but do not rush to your local dealer.

The hot-hatch VW is unlikely to be available here until the second half of next year.

Volkswagen Australia spokesman, Matthew Wiesner, said unlike the previous model, the new R32 would be a full-blown production model in both three and five-door hatches and available with the DSG automatic.

"DSG will further open up the appeal of the car," he said.

Although no decision had been made on pricing, specifications or the range, Mr Wiesner said the three-door was the most likely offering.

"The first car was a three door so we may go that way but as yet it’s undecided," he said.

Price is expected to be around the previous car’s $63,000.

The new R32 gains a 7kW power increase – 177kW to 184kW – delivered by a 3.2-litre V6 mated to a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch gearbox and driving through 4Motion all-wheel drive.

The powerful V6 endows the R32 with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h and VW claims the manual will accelerate from zero to 100km/h 6.5 seconds, whereas the DSG will reach the same speed in 0.3 seconds faster.

Visually VW has opted for the less-is-more approach to styling.

The front-end is marked with a large aluminium grille and large air intakes while the lower bumper has an extra spoiler lip.

Discrete side skirts connect the front with the rear bumper, which features an air diffuser between the two centre stainless-steel exhausts on each side. A rear spoiler adds down force.

As expected with a powerhouse, 18-inch 20-spoke Zolder alloys with 225/40 rubber rated to 300km/h are standard, as well as a performance brake system that’s painted blue. The brakes come with 345mm diameter discs at the front and 310mm at the rear.

The sports suspension has been lowered 20mm over the standard car.

The rear bumper features a black diffuser in the middle with two round exhausts made of polished stainless steel integrated into the bumper.

The sporty interior has a distinctive instrument panel, sports steering wheel, hip-hugging sports seats, and aluminium pedals and a special R32 shift knob.

Automatic climate control, a tyre pressure warning system, 10-speaker premium CD stereo, multi-function display and computer, anti-dazzle interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers, ESP with brake assist, six airbags, and bi-Xenon headlights are standard.

When the R32 goes on sale, the Golf model range in Europe will stretches from 55kW to 184kW. Including the R32-V6 there will be 10 engines on offer – six petrol and four diesel.

When it was first launched in Europe in August 2002 the R32 became one of the hottest cars on the road and sold like hot cakes.

Three times as many R32s were sold than originally planned and in Australia all 200 were snapped up quickly when it finally landed here last year.

The arrival of the new R32 is likely to be a case of history repeating itself.