Like many automobile companies, Volkswagen has realized that niche vehicles can be profitable. Automakers have found these special, limited-edition automobiles not only make money, they make a big impression on buyers who buy other vehicles in their lineup.
Case in point, Volkswagen felt confident to bring a luxury sedan, the Phaeton, to market.
Going off in a different direction, Volkswagen has given enthusiast drivers a new car to lust over. The R32 is a small vehicle that will energize even the most disinterested driver.
The R32 is a high-performance version of the Golf that brings horsepower, all-wheel drive and sports-car handling to the road. In a move that truly makes the R32 a limited-edition automobile, VW will build only 5,000 of these cars, and will offer them for only one year. The car may turn into an instant collectable.
Taking the revered VR6 engine, VW engineers have infused exciting performance into the R32. By modifying the engine with new intake and exhaust systems, as well as making changes to numerous internal components, they have given the R32 a brisk 240 horsepower and 236 foot-pounds of torque. Translate this to real-world experience and you get a vehicle that is not just cool to be seen in, but a car that is way cool to drive.
During my time with the car I was able to put the R32 through a few timed, measured tests that put numbers to its performance. Under the gaze of Indy driver Scott Goodyear, I put the R32 to the test.
I didn’t do quite as well as the official time VW publishes for the R32, but I came very close to its mark of 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. While this test is the one most car magazine testers shoot for, it is not the only capability you need from your car. Braking and handling are just as important, or perhaps even more so. Testing the R32 through a tight slalom course and panic-braking exercises highlighted this VW’s abilities.
Through the slalom course, where competitive cars proved less able, the R32 zipped through at an admirable 45 mph. In the panic-braking test the big brakes on the R32 brought the car from 60 mph to a full and safe stop in 2.7 seconds at a distance of 117 feet.
This last test brings to light a subject of which we should all be aware.
As able as this vehicle is it still takes more than 100 feet to get it stopped.
The stopping distance of our vehicle, any vehicle, traveling at highway speeds can be deceiving. Figure that at 60 mph it took me 117 feet to stop. That’s with an ABS-equipped car and my foot firmly planted on the brake pedal.
When was the last time you drove down the highway with six or eight car lengths between you and the car in front of you? It has probably been more like two or three lengths. Food for thought, isn’t it?
The interior of the R32 is classic German engineering.
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