Premium

VW Golf R32 DSG - The joy of stopping

Name: VW Golf R32 2002
Brand: VW

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on October 1, 2022

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

Volkswagen/Werk

Volkswagen / Werk

Bruno von Rotz

Volkswagen/Werk

Volkswagen / Werk

45 1

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - the blue color looks good on him

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - the wheels fill the wheel arches well

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - two side doors are (almost) the norm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - painted in "Deep Blue pearl effect"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - compact at 4.15 meters long and 1.735 meters wide

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - large air intakes show that a particularly fast Golf is coming here

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - with dual-flow exhaust system

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under seven seconds

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - also in its element on snow

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - always enough traction thanks to all-wheel drive

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - next to a Golf VIII R

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - the first R32 alongside the modern Golf R

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - only two pedals thanks to DSG

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - Speedometer up to 300 km/h

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - clearly drawn instruments, a bit of mouse cinema in between

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - Selector lever for the dual clutch gearbox

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - "R" emblem on the König seats

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - where it says R32 on it, there is also R32 in it

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - the 3.2 liter V6 engine is surprisingly compact

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - beautiful engine design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - the six spark plugs are close together thanks to a fork angle of only 15 degrees

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - the same engine was also found in a similar configuration in the Beetle RSi

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - Xenon headlights as standard equipment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - turning night into day with modern xenon light

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - Eighteen-inch wheels and brakes from the Passat W8

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - here is the music - two large exhaust tailpipes

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2003) - VW sign at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2002) - almost 250 km/h fast

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2002) - no other compact car was able to follow it so quickly

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf IV R32 (2002) - View of the DSG gearshift center

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf V R32 (2005) - Successor to the Golf IV with significantly more chrome

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

You have only

8 out of 45

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The VW Golf IV R32 was a latecomer; it was only presented shortly before the end of the fourth generation of the Golf. As the most powerful Golf of all time and the first Golf with a direct-shift gearbox (DSG), the sporty compact achieved cult status and is now practically as expensive as a new car. An achievement too! This driving report tells the story of the Golf IV R32 and shows it in historical and current images.

This article contains the following chapters

Not the first six-cylinder Golf
Exhaust is on show again
The most powerful Golf of all time
Better to drive golf than play golf?
Shifting gears without interrupting traction
More comfortable and lively
Limited, and then not
As expensive today as it was back then
Too hard? Too loud?

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Has the VW Golf IV really matured into a youngtimer, as modern as it still looks today? In fact, the first fourth-generation Golfs were delivered to customers in 1997, making them 25 years old in 2002! However, a few more years were to pass before the Golf R32 was launched, as the fastest factory-produced Golf at the time was only unveiled in summer 2002. There was already a VW Golf with six cylinders as part of the third generation, "VR6" was the name of the super-Golf at the time and it initially tugged at the front axle with 174 hp from 1991. An all-wheel drive version with a displacement of 2.9 liters and 190 hp was added in 1994.

Welcome to Zwischengas!