cravnpup

Volkswagen AG has released the first official information on the new Golf R32 for the German/European market. The immediate question that will come to North American enthusiasts minds is why another 3.2l VR6? The 3.2l VR6 in this latest generation R32 now has fuel stratisfied injection (FSI) technology and now outputs 250hp more efficiently and with better economy. 250hp is more than adequate for the hot hatch market competition in Europe. Here in North America though the R32 Golf would face competition in the form of the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evolution which push the 300hp boundries in power.

For that reason the current rumors for the U.S. market indicate Volkswagen is instead working on a 300hp version of the new 3.6l VR6 FSI for an "R36" model. Right now the Golf R36 is currently being planned, but there are discussions about creating an R36 Jetta this time around. If you'd like to see a Jetta R36 in addition to a Golf R36 for the U.S. market be sure and chime in with your opinion at the end of this story in our forums.

exb00st

The new Golf looks much better than the Jetta. Trouble would be selling that thing.. if I'm not mistaken the R32 didn't sell too well. Depending on the price (which was around 30k before?) I'd rather drive that then an ugly ass EVO or STi.

dozen5

if you'd put one of those engines in this, i think it'll sell.

jsalicru

actually.. make sure you REALLY DO post about your want for something like this down here...

VW imported the 337 after A LOT of people showed interest in it at vwvortex...

amongmany

I want to know when that one's coming out!

lyndon_h

Nice specs but it is ugly. I agree with the above post. I'd much rather have an STI or EVO

cravnpup

The R32's got off to a slow start, but are now sold out 5000 units. They seem to be holding their values really well which indicates they are still in demand.. A friend of mine said he knows someone who got one for 22k when sales were down, put 20k miles on it, and sold it for 26k when demand was high..

For some reason, this car looks much better in silver.. I'll take one as an autox toy if they can keep the weight in check..

chrisfranklin

if it came as a 4door hatch with close to 300hp and weighed less than 3k i'd drop my sti to have it.
i love hatches
the interior will undoubtedly kill the evo or sti, it would just come down to handling and steering for me.

cravnpup

the current version handles fairly well and is quite competitive at the track given it's weight and power disadvantage.. I'm just hoping they don't make it fat. I guess we'll just have to wait an see.

The Hoth

This just in. In line with the recent VW trend, this R36 is going to weight like around 3,500 lbs.

Just kidding.