The Golf R32

For those of you already in possession of an R32, this article is unlikely to tell you anything you don't know already. Instead, it serves to educate the prospective buyer - to give you an idea of what you'll be getting for your money!

NOTE - this article will soon be updated, with separate pages for listed items

Exterior

There's no doubt about it - as a standard car, the R32 is a stonking looker. It's a combination of the following items that sets the R32 apart from being 'just another Golf'.

18" 15-spoke alloys (either BBS or Ronal) unique VW bodykit, inc. front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and spoiler colour-coded side bumper strips, mirror casings and door handles twin 90mm chrome exhaust tailpipes lowered suspension (sits 20mm lower than standard Golf) with blue springs blue brake callipers unique R32 badging on tailgate and front grill

When the R32 was originally unveiled, the plan was to bring just 240 examples to the UK (not even enough for 1 per dealership), in 3-door form only, with 3 colours available - Deep Blue Pearl, Diamond Black Pearl and Reflex Silver Metallic.

However, following an extremely positive public reaction, VW decided to increase output to allow approximately 2000 R32's to be destined for the UK, with a choice of either 3 or 5-door (with 5-doors carrying a £500 premium). Several additional paint colours were added to the selection, as shown below.

Deep Blue Pearl	Indigo Blue Pearl	Reflex Silver Metallic	Moonlight Blue Pearl	Tornado Red	Diamond Black Pearl	Grey Anthracite Pearl

Interior

The differences continue inside aswell, making the R32 a joy simply to sit in! Items exclusive to the R32 include:

unique Konig sport seats, with R logo embroidered aluminium trim around centre console, door armrests and dash dials leather-trimmed handbrake and gearknob gaiter unique R-branded steering wheel unique R/4 Motion gearknob aluminium pedals (with R logo) widened sills with aluminium inserts (with R logo) unique R-branded carpet mats front & rear

As well as this, VW offered three different types of upholstery (with some at an additional charge ofcourse!)

Leatherette/Cloth (in 'Monte Carlo' Anthracite) Leather/Alcantara (in Flannel Grey) Black Full Leather

Standard Equipment

The R32 is a very substantial car, in that you're getting a lot for your money. Besides the advanced technology driving the R32, along with the head-turning exterior accessories, VW generously included plenty of toys at no extra charge too!

8 speaker sound system with RDS 6 Disc CD changer Dash-Mounted Electronic Climate Control ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program) 8 airbags (front/side/curtain) Front Heated Seats Xenon Gas Discharge Headlights Rain-sensitive wipers Automatic Dimming rear-view mirror Metallic Paint Cup Holders, Front & Rear

Along with many other typical VW refinements!

Optional Extras

VW offered relatively few optional extras on the R32, which is unsurprising, considering the standard specification.

Cruise Control Upholstery upgrade (either Alcantara or Leather) Electric Sunroof 'Delta' upgraded Radio (with boot-mounted CD changer) Satellite Navigation with 5" colour screen (with boot-mounted CD changer)

Technical Specification

Enjoy studying endless amounts of stats and figures? Then prepare to go to heaven! For the rest of us, the information shown below can be translated as follows - the R32's got a big engine, with loads of grunt, so even though it weighs more than other hot hatches, it still blummin' shifts! Oh, and it's got a drink-related problem as well. ;-)