Volkswagen’s rally car that isn’t.

I’m still kicking myself in the ass for not having purchased a Volkwagen (VW) R32 when I was car-shopping in 2004. Of course, I may not even have found one since the R32 was only sold in the 2003 and 2004 model years. It’s an AWD version of the Golf Rabbit GTI with a faster engine and other fancy features, which makes it the spruced-up version of VW’s already spruced up hatchback. With only a few thousand produced for sale in the United States, the R32 was meant to compete against Subaru’s WRX/STi and Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evo. Though not as fast as either of these two vehicles, the R32 is nonetheless prized by owners, and currently sells used for as much as its original MSRP. In some cases, low-mileage R32s are even selling for more than they did when new.

It’s no surprise that VW decided to bring the R32 back, though why they waited until the 2008 model year I don’t know. Only 5,000 R32s are planned to be released in August/September, and future owners are expected to drop between $500 and $1,000 to reserve a 2008 R32. Why VW wouldn’t sell more R32s is curious, unless they want the older R32s to continue holding their inflated value for a reason.

What amazed me more than the lack of R32s that will be brought to market this year is the lack of a manual or automatic option, however. Rather, the only configuration the R32 will come in is with a Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG), which is already offered in the GTI. The DSG is considered a “true” manual transmission, but the shifting is computer controlled, which is, apparently, very efficient, both regarding fuel efficiency and raw speed. While the “default” DSG mode is to emulate an automatic transmission to make city driving less aggravating, this mode can also be turned off, allowing the driver to shift up or down by pushing/pulling on the stick, or use optional “paddles” on the steering column; a paddle on the right side of the wheel allows the drive to shift up, while a paddle on the opposite side lets the driver shift down. As with other manual transmissions, the R32 will roll on the hills when not in gear. From reviews I’ve read, the paddle-shifting is fun, but I question the feel given the lack of a clutch for the driver to use. If anything, the new R32 will be much faster than the old ones because the DSG, but I gather than old manual R32s will hold their value based on owners wanting a traditional manual in their rides.

I’m also wondering why the new R32 won’t come in black. I loved my black GTI, and given the R32s on the road, it was obviously one of the more popular colors aside from the “rally blue” most R32s came in. Beyond that and the lack of stock in-car navigation, the new R32 looks promising, though I’ll have to test-drive a vehicle with DSG before I could ever support a non-manual purchase.

Tagged as: mendax.org