Essential Motoring 101

I have not driven a Volkswagen before. The only Volkswagen that I have sat on was the Beetle back in the early 90s and it was owned by my discipline teacher! I remembered his car had red and black designs painted on a solid white foundation. The seats were all bouncy too.

 

A sporty, muscular car not for the faint-hearted

Since I was chosen to be at the launch of a new model from Volkswagen Malaysia, I went on with a curious heart. I am curious as to what I have missed over the years on VW’s vehicle development and what kind of offerings they have been supplying to the Malaysian automotive scene.

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) just launched the hottest in high performance cars – the Golf R32. The hatchback was unveiled at the 59^th Frankfurt Motorshow about 2 years ago and has finally reached our Malaysian shores.

 

Prepare to eat some sand (not dust) with this baby

The Golf R32 comes with a 240 PS powerplant was first launched in August 2002 is based on the Golf V generation. Boasting 250 PS of power, this hot new sports hatchback packs a full-time 4MOTION four-wheel drive as a standard capability.

Sporty in all sense, the Golf R32 features a multi-information display

The Golf R32 can reach a top speed of 248kmh and is able to accelerate from 0-100 kph in 6.2 seconds. Maximum torque is achieved at 2800-3000 rpm producing 320 Nm on the sports car. Power from the 6-cylinder 3.2 litre petrol engine is transferred 50-50 to all four wheels with its 6-speed direct shift dual clutch gearbox (DSG).

Volkswagen sound system - Can it beat the rest?

The external design of the car is nothing different than the Golf GTi rather than a shield-shaped, aluminium-effect radiator grille with a ‘R32’ logo on the front face. The front and rear bumpers, rear spoilers, side view mirrors and protective side mouldings are all body-coloured this time. Bodywork and chassis have also gone through further enhancements to cater to the powerful engine.

 

To get off the seat, you need proper techniques and a bit of time.

The wheels of the Golf R32 feature huge Omanyt 18” alloy rims wrapped with 225/40 R18 tires that also comes with wheel security systems. The rear side of the Golf R32 illustrates it’s prominence on the rear bumper with integrated stainless steel double tailpipes for the exhaust outlet, also another similar arrangement as the Gold GTi.

More tasteful features can be expected in the sporty concept of the Golf R32. There are distinctive instruments, leathered bucket sport seats, foot pedals clad with aluminum plates and the functional sports steering wheel wrapped with perforated leather along the grip area, and a matching gear shift knob.

The Golf R32 packs even more impressive standard equipment such as 2-zone automatic air conditioning, the RCD 500 head-unit with MP3 function and a “Volkswagen sound” system with analog 8-channel amplifier that produces 250 watt total output and 10 loudspeakers.

A multifunction display, rain sensor for automatic wiper actuation, tire pressure monitor, bi-xenon headlights, electronic stabilization programme (ESP) including driver steering recommendation assisted with anti-locking brake system (ABS), electronic differential lock (EDL) for optimal traction on any terrain and traction control system (TCS) for added stability while attacking corners.

In the safety department, the sporty hatchback scores 5/5 stars in Euro NCAP frontal, side and pole crash tests thanks to its airbags equipped for the driver and the front passenger, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants and side airbags for the front occupants.

The Golf R32 is only available in automatic transmission but fret not as switching gears can still be done using the steering-mounted paddle shifters. I had to fumble to feel the paddle shifters as they are located too near at the back of the steering wheel.

Priced at RM302,618.50 (without insurance), the 3.2 litre V6 Golf R32 is fully-imported and is available within weeks after an order is made. So if you order now, the car shall be delivered by Christmas time.