Jalopnik: Golf R32

Abt Sportsline Tunes VW R32, Hits 370 HP Note

Ray Wert — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:18:14 EDT

The German tuners of Abt Sportsline have had their way with the VW Golf R32 taking the well-known and already sporty hot hatch down the road of higher horsepower. Although you'd never expect it with such few changes Abt's made to the exterior shell. Although Abt gives their R32 a new side skirt, blackened chrome dual pipes and of course, 19-inch wheels and Abt decals, very little else signals the changes Abt's got going on under that blue bonnet.

And yes, the changes are a-plenty under the hood, as Abt's tuning team took the base engine from VW and spun the dial to 11 by way of a modified motor management system and the introduction of an Abt compressor kit with supercharger and air cooling system. Those changes bump the base model up 120 horses to a tire-squealing 370 HP. Those changes to the motor also boost the top speed to over 168 MPH, with a 0-to-60 time of a mere 5.0 seconds. Five ain't scratch, but it ain't too shabby either. [via World Car Fans]

Spy Photos: VW Thunderbunny for Reals?

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:49:18 EDT

Volkswagen showed off its "Thunderbunny" concept at the SEMA show last November, tempting crowds of hatchies with promises of post-R32 hareiness (ouch). Of course, now we know V-dub is introducing a new R32 in the US this year. So what of the bunny? According to VW blog UK MkIVs the Golf RS above was on display at a VW corporate event. Insiders say the RS will see a limited production run of 500 to 900, with a debut expected for the Frankfurt or Essen shows later this year, ahead of a market launch in mid-'08. As for what may be under the hood. Could this be the "R36" everyone's been talking about? After all, are those not Passat R36 wheels? – Mike Spinelli

Could this be the new Golf RS or RSI? [uk-mkivs via World Car Fans]

More on VW's Alleged Golf R37

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 07:45:00 EST

Last week, we ran a cameraphone photo reportedly of a new factory-tuned Golf R37 to replace the R32 in the US market. Now, more photos and info have surfaced on Automotive Arena indicating the car is a test mule brought to the states to show Volkswagen USA executives. According to AA's source, the hood scoop and spoiler are factory items but the fugly decals are just for show-and-smell, as the case may be.

VW Golf R37: More info and pics [Automotive Arena]

Related:
2007 Volkswagen Golf R37 [internal]

Test Driving the VW Golf R32

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 12:52:34 EDT

The US market hasn't yet gotten word on delivery of the new R32 Golf, but the VW Vortex gang says we're blocked until 2007, when a 300hp R36 (sporting the Passat's 3.6-liter VR6) arrives. For now, we're expected to be sated by second-hand accounts of the Europeans' rave-inducing Mk5 generation R32. "Only above 145mph did the limitations of that hatchback body begin to take effect, causing the car to labor up to its 154mph limit," writes Euan Sey of a recent autobahn leg-stretch in the R32. And that's just the bad news.

R32 First Drive [VW Vortex]