I am completely aware this is a subaru forum, but I thought that this news might surprise some of you out there that may not have heard it yet: Volkswagen, indefinitely, is bringing the popular R32 (R being VW's equivalent of BMW's M or Audi's S) to America. Below are some of the specs (most importantly the AWD and power, although it is a V6). The price is estimated to run between $25,000 to $30,000, i.e. Subaru and Mitsubishi may have some serious street competition (although anything rally related, subaru is untouchable)

Configuration: V6
Valvetrain: DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl
Displacement 194.6 CU / 3189 CC
Power: 241.0 BHP / 179.7 KW @ 6250 RPM
Torque: 236.0 FT LBS / 320 NM @ 2800 RPM
Top Speed: 152.2 MPH / 244.9 KPH
Drive Wheels: 4MOTION 4WD
Gear Type: 6-Speed Manual
Wheels: 18-inch
Headlights: HID

 

show me the link to this info, so i dont get too excited.

 

Heres the link to a source stating the relaease......an official statement from volkswagen should come by late spring.

Official News on US Release

Granted, this car will be very heavy for its size (from the 3.2 V6), thus constituting for the less than optimal performance. But I think it is Volkswagen's quality that will bring this car to the forefront with the WRX, and the fact that its pricing will be around 25,000.

 

if the limited 337 was only AWD. that car is hot. i would take one even with the fwd.
on the R32, they reviewed that on Super tuner i think, that was the car right?? looks pretty good. they were talking about its hyped up braking systems and stuff.
even fewer than the STi?? ouch... its like VW kind of likes us here, they give what a 1000 337s?? now it was a limited car, but still something along the same lines in bigger numbers would be nice.
-PJ

 

pretty hot..

but VW is screwed bad on those Passat and Golf suspension right??

it's cool to give more competition to the Evo and STi
al least from a price range point of view..

might help us get MSRP

 

I could never see myself in a VW for some reason, but that R32 looks like a really nice ride.

 

Im a recent VW defector, and I considered waiting on the R32. I think the US run is going to be about 5000 or so. Its gotten some mixed reviews, and its not exactly great off the line, but it did post a really good time on the Ring. But nothing beats a VW interior, thats the main thing I miss about my 02 1.8t.

 

my friends g/f just got an 03 1.8t, and she let me drive it a bit. it is nice a car for the money, but the interior is really superior. i have always been somewhat impressed with the inside of newer dubs. but i guess thats what you get for being the little bro to Audi and Porsche.

-PJ

 

another recent vw defector here. The best interior in it's price range, good performance, decent handling. 14 visits to dealer in 16 months. Two radios, four window regulators, one seat heater, side trim, door panel clips, coil pack, maf. You have to be a real fan to stick with vw after all that. I have far less trouble with my ford . Only 1200 on subie so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

thanks for all the replies. myself, i am more a fan of the WRX, especially the STi, but it will help the market out a lot to have cars like the R32 competing with the EVO and STi. I have also heard many mixed reviews about the pricing; hopefully it won't turn into a big fiasco like the EVO car pricing did (there's a list of dealers on the evolutionm site which shows some of them charging as much as 50,000+!!! - major price gouging)

Additionally, since the Golf and GTI are both undergoing a complete re-design for the 2005 model, expect the R32 to do the same, so it might be worth it to wait the market out a while and see how everything falls in place for VW.

- nick

 

You do know VW makes Audi?