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Staff opinions on the 2008 Volkswagen R32
2008 Volkswagen R32
Here at MyRide.com World Headquarters we have a section on our vehicle evaluation sheet titled “Fun to Drive.” It’s safe to say the fun factor of most vehicles needs some qualification or perspective. Then there are those few for which “fun” stands alone.
That’s what we have here, a car that is fun without qualification or equivocation or any other –tion. Of course it should be, after all it’s built for that express purpose: Sport seats with ample side bolsters, flat-bottom – D-shaped – sport steering wheel, Dual Sequential Gearbox and a 250-horsepower, V-6 engine feeding 236 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels. When you need slow down, there are big brakes that are almost too much for the little car and grab very quickly.
The car feels faster than the spec sheet says it is and the connection between driver and road is good, thanks in part to low-profile 40-series tires on 18-inch wheels. Steering is little lighter than expected, yet precise. With the DSG transmission in sport shift mode, the little hatchback leaves the line in a hurry. You can reach the speed limit quickly and settle in to await a chance to down shift and brake for a corner. The DSG is one of those miracles of modern engineering that restores my faith in engineers. It uses two clutches – one for first, third and fifth, the other for second, fourth and sixth gears – allowing the transmission to shift quickly. When you down shift, the car’s electronics blip the throttle to match the engine and transmission speeds, which is much smoother than simply dropping a gear. You can shift using the paddles or the stick.
Fun doesn’t come cheap, however, as the R32 will make a $35,000 dent in your bank account. Creature comforts such as heated leather seats with four-way adjustable lumbar, a premium audio system and navigation help take the sting out. The grin-inducing performance will have to do the rest.
Bob Beamesderfer
MyRide.com Road Test Editor