The 2008 Volkswagen R32 still holds true
A crystal blue needle sweeps across white digits set in the roundel of a dial. The needle slowly creeps over a beautiful font that reads “120.” An engine humming in front of the cluster calls out in mechanical poetry. The whole assembly conveys a message of quick rotation through a soft and slightly worn leather steering wheel. The vibrations smooth out as the engine revs.
A resonant thump is felt in the eardrum as the revs drop back down and an exhale comes from the airbox. Sixth gear has just been selected in 8ms. This is the most joyous moment in the 2008 Volkswagen R32.
Just 5,000 R32s were built for the U.S. market. 2,097 units in Deep Blue Pearl, 1154 in United Gray Metallic, 1110 in Candy white, and 639 in Tornado Red. Each car featured a unique numbered plaque inserted into the steering wheel.
The MKV R32 was notoriously predicted to sit in dealer inventory due to the automatic only nature of the car. Against enthusiasts and professionals predictions, all cars sold out.
It’s unclear how many cars are left 12 years later. Some have been wrecked, totaled; lost to floods, rot, and high mileage. Although each one of them seem just as special as the last, regardless of mileage and condition.
Coming off the foot heels of the manual only MkIV R32 the MKV had a lot to live up to. The MKIV is simply regarded as the best R model to be released by Volkswagen. These cars still pull a premium to this day, consistently selling for more money than when the car was new — only one of few cars to do so.
The following R model, the MKVI, dropped the 32 moniker because Volkswagen ditched the heavy iron block VR6 in favor of a newly designed four-cylinder turbo. The updated engine, based on a previous design, produced 256hp while max torque came in at about 1,500RPM. Maintaining nearly 30mpg on the highway the new lightweight rendered the MKV useless. The manual only option of the MKVI added to the shame of the MKV.
The MKVII came along and took the form of a yardstick. It set the new standard for which all the cars to be measured against. It featured an Audi-esque interior with Mitsubishi Evo levels of throwback turbocharged performance.
The MKV has become the black sheep. Nobody wants it. It feels too new due to the automatic transmission all while feeling too old due to the diminished performance when compared with the updated models.
The importance of being the black sheep is that it’s always regarded as the underdog. Getting behind the wheel of the MKV today gives you a special sensation — much like it did in 2008.
The interior somehow feels more premium than the GTI with the leather appointed interior, engine-spin aluminum trim and impeccable build quality. Even for an arguably low production vehicle, these cars feel extremely well put together.
Once you settle in the leather bucket and fire up the the brutish VR6 you’ll find yourself picking up conflicted personalities from the car. Is this a hot hatch that was designed to be a more grown up grand tourer over it’s GTI sibling? Or was it meant to be a more racy, hopped up, version hence the “.:R” nameplate?
When you stick the DSG down into drive and begin to take off you’ll notice the first of two clutches engage in what seemingly feels exactly like riding in the passenger seat as someone drives a manual. The clutch is let out slowly as revs build up until it is fully engaged. Second gear comes faultlessly thanks to the second clutch that’s already spinning ready for the task at hand. By 35mph all six gears have been selected in the name of fuel economy.
The engine hums along at speed and the transmission only downshifts when it becomes stressed from inclines or decelerations.
The R32 has become a heavy LazyBoy piece of utilitarian machinery. Its soul purpose is to take you from A to B as politely as possible while offering you delicacies such as satellite radio, navigation and a 10 speaker surround-sound system. Heated seats are a must have and automatic adaptive headlights do your visual bidding without any thought.
Close your eyes as you float away into a flush abyss and thoughts of $40,000 Audi’s start sifting through your brain.
Split personality: Multiple personality disorder, a neurosis in which the personality becomes dissociated into two or more distinct parts each of which becomes dominant and controls behavior from time to time to the exclusion of the other parts. A modern name for this condition is dissociative identity disorder.
Pull up to a junction in the R32 and you have a choice to make. Continue straight on the open road in your leather LazyBoy recliner, or take trust in the neon yellow road sign with the curvy road symbol on it. This may not seem like an important life decision to most people.
Subtly knock the DSG over into manual mode and you’ll notice two things. The first being that absolutely nothing noticeable happens. The suspension doesn’t stiffen, throttle response doesn’t sharpen and the engine doesn’t get any louder. The second thing you notice is tiny paddles mounted to the back of the steering wheel. They sit at 10 and 2 and allow three fingers to sit comfortably within the cupped and ribbed plate. These form-fitting plastic paddles now allow you to weaponize the R.
You decide to take off down the curved road and shift early into second gear to prep the car for the first corner.
Turn in is initiated and the heft of the iron block VR6 is felt on the inside tire. Understeer becomes nearly apparent before the turn has even begun. Against everything you’ve ever been told you start to apply throttle in SWB Porsche 911 style. The Haldex AWD system engages the rear clutch and activates the rear axles which begin to push the car through the corner and neutralize the understeer.
You keep adding more and more throttle and the car graces you with increasing limits of grip. The first corner is now over.
The car begins to rocket down a short straight. Third gear is selected and the VR6 settles down to 4,000rpm. The narrow angle engine comes on cam only 500rpm later and wakes you with a snarl from the intake and a bark from the exhaust. As revs increase, you’re now engaged in the higher rpm power range.
It’s time to brake for the second corner. The firm brake pedal is smashed while you rip the paddle for second gear. The car complies. The largest brakes fitted to a Golf halt the mass of the vehicle while the downshift aids in slowing the car down.
You setup the steering rack for the second sweeping corner with a slight input. The car sends you feedback that it’s ready and the throttle is mashed again.
16 curves and a stop sign later you snap back into existence. The engine is humming at idle. All temperatures are perfect thanks to an external engine oil cooler and larger DSG trans cooler.
A deep exhale is heard from the driver. The DSG is snapped back into drive and the car pulls off.
The R32 has just eaten a backroad like no other car can manage. It’s now headed back onto the open road to gulp down miles like no small hatchback can do.
The MKV R32 is the black sheep of the golf family featuring a dual personality disorder unlike any other car.
