- Responsive and free-revving 3.2-litre V6 engine
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Supportive front seats
- Accomplished dynamics
- Powerful brakes
- Suspension lacks compliance
- Overly sensitive throttle
- Cramped rear seats
- Plain interior
- Tyre roar
Overview
Manufactured from December 2003 and officially released in Australia in February 2004, the Volkswagen Mk.4 Golf R32 was a three-door hatchback. Manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia, the all-wheel drive VW Golf R32 was powered by a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
VR6 Engine (EA390)
The 3189 cc BML EA390 VR6 engine had a 15-degree ‘V’ angle, a grey cast iron block with 84.0 mm bores and a 95.9 mm stroke, a die-forged steel crankshaft with seven main bearings, an aluminium cylinder head, electronic sequential fuel injection, double overhead camshafts (simplex roller chain-driven), continuous intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment, four valves per cylinder driven by roller rocker fingers with hydraulic clearance compensation, and a compression ratio of 11.3:1. Of the camshafts, the intake camshaft had 52 degrees of adjustment, while the exhaust camshaft had 22 degrees of adjustment.
The Golf R32 required 95 RON or 98 RON premium unleaded petrol and could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds; its top speed was 247 km/h.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf R32 | 3.2-litre BML petrol VR6 | 6sp man. | 177 kW at 6250 rpm | 320 Nm at 2800-3200 rpm |
Dimensions
The VW Golf R32 was 4149 mm long, 1735 mm wide, 1409 mm tall and had a 2518 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 1433 kg. Cargo space was 330 litres, though this increased to 1184 litres when the rear seats were folded.
Suspension
The front suspension for the VW Mk.4 Golf R32 consisted of MacPherson struts with lower wishbones. For the torsion beam rear axle, the coil springs were located below the longitudinal members, eliminating the need for the suspension strut turrets which would otherwise limit cargo space.
Haldex all-wheel drive system (4Motion)
The VW Mk.4 Golf R32 had a second generation Haldex all-wheel drive system which consisted of:
- A hydraulic pump driven;
- A wet multi-plate clutch; and,
- An electronically-controlled throttle valve.
Any difference in the rotational speeds of the front and rear axles (as caused by wheel slip) would cause the hydraulic pump to generate oil flow such that a clutch piston would compress the clutch pack. Although the second generation Haldex system was reactive (i.e. engaged after wheel slip had occurred), it could engage within the time required for a quarter of a wheel’s rotation for a 50:50 front:rear torque split. In normal conditions, the system provided a default 90:10 front:rear torque distribution.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Golf R32 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Brakes
The VW Golf R32 had 334 mm by 32 mm ventilated front brake discs and 256 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs. For the Golf R32, the calipers were painted blue.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1998 Volkswagen Mk.4 Golf fitted with a 1.4-litre petrol engine – and equipped with dual front airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 24.78. In the frontal offset impact test, protection of the driver’s feet was weak and high loads were transmitted to the driver’s legs. In the side impact test, chest and abdomen protection was rated as adequate.
Features: Golf R32
Standard features for the VW Golf R32 included 18-inch fifteen-spoke alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, climate control air conditioning (‘Climatronic’), leather-trimmed front seats with integrated head restraints, cruise control, xenon headlights, a rear fog light, rain-sensing wipers, split and folding rear seats, central locking, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors, an alloy pedal cluster, trip computer, brushed aluminium highlights and an immobiliser.
Paint colours: Golf R32
The Golf R32 was available in Reflex Silver Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic and Black Magic Pearl Effect paint finishes.
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