Volkswagen R32

Starting MSRP:$32,990
Vehicle type: sport hatchback
EPA fuel economy: city: 18 / hwy: 23
Available engines:
250-hp, 3.2-liter VR6
Available transmissions:
six-speed automatic

In-demand hatchback ready for the road or track
from Volkswagen

Volkswagen's hottest hatchback, the R32, makes its debut in the United States this fall. The 2008 R32 features a bold new interior and exterior styling cues packaged with increased horsepower and performance.

With a heritage of responsive driving and dynamic performance built into its bloodline, the R32 is ready to comfortably tackle the streets or rip up the local track.

The R32's muscle is provided by its namesake, a 3.2-liter, naturally aspirated narrow-angle VR6 engine that provides 250 horsepower and 236 foot-pounds of torque. The engine is combined with Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Rounding out the drivetrain package is Volkswagen's dual-clutch DSG transmission, which allows for seamless gear changes and helps the R32 accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.4 seconds.

The first-edition R32, introduced in the United States in 2004, quickly sold its allotment of approximately 5,000 vehicles.

That strong consumer demand has already hit the 2008 R32. An exclusive presale offered to current GTI and R32 owners resulted in the sale of nearly 1,000 of the 5,000 sport hatches.

The R32 boasts a long list of safety features, including front and side air bags and the Electronic Stabilization Program, which reacts to critical driving situations in milliseconds by controlling the speed of individual wheels.

Inside, the R32 features a race-inspired three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy foot pedals and sports seats with an integrated "R" logo. Features such as automatic climate control, a 10-speaker premium CD stereo system, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, heatable washer nozzles, an anti-theft alarm, cruise control and a trip computer are standard luxuries.