My gti beat R32 just from a remap

[AlanD]

Sounds a bit silly to me, VW really should made the R32 much faster from the sound of things.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I can't speak for the MK5 but my MK4 always felt lazy and underpowered considering the 3.2V6 lump. 

The Mk5 R32 also feels like that, though the V6 torque is quite nice!

As others have mentioned I suppose this is down to the weight and 4WD - why didn't VW load the MK5 with more BHP like the S3?

They can't bump the R32 power up, because the narrow angle design of the R32 VR6 engine makes it difficult to correctly cool.  Think of the Bugatti Veyron, with its' W16 engine (basically 2 VR8 blocks mated together), that needs something like TEN radiators to keep it cool.  

BTW, the S3 does not use the VR6 engine, but actually the 4 cylinder 2 litre FSI turbo, similar to the GTI.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Whats the point in having an R32 then apart from getting a nice noise in a tunnel?

Very wet roads apparently.

Hmmm - stick some really decent boots on a standard GTI, and I personally doubt there will be any difference on wet roads.

And personally I really like the seats.

What, the same seats which are standard in the GTI?

Or the optional R32 bucket seats, which are also optional in the GTI?? 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Sounds a bit silly to me, VW really should made the R32 much faster from the sound of things.

See reply #21 - VW can't extract any more power out of the R32 engine without adressing the very serious engine cooling requirements.  The emmissions are already pants (just ask all the current R32 owners who will have to pay £400 for road tax - the same tax bracket as lumbering great 4x4s), which means it isn't very efficient.

Why do you think that VAG developed a conventional wide angle 3.2 V6 ?

[Ridg]

wouldn't the R32 beat the GTI hands down when i came to in gear acceleration though?

[Russ.C]

I can't speak for the MK5 but my MK4 always felt lazy and underpowered considering the 3.2V6 lump. 

The Mk5 R32 also feels like that, though the V6 torque is quite nice!

As others have mentioned I suppose this is down to the weight and 4WD - why didn't VW load the MK5 with more BHP like the S3?

They can't bump the R32 power up, because the narrow angle design of the R32 VR6 engine makes it difficult to correctly cool.  Think of the Bugatti Veyron, with its' W16 engine (basically 2 VR8 blocks mated together), that needs something like TEN radiators to keep it cool.  

I see! thanks for the explan. speaking of which did anyone see the Veyron on Fifth Gear the other night? It doesn't even have a cover over the engine bay to assist with cooling! What a beast! 

[AlanD]

Yeah saw that on 5th Gear. I loved the shots of the heat haze just coming out the back. Looked like someone had put a BBQ in the back.

Did I hear correctly that Tiff said it can reach temperatures of 1000DegC ?

TT, with the cooling being the case I think its time VW sit down and rethink what the are achieving with the R32 model for the MKVI. The MK4 R32 was resonable as it was considerably quicker than the 1.8T GTi model of the time. With the GTi model now a 200bhp 2.0L FSI Turbo enigne (not to mention the ED30), the whole glamour of the R32 name seems to go away imo.

[evad]

Hmmm - stick some really decent boots on a standard GTI, and I personally doubt there will be any difference on wet roads.

Having had a GTI and now R32 and living in wet, dreary, badly surfaced Ireland, I can tell you there is quite a difference in grip between the two(both on Bridgestones). But yes in real world driving the standard R32 isn't much faster than the GTI, I would say that over 90mph the R32 has a slight edge.

[Russ.C]

Did I hear correctly that Tiff said it can reach temperatures of 1000DegC ?

Yeah I do recall something along those lines, I have it recorded so might watch it again later... excuse to have a drool    I don't think I've ever seen Tiff so excited, I thought he might wet himself at any moment!! (I guess I would be the same!) 

[R32UK]

Whats the point in having an R32 then apart from getting a nice noise in a tunnel?

Very wet roads apparently.

And personally I really like the seats.

However, couldn't justify the extra dosh over my GTi

Luckily for me my R32 cost me less than a Gti would (leased) so Im more than happy to have a car worth £5k more than the standard Gti. For me the R32 sounds better, handles better, and no doubt in the wet would leave most 2WD's for spray. Agreed that as Hurdy said the stats are not always correct as he found on his runs. But I really do belive your getting a better, more composed car. No real back up for this statement, thats just how it feels. Ask anyone who has driven or owned both cars. As for that crap about understeer!!! Add power and there is no such thing as understeer, the power shifts to the back, and anywhere you point the thing it goes.