What Is It?
2006 Volkswagen R32

What's Special About It?
Consider the R32 Volkswagen's best attempt at a real muscle car. It starts off as a lowly Golf hatchback, adds all-wheel drive, a big V6 and ground-sucking bodywork. The result is a surefooted hatchback with European style, a far cry from the Japanese rally look of most all-wheel-drive performance cars.

Like the previous version of the R32, this one uses a 3.2-liter VR6 engine. Tuned to produce an even 250 horsepower, it's good for a 0-to-60 time of 6.2 seconds when equipped with the DSG automatic gearbox. Go for the six-speed manual and Volkswagen will only promise a 6.5-second sprint to 60 mph. Four Motion all-wheel drive splits the power between the front and rear wheels.

The R32 sits eight-tenths of an inch lower than the standard Golf and rides on 18-inch 20-spoke light alloy wheels and 225/40R18 tires. Like the previous R32 this one also gets blue brake calipers. They grip huge 13.6-inch front and 12.2-inch brake rotors.

Beyond the blue calipers, the R32 is recognizable by its metallic-trimmed front fascia, extended side skirts and painted rear bumper with integrated black diffuser. Twin chrome pipes and "R32" badging are the final touches to the exterior. Some like the minimalist look of the GTI, but we think the R32 is about as good as this Golf is going to get.

Unlike the stripped-down GTI, the R32 is a fully loaded top-of-the-line model. Almost all of the Golf's optional equipment comes standard on the R32, including automatic climate control, a 10-speaker premium audio system and bi-xenon headlights. Unique gauges, sport seats and aluminum pedals are additional R32 touches that are sure to make it popular when it goes on sale in Europe this fall.

What's Edmunds' Take?
We have yet to see Golfs on our shores let alone GTIs and R32s. Volkswagen only sold a limited number of the previous-generation R32, but we're guessing this version might get a bigger run. Some rumors even suggest that the U.S. will get an even more powerful version of this car with a 3.6-liter engine and around 300 hp. Now that would be a proper muscle car. — Ed Hellwig