FOTD: Let This Wookie Win A Spot In Your Garage

Ahhhh, the Volkswagen R32. In 2003 the engineers at VW blessed the European buying public with a model stuffed full of all their latest goodies. It was as if an enthusiast’s fairy godmother waved her magic wand and all their automotive dreams came true: a torquey 3.2 liter VR6 engine, Haldex AWD, independent rear suspension, upgraded brakes with blue calipers, 18 inch wheels, Konig sport seats, a subtle yet aggressive body kit, and a six-speed manual transmission or the all-new dual clutch DSG transmission. Add to that the luxurious interior, exceptional fit and finish, and dynamic styling of the MKIV models, and fans the world over rejoiced.

Volkswagen added the MKIV R32 to the U.S. lineup in 2004. For years fans had been clamoring for a performance model to take on Subaru’s WRX and Mitsubishi’s EVO. With the powerful engine and all-wheel drive, they thought they finally had the car that bested the others. Many automotive magazines and websites also had high hopes for this car. For the most part, it delivered: 0-60 in 6.6 seconds (6.4 for DSG models) was incredible for the time.

But even with all that kit, the R32 didn’t win comparison tests. Reviewers praised the power, torque, and sounds of the six-cylinder engine: the turbocharged fours in the competitors were buzzy and suffered from lag. Things that held it back were weight, a traction-based AWD system that engages when the front wheels slip, and, surprisingly, that the model was too luxurious. Well, they stated the model was more relaxed in its steering and handling than the others, but the R32 wasn’t created to be a balls-to-the-wall model where pure performance numbers were the ultimate goal. No, this was more of a grand tourer. A car with serious performance chops without being harsh. A canyon carver. And while it didn’t win comparisons, it was heaped with praise for being a smooth operator.

If you own one, you’ll find the MKIV R32 has a passionate fan base. Owners flock to the Tail of the Dragon every April for the annual Wookies in the Woods event (the noises from VR6 have been compared to those made by Han Solo’s second in command Chewbacca). I can’t think of a better way to flex this big-engined monster than on the twists and turns of the Dragon.

This Find Of The Day 2004 Deep Blue Pearl MKIV R32 is currently owned by VWVortex user ianfromflorida. It’s located in, you guessed it, Florida. Some recent work has been done focusing on passenger and engine cooling, and the car has new tires. It has 145,000 miles on the odometer. Asking price is $8500. You can find the car in our classified section; more photos are included in the owner’s craigslist ad.

The post FOTD: Let This Wookie Win A Spot In Your Garage appeared first on VWVortex.

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Review: Saying Goodbye to the CC V6

For all its size and its global reach, Volkswagen is still, in many ways, a deeply human company. There was, for instance, the Bugatti Veyron an ego project if ever there was one. Then the purchase of Ducati, a move most called folly. And then there was the Phaeton, the Volkswagen that most folks can’t afford. Not only were these moves all strange, I’m sure that they made VW’s accountants furious. None of them made good business sense, but they were all deeply interesting and they all are evidence of the heart that beats at the center of VW. Among these follies is the CC, a car that everyone agrees is rakishly handsome, but that no one really wanted to buy. The car couldn’t last, but the world is brighter for its having been in it. With the approach debut of the Arteon, it seems like a good time to look back on its sadly departing predecessor. The version I drove, because I live in Canada, is a V6 Wolfsburg Edition, which apparently isn’t available in the States. Nor is the V6, not as

Waterfest Moves to Atco Dragway

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Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan

Filed under: Government/Legal , Green , Mitsubishi , Fuel Efficiency , Japan Mitsubishi says its shady fuel-economy test practices may have been used on all vehicles it sells and has sold in Japan. Continue reading Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2016 12:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments from Autoblog Volkswagen http://ift.tt/21X3bHv

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