Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 3189cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Golf shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Golf's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1552 kgs (3421 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3189cc 24V V6 engine produces 237 bhp (176 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Golf you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 260 (177.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Golf.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf has a Power to weight ratio of 152.7 bhp per ton and 152.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Golf competing with the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 260 (177.5 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (177.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Golf generating around 152.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (176.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1999 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 (176.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.72 secs @ 92.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (14.66 secs), the 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i (14.66 secs), and the 2018 BMW X6 M50d 3.0 Turbo (14.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 has a maximum speed of 153mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Golf equals the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (164 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 then how about the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (164 mph), the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S (164 mph), or the 1967 Ford GT 40 (164 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison