alexc Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Auto Express Building on the dynamic excellence of the Golf R32 - the most powerful production Golf ever - the firm will launch a range of exclusive R cars. A spokesman said: "We will roll out other R models as well as the R32, and they will be the pinnacle of performance for each model range, much in the same way the S-line has done for Audi." The move has been sparked by a wish to develop a range of cars in line with BMW's M Sport models. GTI will be the accessible performance model, V will continue to signify luxurious fast vehicles, and the new R will mark out the hottest versions. The spokesman confirmed that following on from the R32, an R-badged W8-engined Passat and an R32 Bora V6 would appear. The Passat is likely to be badged R40 to signify its 4.0-litre unit, although a bi-turbo would be ad-ded to put power into the region of a BMW M5-rivalling 400bhp. The Bora will take the 3.2 engine from the Golf R32. But it's not only family sized cars that are in for a power hike. Amazingly, the R range will even stretch to the luxury Phaeton model and the forthcoming Touareg off-roader. An R-badged Phaeton W12 will be developed as a rival to the likes of the Mercedes S55 AMG, and a super-sporty Touareg will have the 4.6-litre BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne in its sights. However, bosses are keen for the Touareg to use a tuned version of the 5.0-litre V10 diesel powerplant, which will be seen in the Phaeton next year. In standard spec, this engine produces 313bhp and 750Nm of torque, so in modified guise it should give the off-roader sports car-rivalling performance. It would be badged R50. For a full racing machine feel, several hot VWs will also get a development of the paddleshift gearbox first seen on the Phaeton. This is expected to appear on versions of the R32 next year, with a decision yet to be made on what other models will get it. Gavin Ward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeuSkoolA3 Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Nice... Hope you didn't type all that lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4dreamer Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Interesting article about the overall direction of VW cars. I'm rather concerned about the Passat R40 - if it is 400bhp (and that's only speculation at this stage), then it would be significantly ahead of the new S4 and not too far behind the next RS4. I kind-of like the Passat, but it's not an Audi (or BMW for that matter) in terms of desirability, so it puzzles me why VW would muddy the high-end like this, and possibly devalue the Audi S brands in this way. Hey ho, but what do I know, though ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Right lets get this straight! A Golf R32 is supposed to appeal to 20-30 somethings with high disposabe income, and the subtle but not overstated styling, and reasonably brisk performance is enough but not too much to get them into a whole load of trouble! But a Bora, come on FFS, sounds like its gonna be as much of a success as the Vento VR6! VW are going to have to try harder than that! Whislt we're at it, you'd have to be mad to buy the 4L passat, just think of the depreciation! The W8 will drop like a stone in any case! Just my twopenneth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4dreamer Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 The Bora R32 will probably appeal to the US market rather more than the UK (or possibly European) market because we seem to prefer hatchbacks over their booted bretheren. Personally, I don't really like the Bora at all. Then again, I prefer the Golf over the A3, so make of that what you will Agree with you on the Passat Danksy - it'll probably drop faster than those BMW 740i's of a few years back. Although it will have some rarity value I would guess, but if you're that well-healed, why buy a Passat in the first place, when you could have a much better (IMHO) Audi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 [ QUOTE ] I prefer the Golf over the A3, so make of that what you will [/ QUOTE ] <font color="red">BLASPHEMER!!!</font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4dreamer Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 Thought that'd provoke a reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 I considered an S3, but ended up prefering the PD150, with £4k of options! - I don't know if I'll live to regret it, but I've still got 18mnths to go on my licence before I get rid of these bloody 12 points! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobK Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 At least you've got a license </grumble> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snez22 Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 platform sharing is the totally wrong way to go about making cars. sure cheap cars like 307's and C5's but your can't platform share luxury brands. people don't wanna pay top money to find their car is using the same drivetrain as a skoda or seat. its the kind of thing that is killing the car industry. if platform sharing is so economical and saves money, then why are cars still so expensive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted January 12, 2003 Report Share Posted January 12, 2003 Snezz its called profit! And the feckers will market their cars to appeal to use to the extent we will pay huge wads for them. IIRC for every audi sold, something like £600 has gone on advertising of some sort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 IIRC V.A.G said they are moving away from platform sharing with their new gneration of cars...which is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAdams Posted April 19, 2005 Report Share Posted April 19, 2005 [ QUOTE ] if platform sharing is so economical and saves money, then why are cars still so expensive? [/ QUOTE ] Cars aren't so expensive. Taking into account inflation etc, cars are actually cheaper now than ever and they're packed with so many features that didn't even exist on luxury cars twenty years ago that even that doesn't tell the whole story. Cars are now cheaper than ever, its just that people's expectations of what is acceptable as a car keeps growing too. If you want a basic, reliable car that goes 0-60 in the same kind of times as sportscars of yore you can get it for less than 10k. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted April 20, 2005 Report Share Posted April 20, 2005 The Bora handles like a dog though. I had two of them and it's live driving a high speed hippo. I really hope they revise the suspension before dropping in the up-rated engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 If they put an auto box (Tip) in the Bora R32, then I would consider it. I would love a Passat W8, but cannot afford to buy one yet. Also, I would never consider a Passat as competition to a BMW 5/E-Class. Not sure where these marketing people are coming from on that front. i think they have visions of grandeur. Most of the buying public do not know/nor probably care about the platform sharing bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I would love a Passat W8, but cannot afford to buy one yet. [/ QUOTE ] Honestly, you do not want a W8. Been there, done that and thrown away the tee-shirt. Buy a big boat instead, better ride quality!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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