2007 Chicago Auto Show: Volkswagen R32

Only 5,000 VW R32s, the hottest member of the Rabbit family, will go on sale in the U.S. come August. Current GTI and R32 owners are already being contacted about reserving one of the 250-hp V-6, DSG-equipped, all-wheel-drive — with a rear-wheel bias — hatchbacks via a special microsite 5000r32.com.

The R32 has a number of upgrades over the standard Rabbit in addition to its powertrain, including 18-inch wheels, a unique grille, twin chrome exhaust, bi-xenon headlights, sport seats, stability control, antilock brakes and, of course, a rear roof spoiler. More photos below. 

Comments

Only 5000 R32's, have they not learned? Like before, I never had the chance to see one outside of a car show. Tuner shops out west in California. And the price? Over priced with the dealer mark-up! You can get an AUDI A4s or RS for the price...

They should produce more for the regular people!

No they shouldn't.

The cars for the hardcore enthusiasts. And this car delivers. By making more they're taking away the chance at a Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in the future. You won't find any Audi but the R8 there someday.

Why keep with with the VR6? They have a perfectly capable Turbo 4. We all saw the R GTI.

Why are they saying its the "First AWD transmission?" What does that mean? And a "more powerful V6?" Does this have more torque than the last one, because the HP output appears to be the same?

Why no manual transmission? Its not that the DSG isn't one hell of an engineering marvel, because it is, but you mean to tell me that all prospective owners would choose paddles over the real thing?

Well, fine then. 5000 seems reasonable to me. I have no problem letting them be in their own exclusive club.