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The Volkswagen AG press release follows below:

Wolfsburg, 09 August 2005 - It was the most powerful Golf ever. The Golf R32 powered by a 177 kW (241 bhp) engine was first launched in August 2002. Not only was it one of the hottest cars on the road, it also sold like hot cakes: three times as many R32's were sold than originally planned. These are excellent prospects for its successor.

Now comes a new R32 based on the Golf V generation. This time it packs 184 kW (250 bhp) under the bonnet; the permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive again promises excellent roadholding. The new model will see its world premiere at the 59th Frankfurt Motor Show (15 to 25 September). Presales in Germany start on 19 August. Market launch will be at the end of September. Prices for the new Golf R32 start at ?32,200.

Quote of vortex:

Volkswagen AG has released the first official information on the new Golf R32 for the German/European market. The immediate question that will come to North American enthusiasts minds is why another 3.2l VR6? The 3.2l VR6 in this latest generation R32 now has fuel stratisfied injection (FSI) technology and now outputs 250hp more efficiently and with better economy. 250hp is more than adequate for the hot hatch market competition in Europe. Here in North America though the R32 Golf would face competition in the form of the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evolution which push the 300hp boundries in power.

For that reason the current rumors for the U.S. market indicate Volkswagen is instead working on a 300hp version of the new 3.6l VR6 FSI for an "R36" model. Right now the Golf R36 is currently being planned, but there are discussions about creating an R36 Jetta this time around. If you'd like to see a Jetta R36 in addition to a Golf R36 for the U.S. market be sure and chime in with your opinion at the end of this story in our forums.

Want to know more? read this: http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/volkswagen_news/article_1472.shtml