VW's US Surprises: GTI Cup Spec Racing Series and the New R32

Volkswagen of America has recently announcedonly 5,000 units. The new R32 is scheduled to hit
that it will operate a production-based GTI Cupdealerships in August.
spec racing series beginning in 2008 to giveThe R32 was first introduced in the US market
chance to aspiring young racers who wantsin the year 2004 and shortly after its debut a
dreams of entering the professional motorsportsgreat number of units were sold out. For this year
someday. The new series is going to besince the R32 is offered in limited number only,
sanctioned by the Sports Club of America.Volkswagen will set up a reservation system in
According to Volkswagen Motorsport Directorwhich through its R32 micro site on the
Kris NIssen, "Volkswagen as an automotiveautomaker's official web site. Interested R32
manufacturer is represented around the globe,customers are to complete a "purchase interest"
and we have a strong history in motorsports,form, generating what Volkswagen describes as
including successful spec racing Cup programs inan R32 certificate. The first 850 people who
more than 10 countries. The GTI Cup in Americawould present an R32 certificate plus deposit to a
will underscore Volkswagen's competitive spiritVolkswagen's dealer will be able to get one of the
and the inspiration we take from racing into thefirst R32 vehicles.
building of our vehicles."The R32 just like other Volkswagen's
Although the GTI Cup racer was optimized formasterpieces is built using only the best auto
track performance and safety, the core or theparts and that includes Volkswagen motor mount
life of the GTI remains to be the street version'swhich is popular for quality and durability. The R32
high-tech, 200 horsepower 2.0T four-cylinderis powered by a 3.2 liter V6 that produces 250 hp
engine that delivers 207 ft-lbs of torque. It is alsoand 236 ft-lbs of torque. It is also outfitted with a
fitted with an automated manual DSG®standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive. The automaker
transmission, electro-mechanical powersaid it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just
rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced6.4 seconds.
multi-link fully independent sports-tuned rearOther features of the R32 include: twin chrome
suspension. In short the production GTI is anexhausts, 18 inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights,
extremely capable machine to take on any racinga unique front grille and R32 badging. Its standard
challenge.features are consist of a rear roof spoiler, deep
Meanwhile the German automaker has alsofront spoiler and body-color bumpers, side bump
confirmed that its motorsports-inspiredstrips, door handles and door mirrors. It also
250-horsepower R32 is returning to the US thisboasts of safety features like electronic stability
year but also added that quantity will be limited tocontrol and antilock brakes.