Just poking around, the car feels the same as a completely stock R32, which is to say damn good. On Irwindale's eighth-mile drag strip, the Haldex upgrade instantly made its presence known, yielding a brutally hard launch with nary a whiff of tire smoke. We hooked an equally prepped R32 to the new Vericom Performance Computer and recorded zero to 60 mph times of 6.0 seconds, nearly four-tenths faster than a previously tested stock car. So far so good.
On the road course, super-aggressive driving was rewarded with gorgeous tail-wagging drifts. It ain't the fastest way around a track but it's certainly more fun. Take more serious lines and the R32 becomes positively neutral-you decide where it goes with the throttle.
As stated before, the Haldex performance upgrade is best left to the experienced driver. Unless its capabilities are properly utilized, it's a waste of hardware. However, should you need more performance from your R32, the Haldex performance upgrade is an excellent place to start.
SoCal R32On May 16, 2004, Daria Saidi (aka CHUNK85) arranged what would be the first of many "get togethers" (GTG) for R32 enthusiasts in Southern California. It drew 15 R32 owners out on a Sunday afternoon for a cruise up PCH and a spirited drive through the canyons. Afterwards, a mailing list was created to keep everyone up to date on the next GTG. With that, SoCal R32 was established.
The second GTG in Malibu drew 25 R32s, and the third took place at VF Engineering where a whopping 75 cars turned out. In December, SoCal R32 threw a charity event for Toys for Tots. Sixty R32s and more than 100 people donated toys and money.
In actuality, SoCal R32 membership is spread through the western states and some members drive many hours to be with like-minded R32 owners. There are no dues or monthly meetings, but rather a unique bond between folks that have shelled out some 30K for a VW Golf. In a way, it makes them the most hardcore of VW fans. Surprisingly, a good many SoCal R32 members are new to the Volkswagen scene. They purchased the car after first driving its competition. There's a message about the R32's fundamental goodness in there somewhere.
SoCal R32 continues to grow as some 200 registered users log on and exchange tips and information. It's a labor of love-no one's getting paid to host or update the site. Remember that next time you go there.
SoCal R32 sponsors include: EuroMotive Tuning, Neuspeed, Tuning Technologies, North American Motorsports, GIAC, Exklusiv Motorsports, EuroCullen, 4Grounding, European Technologies, HPA Motorsports, EIP and Parts4VWs.