As part of the background research for a VW MkIII/MkIV brake buyer's guide, we contacted Autotech Sport Tuning to see what they had cooking in high-performance brakes. A few years ago, we looked at the company's Audi-based big brake kit for MkIIIs, and we wanted to see how the market had changed.
With 75k miles rapidly approaching on our subject car's odometer, it became time to address the brake system, due both to everyday wear and tear and the fact that the extended warranty would soon expire, thus raising the possibility of performance modifications and the need for additional braking.
Most fortuitously, our inquiry came close on the heels of the company's introduction of a VW R32-based brake kit, so we decided to put it to the test. At the time we began, Autotech had secured the entire supply of replacement R32 brake parts.
For those who have been stranded on a deserted island for the past year or so, the R32 is Volkswagen's ber-Golf, with 241 bhp, 236 lb-ft of torque, and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Tipping the scales well past 3,000 lb, the R32 has serious braking needs.
The Specs
R32 front rotors are 334x32mm, much larger than a New Beetle 's 280- or 288mm diameter (2.0L and 1.8T). Audi TT Quattro brakes measure 312x25mm. Round back, the R32 has 256x22mm vented rotors compared to the regular 232x9mm solid discs of the MkIV 2.0 and 1.8T cars.
Unlike a racing-bred brake kit, the R32 uses a two-piston, floating caliper similar in design to ordinary Golf parts. The calipers are painted blue to evoke memories of high-performance Audi and Volkswagens past.
The front rotors are directionally vented to enhance air cooling. An arrow cast into the hub shows the direction of travel. The rotor is cast in two pieces-a lightweight aluminum center with radial spokes attaching it to the heavier cast iron rotor. In addition to making the large part lighter, it just looks cool.