By Bill C.

"Microbus" Gratefully Dead

VW Microbus Concept – Remember that cool concept Microbus concept we were promised would be coming to the U.S.? Latest news on the street (now confirmed) is that VW has announced that the Microbus is dead, but long live the minivan; all in the interest of profits… go figure. That unique styling that was promised for U.S. “dead heads” has bit the big bullet in favor of a minivan (global dude). We will see something built on the T5 van chassis in 2007 (or beyond)… but no cool microbus. And here I was thinking about one to tow Lightnin’. Better hang onto my R/T. Shucky darn!

Maybe So

More Rs?  – You like the R32? I do. So do a lot of other Americans. Volkswagen has noticed. They are considering development of a line of factory-tuned vehicles and accessories. So, we may hear something soon, since next generation Golf, Jetta, GTI & Passat are just a couple years away. Arrr, arrr, ARRR!  

Arthur T. Tu

R32 is Here – The Golf based R32 is here as you know. I got to eyeball 3 of them in early June at the 2004 GROOVE show. Wow! Hot! It will set you back close to $32K. But it costs to compete with Evo’s & STi’s. Quite a step up from what we are use to in the GTI, it has the 240-hp version of the VR6, with a 6-speed manual and 4motion drive. Additionally, expect about 5.9 seconds 0-60 mph, but without all the turbo-lag of its 4-banger competitors. The MQ350 tranny is said to be a big improvement over its predecessors for shift feel.Of course, there are vented 4-wheel disc brakes; BIG discs, that lock the R32s 18” Eagle F1s to a blistering 60-0 stop in just 108 feet. Scrape yourself off the windshield and get back into those heated seats yet? And the Monsoon stereo should have the moon roof jumping too. Testers seem to agree on one thing… or maybe TWO: The VR6’s power is a lot smoother than that of the turbo’d 4-bangers…. And more “mature.”