2009 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

The hot-hatch marked the end of the British sports car industry. Early examples such as the Golf GTI proved to be just as fast, just as fun and far more practical than their two-seater counterparts. The GTI was an instant hit with petrolheads looking to balance sports car performance with everyday practicality and reliability.

Fast forward to the early 90’s and things at Volkswagen had snowballed. Following the success of the MK1 & 2, the engineers had cooked up a whole new engine concept for the MK3 Golf, the VR6. A naturally aspirated 2.8 litre 12v engine was the first 6-cylinder to be fitted to a Golf. Despite poor reviews about the sluggish performance, journalists could at least agree that it sounded awesome. It would be the start of great things to come.

By the time the MK4 R32 stormed onto the scene, a larger and more powerful 3.2 litre 24v VR6 would provide the blueprint for what followed. The R32 was no comfortable cruise liner like its MK3 predecessor, this 237bhp thug meant business. The introduction of a Haldex all-wheel-drive system helped to improve handling and put down the extra power, becoming a cult classic among young petrolheads.

The first R32 would be a tough act to follow, but Volkswagen possesses the Midas touch when it comes to producing cars that perfectly tap into the zeitgeist of our collective imaginations. Classic Beetles and Campervans aside, the Golf brand has endured. Its enthusiasts cultivate a formidable and prestigious culture, even pioneering magazine publications dedicated to both modified creations and concours restorations.

It would be doing Volkswagen a disservice to assume the R32 is just a souped up GTI. That would be too easy. The 2.0litre turbocharged item in the GTI has been left on the shelf. A revised 3.2 litre VR6 lump provides a powerful but usable 247bhp and 320N⋅m of torque to propel the silver hatchback down the road, capable of a top speed of 155mph and a 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds.

Sporting bigger brakes and uprated suspension with a fast and intuitive 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) lifted straight from the first generation Audi TT, it was understandably a big hit in the US where drivers are more inclined to forgo the 6-speed manual. But here in the UK, the silky smooth manual remains the one to cop for both drivers and collectors.

Styling is understated, in true Volkswagen fashion. Like the MK4 R32 that came before, there was little to elevate this new R32 from the GTI model of the same generation. An aluminium front grill, colour-coded side skirts, 18” alloy wheels and twin exit exhaust pipes protrude from a subtly reworked rear bumper. You could be excused for overlooking the R32 on the street, but to those in the know it is widely regarded as a thoroughbred Greyhound masquerading as a faithful Labrador.

Whilst the R32 moniker would mark the last Golf to house a 6-cylinder engine, this Reflex Silver Golf remains an incredibly well appointed example and lacking no creature comforts whatsoever.

With the iconic MK1 Golf GTI already a proud part of our collection, it was a no-brainer that we should celebrate its legacy by welcoming to the fold the last Golf to ever house a 6-cylinder engine.

This R32 has been a member of our Hero Collection since 2014 and driven sparingly to preserve its incredible condition. Featured on our YouTube channel in 2025, this 6-speed manual R32 featured alongside an identical silver DSG R32 to determine which transmission ruled supreme.

With our collection growing and evolving, we have decided to find a new custodian for this iconic yet understated performance hatchback. To ensure this R32 is the best in the country, our workshop will carry out the all-important Hero Motor Company future-proofing. The underside of the car will be thoroughly washed, inspected for any sign of surface corrosion, taken back to bare metal where necessary and repainted with factory product before a final application of clear cavity wax. A complete programme of work totalling over £3,500 alone.

As part of the sales preparation, the R32 will pass through our workshop for an Oil and Filter Service, Brake Fluid change, Haldex Oil and Filter change, two new tyres and a year's MOT added to the car.

Our Thoughts

The key difference between a V6 and a VR6 engine lies in their cylinder bank arrangement. A V6 engine has two rows of three cylinders set at a 60 or 90-degree angle. Volkswagen’s VR6 has only a 15 degree angle between cylinder banks, allowing them to share a single cylinder head. This makes the VR6 more compact and lighter than a traditional V6.

Full Specification:

Engine: 3189cc

Date of Production: 19/06/2008

Date of Registration: 18/03/2009

Previous Owners: 3

Mileage: 41,500 miles

Main Dealer & Specialist Service History

Spare Key

6-Speed Manual

Exterior Colour: Reflex Silver Metallic

Black 'Vienna' Leather Sports Seats

Leather Multifunction Steering Wheel

18" Alloy Wheels

Air-Conditioning

Radio Navigation System

Electric Door Mirrors

Colour Coded Bumpers

Centre Front Armrest

Front & Rear Electric Windows

Auto-Dip Rearview Mirror

VW Bottle Opener

Bury Phone Pairing System

Side Turn Signals White

Centre Rear Armrest

Rear Tinted Windows

Electronic Stability Control

Headrests Mechanically Adjustable

Headlight Washer System

Cruise Control System

Brake Pad Wear Sensors