Sport Autos "Super Test" for R32MkV

[tonymac]

In Septembers edition of Sport Auto Magazine they tested the MkV R32 in there legedary "Super test".

For those who are not aware what this is, it's probably best decribed at the most comprehensive auto test where the public can read about the performance of there vehciles.

Most performance cars past and present have been subjected to the test, and the timed lap of the nordschleife being the toughest test that sets a benchmark time to judge others competitor vehicles by.

The complete tests consists of:

1. Timed lap of the nordschleife

2. Kleiner Kurs (small coarse) of Hockenheim

3. 0-200km/h-0 time

4. Max Cornering G

5. 36m slalom coarse

6. High speed lane change

7. Wet handling Coarse

8. Brake testing (cold/warm)

plus 0-100 times, in gear acceleration, 18meter slalom test, vehilcle weight, front/rear axel lift at 200km/h and and and....

Timed lap of the nordschleife: 8.49 mins (MkIV 8.37)/(GTI MK5 8.53)

Kleiner Kurs (small coarse)of Hockenheim: 1.20.3mins (MKIV 1.20.7)/(GTI MK5 1.21.8)

0-200km/h-0 time: 35.5secs (MKIV 33.1)/(MK5GTI 39.6)

Max Cornering G: 1.1g (MKIV 1.1g)/(MK5GTI 1.1g)

36m slalom coarse: 125km/h (MKIV 124km/h)/(MK5GTI 124km/h)

High speed lane change: 134km/h (MKIV 126km/h)/(MK5GTI 134km/h)

Wet handling Coarse: 1.30.7mins (MKIV the didn't use that test when they tested MkIV in 2002CY)/(MK5GTI 135.1mins)

Brake testing (cold/warm): from 100km/h to 0 cold

36.6m/or 10.5m/s decelertion

from 100km/h to 0 warm

37.0m/or 10.4m/s deceleration

from 200km/h to 0 warm

150m, or 10.3m/s deceleration.

Vehicle weight full tank (no driver) 1591Kg

Front/ rear split 59,1/40.9%

0-100Km/h 6.9secs

0-160Km/h 16.6secs

0-200Km/h 30.1secs

Top speed 250Km/h

In their summing up of the "ring" time they were not to kind i'm affraid:

"You can torment it and can throw it quite violently into the corners.

The VW R32 handling is neutralizing (neutral) and its (load) behavior also is good with the esp turned off.

At the end of the day it forgives, at the same time so well behaved of mistakes.

The feeling and subjective perceived speed receives to be sure and strong, though the disappointing "ring" lap time,

the twelve seconds defecit to the predecessor (mkIV) are a disgrace that is caused in first instance by its strongly increased weight"

Tony Mac.

PS if there are any german speakers on this forum who wish to make a better translation, buy the magazine and please do!

[ClimberSP]

So, that means that VW didn't improve so much with the new R32. 12 seconds is a lot!!!!!:-O

[rs32]

having driven the MkV round a track, I can see why the 12 second gap exists - suspension struggles with lateral weight shift and the ESP goes mental if left on. There's no hiding the fact that the weight plus the softer suspension makes for squidgy track behaviour in standard form.

however it makes it a comfortable car with a great ride - and there's always the KW V3 coilover kit ! Have also been on track with the V3 kit fitted to a MkV and it was excellent IMO - very controlled and composed. This will be going on the car tomorrow

very different stock suspension setups on the 2 models

[Luke]

not driven a mkV so cannot judge handling but the mkIV was great through the bends and twists of a country lane. Its where it made other cars look silly and you could pull away as you didnt to slow down. You could see cars behind you going all over the place where you just stayed on line and drove away from them. It was the original R's best feature. Not surprised by VW going down the slightly softer route of the mkV to make it easy to live with day to day. Funny because I'd love a stripped out light Golf with 300bhp and 4wd

[v6tas]

[ QUOTE ]

having driven the MkV round a track, I can see why the 12 second gap exists - suspension struggles with lateral weight shift and the ESP goes mental if left on. There's no hiding the fact that the weight plus the softer suspension makes for squidgy track behaviour in standard form.

however it makes it a comfortable car with a great ride - and there's always the KW V3 coilover kit ! Have also been on track with the V3 kit fitted to a MkV and it was excellent IMO - very controlled and composed. This will be going on the car tomorrow

very different stock suspension setups on the 2 models

[/ QUOTE ]

With yours and many others comments taken into consideration my impression is that VW produced the MK5 R32 in the same vain as the MK4 V6 4MOTION, a long distance tourer with poke, rather than the MK4 R32 which (IMHO) was designed as an "end of line" hard core sports model. I havent as yet had the pleasure of a test drive in a MK5 but would be interested in your comments to the above

[rs32]

[ QUOTE ]

With yours and many others comments taken into consideration my impression is that VW produced the MK5 R32 in the same vain as the MK4 V6 4MOTION, a long distance tourer with poke, rather than the MK4 R32 which (IMHO) was designed as an "end of line" hard core sports model. I havent as yet had the pleasure of a test drive in a MK5 but would be interested in your comments to the above

[/ QUOTE ]

that's completely fair with the understanding that that the MkV chassis is pretty good, even with a heavy V6 up front. It just needs reining back slightly in the corners and this is possible from what I've experienced. On the track it wallows on the suspension through the corners - the turning forces are too great for the spring stiffness.

With the coilover kit fitted to another car there was no wallow - it felt sorted. My setup tomorrow will be around 1/2 way to just give that next level in composure. This isn't about grip for me - 95% of what I'm trying to sort is wallow/lean when cornering. Keeping compliance is also very important for the sort of journeys and mileage I sometimes do.

Having had a MkIV V6 4mo for 30k+ miles and after 12k in the MkV, it is definitely more grown up than the 4mo - but not in a "flat cap with wood trim" way

Although can't deny its a compromise when compared to the MkIV .:R - but that's why I went for it .