No 2009 Volkswagen R32 for the U.S.

[WRXWagon2112]

Linky

The Volkswagen R32 has a die-hard following here in the States. Unfortunately for the sprightly hatchback's groupies, you'll have to head overseas if you want a 2009 model. Volkswagen spokesman Thomas Wegehaupt confirmed the R32's early exit out of the U.S., which means the original 5,000-unit allotment of hot hatches will be the only current-generation R32s to make it Stateside. Part of the reason for the discontinued R32 could have something to do with next year's arrival of the MK VI Golf Rabbit, which will be followed by a new GTI and possibly another R32.

The folks over at Kicking Tires say there are still 276 '08 models left in the US, so there are a few chances left to pick an R32 up. The remaining copies of the $32,995 hatch has $2,000 on the hood, too, so those last examples come at a discount. Is a 250-hp Golf with AWD worth a $31,000 entry price when the GTI is almost as fast for nearly $10,000 less? That may have something to do with the fact that we won't have an '09 R32 in the first place.

--Alan

[chicken n waffles]

Is a 250-hp Golf with AWD worth a $31,000 entry price when the GTI is almost as fast for nearly $10,000 less?

NO.

[Katya4me]

I like this possible alternative:

Volkswagen reconsiders bringing Scirocco to the States

Posted Oct 27th 2008 8:57AM by Damon Lavrinc
Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/volk ... he-states/
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen has heard our cries and is reconsidering its previous decision not to offer the Scirocco in the States.

Back when the low-slung hatch was launched in March, VW was insistent that the Scirocco would never find its way to U.S. shores, fearing that it would cannibalize sales of the GTI and that the strong euro would make it far too expensive.

Automotive News spoke with V-Dub spokesperson, Steve Keyes, who said the outcry from enthusiasts and the apparent popularity of the Scirocco in Europe has VW execs rethinking their initial decision. According to Keyes, "There's no real decision yet," and that if the Scirocco would be made available in the U.S., it would be positioned "a little bit differently." Two words: do it.

[complacent]

I like this possible alternative:

Volkswagen reconsiders bringing Scirocco to the States

Posted Oct 27th 2008 8:57AM by Damon Lavrinc
Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/volk ... he-states/
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen has heard our cries and is reconsidering its previous decision not to offer the Scirocco in the States.

Back when the low-slung hatch was launched in March, VW was insistent that the Scirocco would never find its way to U.S. shores, fearing that it would cannibalize sales of the GTI and that the strong euro would make it far too expensive.

Automotive News spoke with V-Dub spokesperson, Steve Keyes, who said the outcry from enthusiasts and the apparent popularity of the Scirocco in Europe has VW execs rethinking their initial decision. According to Keyes, "There's no real decision yet," and that if the Scirocco would be made available in the U.S., it would be positioned "a little bit differently." Two words: do it.

Dr. Mr./Mrs. Vee-Dub,

Please give us a car like the first GTI and Scirocco. Our market needs a "value segment" German competitor. If we could afford to spend $Texas on a car that only kinda competes, we'd all be driving middle-of-the-road 3 series.

Hugs and Kisses,
America's not-super-wealthy-yet-craving-performance-and-moderate-prices drivers.


(PS - You said drivers wanted... Was that some kind of sick joke?)

[Mr Kleen]

as soon as I saw the new Scirocco I hoped that it would come to the US. when I found out it wasn't I thought to myself VW should put the Scirocco on the R32 drivetrain! it makes perfect sense: the R32 didn't have enough exterior distinction from the GTI to justify it's price to US consumers and the Scirocco had a lot of style but no substance to make it distinct from the GTI. it's a win/win from product planning perspective. the only issue is getting the Scirocco federalized for crash standards and getting it imported for a competitive price.

[zaxrex]

Pshhh, little things.

[drwrx]

as soon as I saw the new Scirocco I hoped that it would come to the US. when I found out it wasn't I thought to myself VW should put the Scirocco on the R32 drivetrain! it makes perfect sense: the R32 didn't have enough exterior distinction from the GTI to justify it's price to US consumers and the Scirocco had a lot of style but no substance to make it distinct from the GTI. it's a win/win from product planning perspective. the only issue is getting the Scirocco federalized for crash standards and getting it imported for a competitive price.

I agree on every point.

Again, I have always liked the R32, but for $33k it will never be on my list, ever.