i think i will go with DSG again + 4 doors, if it’s possible

i already have a R32 2008 with unitronic flashe’s (dsg+ecu) / C.A.I / neuspeed catback… guys that car deliver baddddasssely a + – 280hp and bring any 2004 to fight at Calabogie Race Track…i’ll show to retro-type-manual guy !! that my 2008 R32 is the toy!

i like 2004…but it’s a 2000 frame & tech…..10 years old stuff guysss… i know you american guyss spit on 08′ R32 because of DSG… i trully think north of the border that are the BEST customer of VW in north America and SALES prove-it…espically in province of Québec. We like VW up there and give me chance to choose a 2004 that fiends of mine own VS a 2008… i still choose my 2008 !!! DSG wont make me a VW hater like some US persons did with the 08 R32

VW made a Huuuuuge mistake at first by shipping 5000 units to the US instead of having all in canada!!!!! They could have easyly sales them here without all the hating and negativism they endure in US

see ya in my R20, i hope before any american !!!!!
LOVE FROM CANADA

The comparison suggestion is brilliant. And of course you are right. You show some incredible knowledge. I think VWoA could use you, and I am serious!

Thanks again and please feel free to opine any time.

Tim

A few of the other items from the discussion:

1. Though VWAG worldwide has been doing well, VWoA here in America has not. It seems to be gradually improving, but VWoA hasn’t turned much of a profit since 2002. This, of course, worries them and makes them cautious about new product introductions.
2. The R32 was a surprisingly slow seller. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Group_of_America#cite_note-11), only 133 of them sold in the first four months of 2009. And, interestingly, a search of my local dealerships shows that there’s still at least one brand new one STILL on the showroom floor right now, Nov. 6, 2010, waiting to be sold – no takers. VWoA is reluctant to introduce the R20 if it can’t even sell its predecessor!
3. Here’s a quote that is cut-and-pasted directly from on of the emails I got from VWoA: “There are a lot of rumors of the availability of the R20 and I would agree that there is certainly room for such a vehicle in the model lineup, but the possibility of it being sold in the US will likely depend on how successful VW does in 2011. The upcoming year will be one of the most important in recent company history as the NMS (New Midsize Sedan) and next generation Beetle are already slated for launch alongside the already revised Jetta and just released Touareg 3.” In other words, they already feel they have their hands full with new model introductions and don’t want to dilute their efforts with a model that might meet the same fate as the 2008 R32 (highly criticized non-seller).

So, while they mentioned their surprise at the negative comments and criticism of the 2008 R32, it was only one facet of the conversation. Thus, I can’t say their stance is punitive. Probably just overly cautious because I agree that the R20 would sell like gangbusters. I certainly know that I am dying to get my hands on one!

BTW, I agree with your criticism of the 2008 R32, but I would have come at it from a different direction – comparing it to the GTI.

If you look at the latest Road & Track (Dec., 2010), there’s a road test summary on p. 122. that has some surprising data:

Car R32 GTI
weight 3720 3370
0-60mph 6.0 6.1
0-100mph 16.3 15.8
1/4 mi. 14.6 14.6
at 95.0mph 96.9mph
skidpad .85g .86g
slalom 65.9mph 66.2mph

OK, so this is a 2010 GTI vs a 2008 R32, but they are similarly equipped – 3-door, DSG trans, etc. Look at the figures – the GTI WINS everything but the 0-60 time! Unbelievable! In fact, when I started corresponding with VWoA to find out about the release date of the R20, they told me to consider buying the GTi because it was “comparable!”

The big difference is the weight the R32 has to carry around, negating the extra horsepower and grip of the all-wheel drive.

When you add in the final figure, gas mileage: GTI-25.0mpg, R32-18.2 mpg, I guess I can see why the R32 didn’t sell well.

But that’s EXACTLY the reason I am absolutely wild to get my hands on the R20. At only 3200 lb curb weight and 270 hp, the R20 is NOT “comparable” – it would blow the wheels off the GTI. I want this car so bad, I’m nearly wetting the bed in frustration (fortunately, this is only a figure of speech).

I never imagined that some of the negative takes on the 2008 model would have the opposite affect of making VWoA gun-shy about shipping us the much ballyhooed R20. Gee whiz. On the other hand, the Germans take pride in their cars so I suppose I have to really respect their position. Having said that, I really think that much of the criticism of the 2008 model was well founded. The 2008 version was heavier was it not, with no improved power. Much of the sport-oriented aspects of the interior were abandoned, and shifting enthusiasts wanted the option of a 6-speed, which VW refused to give them. In the end, the 2008 model really did not improve on the 2004 model, save for the DSG, which was a big selling point for some.

Anyway, the 20011 R20 seems exciting and for all the right reasons, and it seems like most folks in the enthusiast communities are really excited about the car. So, if that is not enough for VWoA then I do not know what to tell them. VWoA had people waiting in the wings to snatch the 2011 model right up. The body style was acceptable, the better brakes, the improved turbo power plant and fuel economy looked like a terrific plus, especially to the tuners out there. I don’t know. Seems to me with the level of enthusiasm surrounding the R20, there is no other way to view VW’s stance than to view it as punitive. What say you??

I am still holding out hope because of the “at this time” part, but I was also very curious as to why they are so reluctant.

You may remember, when the R20 was first announced, most sources reported glowingly that importing the R20 to America was a certainty. Road & Track, Car and Driver, etc. all said it was on its way. Why the about face?

Well, after prodding the folks at VWoA a bit, I came up with a surprising revelation. It seems upper management at VWoA was more than a bit stung about how negatively the 2008 R32 was received – by sites such as this one and others. They were quite surprised by all the negativity and criticism leveled at them by people they thought would be enthusiasts. It’s not like they’re taking their ball and going home, but the experience has made them decide to take a much longer, much harder look at the situation to be sure of what they are getting into before they commit again.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if this site’s professed love for the 2004 R32, as embodied in it’s criticism of the 2008 R32, is what leads us all to be denied the ability to purchase the 2010 (or ’11 or ’12) R20?

Cheers

Nick

Ready to empty my piggy bank!

R.O.