First look: Golf goer heading our way

THE most powerful production Volkswagen Golf ever built has just been unveiled at the Madrid international motor show, and about 50 Australians should eventually get the chance to own one.

The R32 gets its name from the V6 3.2-litre engine that produces 177kW and 320Nm, and gives it a top speed of 245 km/h and acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds.

But the engine is not the only special feature of the R32, which heralds a new family of performance models developed by VW's "R" (for racing) motorsport division.

There's also a six-speed transmission, VW's all-wheel drive 4Motion system and massive 18-inch wheels wrapped in 225/40 ZR18 rubber.

The R32 will be launched in Europe in late summer (their time), with Aussie plans calling for the low volume import of about 50 examples some time after that.

Volkswagen Group Australia also plans to race four of them in a factory team in the burgeoning GTP production racing car championship next year. Delays in production in Europe forced the company to shelve plans to race the car this year.

"We've already said that it is our intention to sell a limited number of the Golf R32 vehicles in Australia as this is the car we will be racing in GTP next year," said VGA spokesman Brad Leach.

"It was supposed to be this year's race car but because the road car is late, we've taken a year off - our race cars are coming down the assembly line in Wolfsburg any day and we plan to be testing by late July.

"We're just about to submit the paperwork regarding Australian Design Rules etcetera for the road cars, so obviously I can't give you a concrete on-sale date or pricing just yet, but we're heading towards 50 cars."The V6 is the same as the unit used in the new Phaeton luxury saloon, with technical features including continuously variable inlet valve timing, cylinder-selective knock control and a variable geometry intake manifold. Peak power is generated at 6250rpm and peak torque from just 2800rpm.

Lowered suspension, ventilated disc brakes with blue callipers, a bodykit and twin exhausts exiting either side of the rear-end complete the aggressive exterior package.

Inside the car there is black leather finish and brushed aluminium look for the pedals, cockpit and gearstick. The R32 also comes with sports seats, air-conditioning, eight-speaker audio system, a multi-function display and Xenon headlights.