VOLKSWAGEN'S 50 YEARS OF GOLF - A MK4 R32 LOVE STORY.
A Mk4 Golf is one of the legendary cars from the House of Volkswagen and while it’s an ageing model, it’s becoming a more sought-after and popular platform. The Golf IV was introduced to the world in 1997 and is considered to be a style icon. VW also achieved a new quality standard within the segment and the GTi version had a build quality you’d expect from a German-built executive car. The model also saw the debut of ESP, something you see as standard in all models going forward. To say the platform was a success is a bit of an understatement - by the time the 5th generation was set to launch, the Golf IV had amassed a total of a whopping 4.9 million units. A clean Mk4 GTi is still something rather good to look at. Sure, I may be a little biased because my daily driver is a 2004 Mk4 GTi, but maaaan it really is that good. Bang for buck, there really is nothing as good out there that has a great build quality, a decent amount of features and with a few choice tweaks, it can have rather excellent performance. You can find a clean one from around R85,000 and we’ve started noticing that the prices are rising too, always a good sign. The most popular ones to have will be those with the 132 kW 1.8T powerplant, not really because of the higher power than the 110 kW version, but because it has an ECU that can be tuned via the OBDII port. The most sought-after version is the R32, it was brought out as the range-topper for the Mk4 model and featured some innovations that set the tone for the rest of the Golf range’s winning evolution. It came with an all-wheel drive system as standard, but it could be had with a DSG transmission - the first of its kind. As a result, the R32 is quite uncommon on our shores, a very few were brought in by Volkswagen, but most of the ones you may see arrived via another country. While the GTi is available for bargain prices, a clean, locally registered version can set you back in the region of R200k.
As part of the celebrations linked to the Golf nameplate turning 50 years old, Volkswagen has been doing some cool things along the lines of events and content centred around every generation of the car. This recent addition to the video content features a love story between a girl, Celina, and her car, which just happens to be a MK4 R32 in Black Magic Pearl. Interestingly, 15% of the R32s wore this paint, the majority at 40% wore Deep Blue Pearl followed by Reflex Silver with 35% and the rarest, Tornado Red at 10%. “My journey with the Golf 4 R32 started back in 2019 when I was still in training. A fellow apprentice picked up a Golf 5 R32, and the moment I got a ride in it, I was hooked. But for me, the Mk4 had the better looks, so I set out on a mission to find one. I put up a wanted ad, and soon enough, a friendly guy from Thuringia reached out with this beauty. The first time I laid eyes on it, I knew it was the one. The VR6 engine? Absolutely love it. The sound? Perfection. The interior? That big steering wheel and timeless design make every drive feel special. Last year, I took it on a road trip to Italy - 2,500 km of pure driving bliss. Winding mountain roads, windows down, sun shining, birds chirping, and that glorious V6 soundtrack - it was pure magic, a soul-stirring experience. For me, the Golf has always had something special. Every generation has its own charm, but the Mk4 R32 just ticks all the right boxes. It’s compact yet practical, stylish yet understated, and every time I get behind the wheel, I feel right at home.” regales Celina.
Take a look at the YouTube video compiled by the creative folk from Volkswagen as part of the spotlight on the most iconic hatchback ever. This short video is a love story about a girl and her iconic Mk4 R32: Love Story: Golf Mk4 R32 🖤🏎️ | Volkswagen
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