A hot hatchback for the ages

After the muscle car post I need to write about my favourite kind of of car. And as a normal citizen of Europe my favourite kind of car is small and understated but fast and fun. I'm obviously talking about the hot hatchback. I have covered this topic before (surprisingly) with the Fiesta ST and various GTI's.

Volkswagen Golf R32 in the correct deep blue pearl colour.

Imagine my excitement when I saw a magnificent VW Golf R32 mark IV roll up behind me. Basically the R32 is a harder and faster GTI that was released in 2003. Instead of a four cylinder turbo it has one of my all time favourite engines the 3.2 litre 24 valve VR6. In the mark IV Golf it produces 240 HP which drives all the four wheels. If the engine is all you want then I should inform you that it is also found in the Audi TT. As are the same suspension components and the DSG double-clutch gearbox. So basically the R32 is a more practical Audi sports car.

May I turn your attention to those magnificent wheels.

While we are comparing it to the first Audi TT it is more handsome as well. Even though it looks very much as the basic mark IV Golf there are some features that separates it from the common road dwelling Golf. A new front bumper, skirts and rear bumper have a classically discreet Volkswagen look. But perhaps the biggest giveaway are the two modest exhausts that release the magnificent VR6 growl. The R32 that I spotted didn't really represent the modesty of a Volkswagen. The blacked out lights, wide tires and low ride height gave it a really dominant presence. Completing the makeover is the black VW badge. Even though the transformation is quite substantial one can see it has been done with style and money. I cannot help but like it.

I'm glad that it still has the stock exhaust, classy tuning indeed.

As I've mentioned many times this is one of my favourite hot hatches. A sensible German hatchback that has ripped off its buttoned up white collar shirt and put on a pair of boxing gloves and said "Come on then, let's see what you've got".

A familiar shape but still more special than most realise.

PS: The more eagle eyed of you have probably noticed a small Oettinger badge on the grille. According to the Oettinger tuning company's website they don't tune the VR6 engine which means that the tuning must have been done to the underside of the car, maybe the suspension.

Buick Grand National, an American muscle car?

There's one type of car that I don't have all that much interest in. This also means that my knowledge of them is as extensive as my knowledge of the American civil war. So, since the last post about the Alfa Romeo 4C attracted no interest at all lets talk about American muscle cars.

Buick Grand National in the only colour, jet black.

American muscle cars have a large fan base which is also apparent on this blog, since the highest view counts are on posts about muscle cars. I don't share that passion of American muscle cars, which means that only recently was I introduced to a car which existence surprised me. The car in question is the Buick Grand National. The car is actually a 1980's Buick Regal but with a 3.8 litre turbocharged V6. This in my book is very uncharacteristic for a Buick or for any American car in fact. In the early years of the Grand National the turbo V6 developed a frankly embarrassing 200 HP. But in the last two years of production (1986-87) the improved and now intercooled engine boasted an acceptable 245 HP. This means the Buick is capable to achieve 100 km/h in 5 seconds. That's faster than a Ferrari of that period, the 328 GTB. The top speed though is absolutely appalling at only 200 km/h but you're not likely to ever go that fast on roads anyway so who cares.

Familiar shape from the 80's

That's it on the technology part of the Grand National, as it usually is when it comes to American muscle cars. Large engine = big speed and noise, there's no need for a chassis, suspension or brake upgrade when it comes to American muscle cars.

This particular car had the owners name printed on it.

The Buick Grand National looks quite similar to the basic Regal except the fact that the Grand National was only available in jet black and it has Buick "6" badges. Otherwise it looks like many other American "coupe" from that era. But the jet black body colour, including the grille, does give it a sinister look. The marketing people also recognized this and they made some impressive posters with the Grand National. It looked so evil and malicious it was referred to as Darth Vader's car. I know it's weird, but I quite like it.

And this is the view drivers of muscle cars saw back in the day, and even today.

The Buick Grand National has a presence and a mean attitude. Other cars like the Camaro, Mustang and not to mention Ferrari turned their noses to at the sight of it. And then a couple of seconds later looked at its Buick behind when it went past in a sea of turbo whistle.

In many ways this car is like many other power hungry American muscle cars but then again it isn't. If only it had a Nissan badge to go with that unique engine it would be hailed around the world as one of the great turbocharged cars.

The all important badge. Could any of you tell me who is Troy Spencer?