Volkswagen Golf R32 (2003) vs. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (2003) – Double test of big youngtimers with V6

A six-cylinder engine in a small car is of course not entirely new. From relatively recent history we know the Mazda MX-3 with a 1.8-liter V6 and if we go back to the 1960s, the Triumph Vitesse with its 1.6-liter inline-six is ​​a nice example. Ultimately, it was Volkswagen that installed a special six-cylinder engine in the Golf III in the early 1990s. We are talking about a VR6. The R stands for the German word Reihen. It is a combination of a V6 and a straight-six. The block angle is only 15 degrees, so that there is only one cylinder head on it. That is not a Volkswagen invention, because Lancia already applied this principle in the Lambda almost a hundred years ago. Volkswagen further developed the VR6 and the version with 3.2 liter capacity can be found in the Phaeton, the Touareg, the first Porsche Cayenne, the Audi A3 and the Golf R32.

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA has evolution of the Busso engine

Alfa Romeo can also boast a rich history when it comes to engines. Perhaps the best known is the Alfa Nord four-cylinder with two overhead camshafts that debuted almost sixty years ago in the Giulietta and was built until 1995. Then there are the cheerful boxers from the Sud and the 33, but in this story the legendary Busso-V6 from 1979 is central. This evolved over the years into the 3.2 with 24 valves from, among others, the 156 and 147 GTA.

This GTA is only missing a picture on the back

Shortly after its introduction, the Alfa Romeo 147 was voted Car of the Year 2001. It is available as a three- and five-door (not the GTA) and the engine range is quite clear: a 1.6 or 2.0 petrol and the 1.9 JTD in different power variants. There is also the 3.2-liter V6 in the GTA. Finding an almost completely original copy turns out to be quite difficult, but through the 147 register we came into contact with Henk Wernsen, an Alfa Romeo enthusiast through and through. He bought the fast hatchback ten years ago and has always taken very good care of it. The fact that the GTA picture is missing on the tailgate is not his choice. It was stolen somewhere at some point and to date Henk has not been able to find a new copy.

During the photo shoot we have plenty of time to take in the appearance of the 147. It is still a beautiful appearance (design by Walter de Silva) and, like GTA, it is very subtly a bit thicker. It is closer to the asphalt, has a different front and rear bumper, wide sills and two modest pipes protrude from the rear. There are also a number of differences underneath, such as an aluminum rear subframe, a more direct steering ratio and the brakes of the 156 GTA, just like the beautiful five-hole wheels of that car. In the interior, the sports seats with integrated headrests, drilled pedals and the slightly different steering wheel are particularly eye-catching.

This Golf IV R32 also delivered new in the Netherlands

The fourth generation of the Golf will be unveiled at the end of 1997 and will immediately be available with a VR engine. That is the 2.3-VR5, a five-cylinder indeed. In 1999, the 2.8 VR6 was added, which is listed as a 2.8 V6 4Motion in the price list, while the GTI always has a 1.8-liter turbo engine. Those who are not in a hurry can opt for petrol engines from 1.4 to 2.0 liters and for the mileage eater there are the 1.9 SDI and 1.9 TDI. In short, the choice is huge. For Guido Schreur it was not all that complicated. He immediately went for ‘the real deal’ and laid his hands on an R32 that was delivered new in the Netherlands. The only two changes afterwards are an exhaust system from Milltek and a chassis set from Bilstein and there is virtually nothing to see. Furthermore, the Golf is still completely original and there is less than a million miles on the clock.

The Golf also does not shout from the rooftops that it is a fast guy. You can see it in the larger air intakes in the front, the 18-inch wheels, the large rear bumper and an exhaust pipe on either side, in this case slightly thicker than normal. The grille and tailgate say R32, that’s about it. The GTI of this generation also looks very civilized, not to mention its boring predecessor. The dashboard is no different from that of the regular Golf, but the seats look straight out of a DTM car. They are from the König brand, where Recaro was often used in the past. The smaller steering wheel with thick rim bears the R logo, the pedals and footrest are made of aluminum and the center console is partly silver-colored.

From dark hum to civilized roar

Twenty years ago, colleague Stéphan Vermeulen rode the same duo for a doubles test and he thoroughly enjoyed it. That is no different in 2023. We are in the 147 and it is boss Busso who dominates here. The full and harmonious sounds penetrate the interior more than sufficiently, without being annoying for a single moment. It feels a bit well-behaved at first, until the tachometer needle approaches 4,000, when the temperamental V6 completely comes into its element. The dark hum turns into a civilized roar, which is accompanied by a pleasant push in the back. The position of the needle in the speedometer is very misleading. Out of the corner of your eye you see it slightly raised, but a closer look shows that you are already going almost 150 km/h. This is done with the greatest of ease in every respect. The course stability is good, you keep the feeling of total control. Out of respect for Henk’s property, we do not reach the red area, he never does that himself. It is not necessary, because you have to speed up anyway. Shifting gears is anything but smooth and requires a little understanding from the driver. The steering is nice and direct, but lacks some feeling and the chassis is certainly not hard. In a fast bend the carriage leans quite a bit. The plus point is the relatively good comfort. Moreover, the GTA is not a fun toss and throw car, but more of a nice GT for long distances, where you can continuously enjoy the wonderful six-cylinder engine.

Golf R32 with DSG in S, somewhat nervous hot hatch

The leather seat of the Golf encloses the body and supports the legs better than that of the 147. Here too, the speedometer goes up to 300 km/h. The red part of the rev counter starts at 6,500, in the Italian only above 7,000. The Milltek exhaust does not miss its effect, as you will notice after turning the ignition key. The VR6 comes to life with a mean and defiant bark. This is linked to a six-speed DSG, a novelty for the Golf. While you may initially be disappointed that it is not a manual car, after a few times accelerating and cornering you know that the dual-clutch automatic is great. First something about the VR6. It feels like a turbo engine, so much torque is immediately available. The sound is even a bit more exciting than in the Alfa, partly thanks to the exhaust, and the DSG shifts very quickly. Flip the lever to S mode and it becomes a real, somewhat nervous hot hatch, constantly revving high. The speedometer flies up and prematurely saying goodbye to your driver’s license is – just like in the GTA – constantly lurking. The Bilstein set makes the Golf a bit harder than normal, without it becoming annoying. We expected a more clinical experience, but the opposite is true. You will enjoy it to the fullest in both cases, that is a fact.