Golf The VW Golf R32 is dangerously hot...

[Kowalski]

Oh dear... oh deary me. This is not good!

2008 Volkswagen R32 Spontaneously Combusts
By Michael Kwan

2008 Volkswagen R32 Spontaneously Combusts

And you wonder why VW became the most recalled automaker of 2007. An unlucky fellow in South Florida came back to his brand new 2008 Volkswagen R32 when he got off of work, discovering that the hot hatchback got a little too hot. In fact, it caught on fire.

No pictures were provided of the VW on fire, but we do get several glimpses at the aftermath, including a completely melted dash, an exploded windshield, and a whole lot of undriveability. While I suspect that arson could be a possible cause, other folks are pointing toward some sort of defect. The car caught on fire after sitting untouched for six hours.



"The flames started in the driver's side dash, grew to the door and roof, and melted a hole in the windshield."

The reason why a defect is suspected is because this isn't the first R32 to spontaneously combust. For the sake of the owner, I hope the warranty covers this.

Not the first that catch fire? OK... I don't want to sound presumptuous, but what was the first case of a Golf R32 suffering spontaneous combustion?

 

[Yperion]

I smell ΒS.

 

[vedjo01]

Damn,just damn..this could harm VW reputation quite a bit..if it´s true what owner says

 

[Zafiro]

GTI is a better choice than R32.

 

[EnI]

I smell ΒS.

Burnt Stuff?

 

[Yperion]

How a car that is parked can catch fire? Ok if it was on the move perhaps it could had been explained.

 

[vedjo01]

How a car that is parked can catch fire? Ok if it was on the move perhaps it could had been explained.

Malfunction in electronics is most probable cause IMO...$hit happens

 

[NarutoRamen]

Malfunction in electronics is most probable cause IMO...$hit happens

Or if it had just rained there, may be some water got into some electrical stuff and BOOM, you gots teh fire. LOL

 

[Sunny]

How a car that is parked can catch fire? Ok if it was on the move perhaps it could had been explained.

Some short circuit probably. Almost every modern car the electric circuits are live even when the ignition is switched off.

There are also other much less likely ways it can happen - if the electric fan is not working or the battery is dead, on a hot day, the car can actually heat up right after you stop it, cause there is no moving air to cool it down any more.

 

[Kowalski]

The owner reported on the vwvortex: VWvortex Forums: My R Caught on fire today

 

[cawimmer430]

Ok, here's what really happened.

A jealous Toyota fanboy, who was embarrassed because he wasn't getting laid in his Corolla threw his cigarette through the small open window which landed on the interior. The cigarette started burning the materials and boom, you have a fire.

Case closed. It's the fault of the Toyota fanboys!


j/k

 

[ree]

Ok, here's what really happened.

A jealous Toyota fanboy, who was embarrassed because he wasn't getting laid in his Corolla threw his cigarette through the small open window which landed on the interior. The cigarette started burning the materials and boom, you have a fire.

Case closed. It's the fault of the Toyota fanboys!


j/k

Is this against Toyota fanboys and should secure the VW build quality?
HAHA!! Great one, Christian!
But it bring me to tears to see the R32 interior!

 

[vabboud]

how could the car be burning like hell inside and the mcdonalds coke cup which is made of very easily flamable and/or melting material remain intact?
at least it should be sooted or slightly deformed
there is something not very normal here

 

[PHYBENZ]

Previous generation X5's had the same problem causing fires in people's garages... A short circuit can do the trick quite easily.

 

[Zafiro]

In Sweden we have insurance companies that have statistic over car fires. Its pretty common and many carbrands are having mysterious car fires.

 

[ACE]

A sample size of 1 does not prove anything.

Where are the stats of other R32s spontaneously combusting (at a higher rate than other car models) to prove that it has something to do with the design? Without more examples, speculating that it is a design flaw is plain BS.