Volkswagen Golf

The new R32 is the fastest, most expensive and most powerful Golf ever. With giant-killing perfor-mance and a far more involving driving experience than its predecessor, the flagship could even have BMW rivals looking over their shoulder. Until we drove the R32, we were confident the GTI was as good as the Golf could get. Now we're not so sure...

There's no stopping the VW Group. It has set new standards in the supercar class with the Bugatti Veyron, driven in issue 876, and now it's doing the same in the hot hatch market, raising the pace to once unimaginable levels.

Heavy hitters in the shape of the firm's own Golf GTI and Vauxhall's Astra VXR had seemingly pushed previously mild-mannered family cars to the limit. But now, the most potent of them all has arrived - the Golf R32.

With the benefit of four-wheel drive, the new range-topper has a V6 engine and serious performance courtesy of its 247bhp. Yet can it match the thrills of its front-drive GTI stablemate? While the previous-generation Golf R32 wore a muscular bodykit, its successor is less garish. A silver grille finish, unique 18-inch alloys and central exhausts set it apart from the GTI. However, designers have gone for a largely understated look.

Climb inside and the R32's sporting intentions are plain to see. Race-inspired, yet immensely supportive bucket seats are standard fit, along with plenty of aluminium trim and unique dials.

Turn the key and a faint rumble filters into the cabin, sounding more menacing than any Volkswagen V6 before it. The new model offers 9bhp more than the previous-generation R32, and is available with a choice of conventional six-speed manual or hi-tech DSG sequential gearboxes.

Our model was fitted with a manual transmission, which takes the edge off the straight-line performance. Even so, we were still blown away by the R32's pace. The 6.5-second 0-62mph time is impressive enough, but real-world in-gear acceleration is immense thanks to the V6's plentiful low-down torque and perfectly selected gear ratios. VW claims a limited top speed of 155mph, yet on a test track we managed to record a supercar-slaying maximum of 168mph.

But getting a V6 hatch to perform in a straight line is nothing new. Where the R32 is really set apart is on a twisty road. The outgoing car felt numb and uninvolving; this is sharp and agile.

The direct steering loses none of the GTI's feedback or feel, and the 4MOTION all-wheel drive keeps the Golf planted in fast corners. Lift-off mid-bend and the rear will still step out of line, but it is easy to control and rarely calls for the ESP stability system to save the day. What's more, there's a superb compromise between refinement and involvement. The R32 is stiffly sprung but the ride is rarely uncomfortable, while the engine noise is always audible yet never intrusive. The car's solid feel encourages you to make the most of the motor's impressive power output.

At £23,745, the flagship three-door Golf costs £3,250 more than its GTI stablemate, with the five-door seen here priced at £24,245. R32 buyers are unlikely to want for much in terms of standard equipment, with climate control, bi-xenon headlamps and a 10-speaker sound system all fitted as standard.

On paper, the R32 might seem over- priced. However, in reality the newcomer provides exactly the kind of thrills that could entertain drivers of coup�s from the class above.