Volkswagen Golf R

FIRST DRIVE Performance flagship of recently revised hatchback range is put through its paces

- Steve Walker

IF the Volkswagen Golf is the do-it-all family hatchback, the R is the do-it-all Golf. No other model in the range has the same breadth of abilities, although that's reflected in the price. At £42,745 for the hatch, and another £1,400 for the Estate, this all-wheel-drive super-hatch mixes with a host of highly talented high-performance rivals.

In VW's line-up, the R sits above the front-drive Golf GTI (261bhp) and its hardcore Clubsport (296bhp) offshoot, offering extra power (328bhp) courtesy of a more highly strung version of the familiar 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

VW Group sister brand Cupra offers hot versions of the Leon, including the Leon 333, which has the same engine and 4x4 drivetrain as the R, but only as an estate. Audi's S3 also has similar running gear to the Cupra, and only costs £2,500 more.

The Golf R benefits from the Mk8.5 facelift that covered the whole Golf range earlier this year. You can spot the new model by its sharper matrix-LED headlights, illuminated VW badge and extended lower bumper with enlarged air intakes. It's an imposing front end, but the extensive use of shiny black plastic does look a little low rent.

At the rear, fresh light clusters appear and the same piano black plastic is used more sparingly on the chunky splitter with quad exhaust pipes. VW also introduced a fresh set of beautiful, but optional, 19-inch forged alloys with the Mk8.5 facelift. Called Warmenau, these multi-spoke rims are 20 per cent lighter than comparable items so they help improve handling, too.

There's only one trim level as such, but VW is offering a Black Edition with darkened exterior badges, black exhaust tips and black brake calipers behind black 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels.