Remember the original Volkswagen Golf R32? It had a 3.2-litre V6, all-wheel-drive, and could crack 62mph in 6.6 seconds. It can still be considered quick today, but the Golf has moved on quite a lot…
Video: Volkswagen Golf R review
The staple hot hatch remains the mighty Golf GTI – our personal favourite being the Clubsport. But beyond the GTI lurks another that takes hatchback performance to another level: the new Golf R.
It’s faster, more powerful and more technical than any Golf before it. It’s also more expensive, getting close to £50,000 with options or, to give that some context, the price of two regular Golfs. Is it really worth that?

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