Most motoring enthusiasts have always favored the Volkswagen Golf GTI over the competition, but in recent years the ante has been upped considerably to the point that 300 horsepower is now the admission ticket to the super hatch niche.
From the impressive Ford Focus RS to the two power kings of the segment, the Mercedes-AMG A45, the Audi RS3 Sportback and the flashy new Honda Civic Type R, one is spoiled for choice.
VW has, naturally, followed suit with the Golf R, which, despite its discreet styling, boasts a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that develops 310PS (306hp) and 400Nm (295lb-ft) of torque plus all-wheel drive.
With a six-speed manual gearbox, the Golf R needs just a little over 5 seconds to sprint to 100km/h (62mph), a time that drops to 4.6sec when fitted with the dual-clutch transmission.
The car is very well equipped, getting sport seats, an infotainment system and even carbon trim, but despite this, its interior strangely feels less sporty than a GTI’s, as CarWow points out in their review. They also advise those looking to use it on a daily basis to get the adaptive dampers.
But let’s see what else they have to say about the ‘R’, except for the fact that it’s “the most playful Golf ever”.