Volkswagen Golf R

Replacing the celebrated Golf R32 the Volkswagen Golf R boasts four-wheel drive and a highly-tweaked version of the previous MkV Golf GTI's turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine. Two bodyshells are available, the sporty three-door and practical five-door. Producing 265bhp the Golf range-topper is genuinely sports car fast- the 0-62mph benchmark is despatched in an all-wheel drive assisted 5.7 seconds! Crucially the newly developed engine is cleaner and greener than it's R32 predecessor and the 4MOTION all-wheel drive transmission is very impressive in the corners. Buyers opting for the twin-clutch DSG gearbox will benefit not only from lower fuel consumption but also faster acceleration, although some gear changes are slightly irratic when in fully-automatic 'D' mode. The Golf R represents a more practical choice than the Volkswagen Scirocco R but with the performance to match or even exceed rivals from Renault or BMW.

Under the bonnet, there's a highly tuned version of the power plant from the previous GTI, rather than the newer model. This results in an impressive 265bhp alongside the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, providing plenty of traction whilst cornering. The steering is nicely weighted and precise while the brakes feel very powerful. Opt for the twin-clutch DSG gearbox and some gear changes are erratic when using the fully automatic 'D' mode. For a performance model it is equally at home cruising at motorway speeds.