New Golf R is Germany's little wonder

There has always been a segment in the motoring world that is somewhere between the average flashy sports coupé and the regular road-going sedan. It is populated by enthusiasts who've a passion for hot rods that are not hideously expensive.

Most of the cars in this category - the Mitsubishi Evolution, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the VW Golf GTI and R32 to name a few - were born out of a need for machines that boasted great motoring performance and finesse but wouldn't hit the buyer too hard in the pocket. They cost more than their road-going alter egos, but less than flashy sports cars.

These automobiles are a blend of fun and practicality - they've got the functionality and space of a family car and the handling and performance of a sports coupé.

The Golf R32 has always been a favourite in the region, especially among petrolheads who've always given weight to handling over speed and size.

This year, we saw the introduction of a new version of the little champion, and it is called the Golf R. And the car has changed more than just its name. It has a new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating a maximum of 255 horsepower and 350Nm of torque.

The exterior is different from its predecessor the R32 and it looks more aggressive. The new headlamps and the front grille with the new "R" badge suit the car's character well. The daytime LED running lights add a nice touch giving it a modern look.

The wheels get a great new design as well, along with R-badged brake callipers. The exteriors of the Golf R have received the facelift that has been long overdue.

The seats of the Golf R felt sporty and snug. I also liked the feel of the leather-wrapped steering wheel. It reminded me of its predecessor in spirit, only with a fresher feel. The new R embroidery on the seats gives it a certain nouveau air... quite like showing off your brand new pair of jeans from Ed Hardy. It may have the same design as the one on your older pair, but the new one is well, a trifle different and better.

Car audio system is something that I am passionate about but I draw the line when it comes to installing a subwoofer that weighs more than the spare tyre. And no I am not exaggerating, I've seen some truly massive ones fitted in cars. So when I turned on the Golf R's sound system I found that it was pretty perfect - perfect balance and perfect sound all the way even at high volumes. And the same goes for the Dynaudio speakers that come with it.

Although the sound quality was great, I turned the volume down for the major part of the test drive because I couldn't let it drown the ‘music' that came from the exhaust.

The new turbocharged engine gives the exhaust a whole different tonality. The six-speed automatic transmission feeds power to the 4 Motion all-wheel drive system, which has been optimised and takes away the front-wheel bias in terms of power delivery. The new system is capable of transferring 100 per cent of the dynamic torque to the rear axle and this gives the new Golf R an edge over the previous generation.

A complete revision in the all-wheel drive system ensures automatic power distribution between the front and rear axles based on dynamic axle loads and is not activated by the difference in axle speeds as its predecessor.

‘Fun to drive'

The new R handles well due to its rear-wheel power bias. However, the earlier R32 also handled beautifully. No doubt about it, especially with the directional stability that the front-wheel bias offered. But what elevates the new R to a new level is that it is fun to drive. In other words, there is a significant improvement in the dynamics of the vehicle without compromising on the advantages of an all-wheel drive system.

On the highway, the sporty suspension of the Golf R wasn't as stiff as I had expected. It manages to take a lot of the rough parts without deviating too much from the family car comfort that it also offers. Acceleration on the new Golf R is not bad - 0 to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds - though the R doesn't pride itself in being a fast car (although it is pretty nippy). Instead its forte is its superb handling and drive feel. It's just the car to have in the city - small enough to fit into a tight parking spot and agile enough to make its way around with ease. There is an area that could do with a bit of seamlessness and that is the acceleration from standstill before the turbo kicks in. There is a bit of lag before the Golf's TSI system works its magic, but then this is the case with most single turbocharged cars in its class.

The new Golf R is a thoroughbred in this segment with many improvements over its predecessor. At Dh165,000 it's not exactly a cheap fun car, but it's become more serious about what it offers. It measures up to its rally-bred rivals in the segment in terms of price, but is a few steps behind in performance figures.

It is a well-built car with a lot of functionality and finesse thrown in. One factor worth repeating is its handling, which is top-notch and that is definitely worth the price tag.

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Max output: 255hp

Max torque: 350Nm