GOLF R IS VERY FAST

VW SHOWS HOTTEST MK7 GOLF. ASTON DRIVERS FIDDLE NERVOUSLY WITH STEREO.

Five seconds. The new Golf R, fitted with optional DSG gearbox, gets from nought to 1 ookph in under five seconds. Four point nine, in fact.

That's beyond the realm of mere hot hatches, deep into hairy-sports-car territory.

How? Because of 221 kW, that's how. The Golf R, like the new Audi S3, features an uprated version of the latest GTl's EA888 2.0-litre petrol, with a shiny new cylinder head, pistons and bigger turbo, upping power by some 60kW.

And also because of four-wheel drive. Unlike the front-drive GTI, the R gets a Haldex clutch linking front and rear, a system that can push virtually full torque to either axle depending on need. Combined with VW's EDS and XDS+ traction management systems, that's a recipe for the sort of grip and all-weather acceleration to put a nasty puncture in the ego of unsuspecting Aston Vantage and Jag XK drivers. 

Talking of ego puncturing, VW proudly notes the R's traction control can be fully disengaged. But if you' re on the hunt for purple lap sectors rather than local lamp posts, you'd be better advised switch ing the Golf's dynamic chassis control into the R's bespoke Race mode, which cranks the adaptive damping, throttle response and gearshifts into full-force facebutt territory. Those emotionally attached to their spines may not wish to test the Race setting on twisty back roads.

So how much for this proper-sports-car-devouring performance? Proper-sports-car money, most likely. VW hasn't yet confirmed prices, but expect the R to start in Audi S3 territory when it goes on sale in January next year.

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