Hidden treasure not cheap

There's much to like about the Golf R, except its price. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

At first sight Volkswagen's Golf R isn't much - certainly after the sexy Scirocco R I'd just returned. Despite front air intakes, side skirts and a subtle rear spoiler atop twin pipes, it looks so like its sensible sibling that it canters right under the radar. But beneath that everyday five-door skin beats a hooligan heart.

Ignore the slightly different power figures - this car has the same engine as that Scirocco, a direct injection 2.0-litre turbo with the same lunatic acceleration and a zero to 100 time of 5.5 seconds. Forget shopping hacks, that's quick.

But it's not the power that gives the biggest hit, it's the torque - the 350Nm maximum on tap anywhere from 2500 to 5000rpm, delivered to the road via all four wheels.

VW's latest 4Motion system uses an electronic pump to regulate torque distribution, and can send the lot to the rear axle alone. Which means this car doesn't feel as inert as many four-paw vehicles can. But you have to be going pretty damn fast to feel much movement as there's plenty of grip with the car sitting low and flat, thanks to retuned springs, dampers and stabilisers. The brakes have been honed to suit, and even the ESP is modified, with a "sport" setting designed for race tracks. Given the wet and debris-strewn roads I was fanging over, I didn't try it.

I did try the ($1750) Dynamic Chassis Control option that lets you set the suspenders - "sport" proved too firm for most conditions and "comfort" a touch less flexible than ideal. I settled for "normal" most of the time.

By now I was starting to appreciate this car's flexibility - you can drive it like you stole it and fling it round the scenery, or womble about in serene comfort, appreciating the build quality, and sipping fuel relatively frugally.

When I drove sensibly there was still plenty to like, from the touch-screen audio system to the dynamic cornering lights and rain sensor.

What I didn't like is the $75,750 price (the standard $72,500 plus the optional wheels and DCC). Given I don't need five doors or five seats, I'd buy the slightly cheaper, and much sexier, Scirocco, not least for the livelier feel imparted by two-wheel drive. The Golf R might be smooth and refined, but I want my hot hatch to look it.

VW Golf R

We like
Doesn't look as fast as it is; hot performance yet everyday comfort and refinement.

We don't like
Doesn't look as fast as it is; sadly sanitised soundtrack.

Powertrain
2.0-litre fuel-injected turbo, 199kW at 6000rpm, six-speed DSG auto drives all four wheels.

Performance
0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds, 8.4l/100km (claimed).

Safety
Stability control, ABS brakes, electronic diff lock, anti-skid regulation, seven airbags.

What it's got
Dynamic cornering auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ParkPilot, climate control air, cruise control, multifunction display, cooled glovebox.

Vital stats
4212mm long, 350/1305-litre boot, 55-litre tank