We review the Volkswagen Golf R from price to economy and all its features

I THOUGHT I had found my favourite VW of all time when I reviewed the Golf GTI on this page last year.

But last week that all changed.

White-hot hatch ... new Volkswagen Golf R

If the GTI is a hot hatch, the Golf R is a scorching lump of white-hot metal, dipped in vindaloo sauce and topped with those chilli peppers you find in Mexico that make you hallucinate.

OK, that’s a touch over the top but you get what I mean.

It takes over from the R32, a car which looked good on paper — a 3.2litre engine in a Golf body — but never quite delivered.

Golf R is a scorching lump of white-hot metal, dipped in vindaloo sauce

The bods at VW swear history will not repeat itself and have trimmed the new R down to a 2litre turbo, all-wheel-drive sexpot of a car.

There are a few telltale signs that you aren’t driving your average German runaround but the styling is understated and classy.

Packing nearly 300bhp, you won’t come across many cars which can easily bully the R. Slip it into Race Mode on the touchscreen console and hold on. It will do 0-60mph in around five seconds and is limited to a still-hefty 155mph.

The automatic gearbox is the sort which makes you wonder why anyone would buy a manual again and for those who want the full track experience, gear paddles are mounted on the steering wheel. So what don’t I like about it?

Sex-pot ... 2-litre turbo packs nearly 270bhp

Well, sometimes the engine can be TOO lively. I know that sounds silly but in town you have to make sure you aren’t heavy-footed with the accelerator or you’ll find yourself launching at the little old lady in her Honda Jazz who has stopped to give you right of way.

It also feels like it could do with a seventh gear on the motorway.

At outside-lane cruising speed, the engine is working quite hard, which keeps you looking nervously at the fuel gauge.

It goes without saying the R isn’t the kindest of cars to your wallet but it does come with the welcome addition of an eco mode, which cuts the engine off at standstill — but you don’t buy this car for its green credentials.

The last important consideration is the asking price. A cool £30k.

That’s a lot of money for a car that is going to struggle to hold a family of four and enough gear for a week’s holiday in Devon.

But when you compare it to its rivals — Ford Focus ST, Audi S3 — you’ll find it’s competitive in its field.

If I were in the market for a small car with massive balls, this would get my vote any day of the week.

But 30 grand is still 30 grand.