Volkswagen Golf 2004 Review

The other is Alfa Romeo's 147 GTA that we also reviewed recently.

Both cars are similarly specified with big, powerful 3.2-litre V6 engines that develop mind boggling amounts of power for a hatch.

Apart from styling the real thing that separates the pair, in terms of performance, particularly in the wet, is the VW's all-wheel drive system.

The front-wheel drive Alfa suffers badly from torque steer.

• The R32 is a low key kind of car, with dual exhaust outlets the big giveaway there is something more going on under the bonnet.
• Then there's the badges, big wheels and painted brake calipers plus the lower, more aggressive front air dam.
• The low-key approach continues inside, with high back, high-sided leather clad sports buckets, brushed aluminium highlights and more badging.
• The doors (it's a two-door hatch) are large and heavy and require room to open fully. Getting in and out can be a chore, particularly sliding into the driver's seat, between the wheel and high-sided hip huggers.
• The driver's seat has height adjustment but the seat base cannot be tipped backwards while the wheel has both reach and height adjustment.
• A lift and slide mechanism provides easy access to the rear seats and is one of the better solutions on the market.
• Maximum power from the race tuned 3.2-litre V6 is a staggering 177kW at 6250rpm and peak torque of 320Nm is delivered between 2800 and 3200rpm.
• 0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.6 seconds and top speed is 247km/h. It's still not as fast off the line as a WRX, nor for that matter as the Alfa at 6.3 seconds – but that's not the point. This, VWphiles – is a Golf with drive!
• The R32 weighs in at 1477kg, 117kg heavier than the Alfa – that might explain the slower acceleration figures.
• The note from the twin exhausts is worth bottling.
• The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is built around a a Haldex centre coupling that distributes torque between front and rear axles according to available traction. Handling is excellent and stability control can be switched off if desired.
• A close ratio, six-speed manual transmission is standard. It has a short action and is generally easy to use, but at times you can become lost between gears.
• With so much torque on tap the car can be driven around in top gear most of the time but becomes a handful in heavy traffic.
• Big ventilated disc brakes, 334mm front and 256mm rear, are supplemented by ABS, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP).
• Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags.
• Standard features include cruise control, xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an in-dash six CD player.
• Fuel consumption is on the thirsty side and it likes the good stuff. Claimed consumption is 11.5L/100km, but we got about 420km from the 62-litre tank before the low fuel light made an appearance.