I wonder if the guys at VW HQ ever dreamed that the humble little econobox they created in the 1970's would, three decades, later spawn the SuperGolfs we have today.
Even the most passionate petrolhead at Wolfsburg, back when the first GTi broke cover with its radical-for-the-time 82kW engine, couldn't in his wildest musings have foreseen a 184kW Golf - or its R344 000 sticker price!
The R32 has such figures and is the most powerful and most expensive Golf yet built. It was launched in South Africa in May, 2007 to slot in above the GTi as the high-performance flagship of the range and the price includes lessons in advanced driving at Kyalami.
This all-wheel-drive Golf with its 3.2-litre V6 is the spiritual successor to the VR6 of the 1990's, a car that had a six-cylinder, 2.8-litre engine but was pulled along by its front wheels.
The current GTi's two-litre turbo engine is good for 147kW but the R32 ditches force-feeding in favour of good old cubic capacity. The power's fed to all four wheels through a DSG gearbox - no normal manual gearbox is available.
The R32 is distinct from bread-and-butter Golfs thanks to a body kit that adds unique front and rear bumpers, larger front and rear spoilers, dark-tinted lights, a roof spoiler and a pair of centre-mounted, big-bore tail pipes.
Cabin bling includes a special R-line instrument cluster and speedometer, decorative aluminium strips on the fascia and doors, and aluminium pedals. The deep bucket seats are leather-covered and the steering wheel, which is also wrapped in cowhide and wears the R logo, is flattened on the bottom in VW/Audi's current racy fashion.
There's just the right amount of cabin decoration - it doesn't go overboard - and the cockpit is a pleasant place to be, especially with the robust feel and classy finishes for which the Golf 5 is renowned.
Luxuries are plentiful and include cruise control, a multi-function trip data computer and dual-zone air-con - among others. If you want a power sunroof, iPOD connection, satnav, parking radar or a front-loading six-disc CD changer, they'll cost extra.
Fire up the R32 and the presence of six cylinders is announced by a throaty murmur that rises to a pleasantly musical throb as the revs climb. The enjoyable acoustics and responsive nature of the powerful V6 are at the heart of this car's appeal.
The Golf's a very solid, together car. It has a firm ride without being unduly uncomfortable. There's minimal juddering over rough patches of road, despite its very low-profile tyres. The firm suspension yields the necessary cornering benefits and the R32 carves through curves like a real athlete; the brakes are excellent, too.
Terrific stability
The DSG transmission hooks gears quickly and without jerking. It's the finest automated manual there is and you really don't miss having a clutch pedal. In any case, DSG has a manual override.
Show the throttle who's boss and the R32 will reach an impressive 248km/h with terrific directional stability at high speed. The car's brisk off the mark; we recorded a 7.2sec 0-100km/h sprint on the Reef but VW claims 6.2 at the coast. It's quick right off the mark and builds power in a strong, linear fashion with no dead spot at low rpm to spoil the fun.
So, driver appeal isn't the R32's problem. Its problem is that at high altitude it's only marginally quicker than the much cheaper two-litre GTi - only 0.3secs to 100km/h and 0.1 over the quarter-mile.
The small margin is hard to justify given the R75 000 price difference though at sea level the normally aspirated R32 should have a bigger performance advantage.
The other thorns in the R32's side are rivals such as Audi's S3 and BMW's 130i, both less expensive and more powerful (and now there's the Mazda3 MPS turbo at R259 990).
All-wheel drive advantage
The R32 is not just about acceleration figures,, though. The all-wheel drive makes it more driver-friendly than its turbocharged stablemate; the GTi's front wheels spin under harsh throttle treatment from a standing start and there's some torque steer but the R32 just grips and goes.
Boot the throttle as hard as you like and there's no screeching of tyres or tugging by the steering wheel.
All-wheel drive also gives the R32 an advantage over two-wheel drive cars through corners, not in outright mid-turn traction but in allowing you to get on the throttle harder and earlier when exiting a tight bend. With two-wheel drive cars, especially those pulled along by the front wheels, getting on the gas too soon and too aggressively will have the tyres smoking.
Overall, the R32 is the more accessible Golf and a little easier to drive on the limit than the GTi. It also sounds better, with that V6 engine emitting a hungrier howl than the turbocharged four. But if you don't live at sea level, all this doesn't quite add up to a R75 000 price premium.
VERDICT
The Golf R32 is an impressive car that's fast, driver-friendly and a real blast to drive but is hopelessly overpriced.
At Gauteng altitude, especially, it just doesn't have the bang per buck to match its rivals.