Like the old VW Golf R32, this new version has 4Motion all-wheel drive. The 3.2-liter V-6 in the R32 makes 247 hp and is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a DSG dual-clutch manu-matic. VW claims a top speed of 155 mph, and a 0-to-62-mph time of 6.5 seconds for the manual and 6.2 seconds for the DSG-equipped car.

Test drivers are evaluating a final flagship for the hatchback range, badged the R36. Powered by the 3.6-litre V6 that debuted in the Passat, the car will offer between 280 and 300bhp. Due on sale early next year, it will hit the road 12 months ahead of the March 2008 debut of the new-look Golf.

The model is based on the four-wheel-drive R32, but the increased performance means changes will be made to the suspension and brakes. Extra cooling will also be required to feed cold air to the bigger engine.

Thanks to the revised suspension settings and larger wheels, the car will be more driver-focused and less refined than the R32, which was praised for its ability to cover ground quickly, but criticised for its lack of character. With an additional 50bhp, the new car is expected to be able to sprint from 0-60mph in only 6.0 seconds, while the maximum speed will be limited to 155mph. However, in-gear performance is likely to give the R36 its greatest appeal, although the engineers' biggest challenge will be retaining the light, direct steering and supple ride of the brilliant Golf GTI.

Since VW sold 5000 of the previous generation R32s with little or no marketing effort, the company is keen to bring the updated version to the U.S. in 2007 as an '08 model, and the price is expected to be 2500$ more than the R32, that wil be somewhere arround 44-45000$.