Preview: 2016 Volkswagen Golf R comes back to Canada

CALABOGIE, ONT. — While it may not look it from the outside—perhaps it’s the boxy five-door configuration — the Volkswagen Golf R is one aggressive car. An afternoon spent with one on a race track is proof positive.

After a few laps around Calabogie Motorsports Park near Ottawa , I can report that the hottest of Volkswagen’s hot hatches does indeed have the right stuff.

Finally, for the 2016 model year, the Golf R is back and it is one serious performance rocket.

Like the previous generation, the 2016 R is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Like the old car, this one produces a near-obscene amount of power for a small car: 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque.

Getting all of that power to the ground is the responsibility of a standard 6-speed manual transmission (or optional 6-speed DSG automatic). Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive is standard, as is Dynamic Chassis Control and independent front and rear suspension.

Other standard chassis bits include anti-slip regulation, electronic stability control and an electronic transverse differential lock.

In terms of appearance, there isn’t much that sets the Golf R apart from its less powerful (210 hp) GTI stablemate, aside from a few minor styling cues and R badging.

The one thing that does stand out, however, is the quad exhaust at the rear that differs from the twin setup on the GTI.

In all, the R cuts a handsome profile. The lines are clean, sharp and straightforward. Not a beautiful car, perhaps, but certainly an attractive one that almost appears to be grinning as if it knows exactly why you bought it.

It’s a similar story on the inside, where the spacious cabin is finished in a pleasing array of high quality materials.

Volkswagen Canada has wisely chosen to limit the R’s option list. Aside from colour, transmission and wheel options, the only other variable is the Technology Package ($2,015) which adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection with cross traffic alert and an 8-inch infotainment screen, among other features.

Everything else is standard, and as you might imagine the list is lengthy: heated leather seats, satellite radio, rearview camera, 12-way power driver’s seat, Fender audio system, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / MirrorLink smartphone integration, USB, Bluetooth, among many others.

So what’s it like driving a Golf R?

Fun, times a thousand.

The car is a pleasure to drive on public roads, but it really comes alive on the track where one can really push the limits of a very well-sorted platform.

The natural terrain road course at Calabogie Motorsports Park is challenging, and the Golf R is very capable.

The rev-happy 2.0-litre turbo screamed with delight as I mashed the accelerator, rowed through the gears and launched the manual-equipped R around the tricky circuit.

The R is an absolute rocket, both from rest and when climbing through the gears.

Although I was fast enough to snap it into fifth gear a few times, the R was most fun in third and fourth.The light clutch and smooth-shifting six-speed manual was a delight and made the rolling curves a grin-inducing experience.

As one might expect, the 4MOTION all-wheel drive combined with Dynamic Chassis Control and independent suspension makes the R a very forgiving car to drive at speed.

The steering is light and responsive, body roll is minimal and well-controlled, and acceleration and braking is fast-twitch good, both with the manual and the DSG.

In short, the Golf R behaves like a go-kart on the track. It is truly at home in a closed course environment. It delivers bushels of fast fun with remarkably little drama. In all, it delivers a compelling performance package.

All of this goodness doesn’t come cheap, but considering how much performance it delivers and the cars it’s competing against, the $40,000-ish price tag seems pretty fair and consumers seem to agree.

The first crop of deliveries has already begun. With roughly 1,200 Canadian orders already in, the Golf R figures to be a popular option for those looking for a car that delivers track-ready performance and everyday driveability.

PRICE: $39,995 — $41,395, ($42,010 / $43,410 as tested)

ADD-ONS: $2,015 (technology package) $1,605 (freight & PDI), taxes, licensing

TYPE: Compact performance 5-door hatchback

PROPULSION: front-engine, all-wheel drive

CARGO: 388 L (1,336 L with rear seats folded)

ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual, 6-speed DSG automatic

POWER/TORQUE: 292 / 280

FUEL CONSUMPTION (city / highway L/100km): 10.9 / 7.7 (manual), 10.2 / 7.8 (automatic), premium fuel

BRAKES: 340 mm (front, vented disc), 310 mm (rear, solid disc)

TIRES: P235/35R19, performance all-season

STANDARD FEATURES: 19-inch alloy wheels, 4MOTION all-wheel drive, dynamic chassis control, bi-xenon headlights, Discover Media with App Connect (Apple Carplay, Android Auto, MirrorLink), Fender audio and more

ACCESSIBILITY: An upright stance makes entry and exit a breeze.

COMPETITION: Ford Focus ST, Mini John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4, Subaru WRX / WRX STI

WHAT'S BEST: Rocket-like acceleration, superb handling, refined upmarket interior

WHAT'S WORST: I guess one could say it’s a bit pricey for a hatchback. Not me, but someone.

MOST INTERESTING: One of the few small cars Volkswagen still builds in Germany only.

LOOKS: Not exquisitely beautiful, but the muscular Golf R looks the part: powerful and bad fast.

INTERIOR: Handsome, well-equipped and nicely finished as one would expect for a car in this price range.

PERFORMANCE: You won’t be disappointed — the Golf R is track ready right out of the box.

TECHNOLOGY: All of the stuff needed to (help) keep you from wandering off track: 4MOTION all-wheel drive, dynamic chassis control, 19-inch wheels and summer tires.

WHAT YOU WILL LIKE: As Volkswagen likes to say, you can drive this car both to the track and on it.

WHAT YOU WON’T LIKE: You could argue it’s a bit pricey for a compact hatchback, but it’s solidly in the range of its competitors, so…

RATING: 9/10

WEBSITE: vw.ca