Next time you're driving down the motorway, and someone cuts across three lanes before overtaking you on the inside at 120mph, take a close look out of your left window to see what they're driving. Chances are, it'll be a Volkswagen Golf R32, the ultimate boy-racer machine.

From a distance, it looks deceptively like a normal Golf. But get a bit closer and you'll discover a whole range of features designed to appeal to the kind of person who cruises around their home town on a Saturday night with fluorescent blue lights shining from underneath their car. (OK, so the R32 doesn't actually come with these as standard, but I'm sure they get *** on to a fair few of them.)

Lower suspension (some 20mm closer to the ground than the regular Golf), alloy wheels, and front seats that look like they are from a rally car all play their part in creating a vehicle that cries out to be driven irresponsibly. The only thing missing is a really big spoiler.

Even if you get into the driver's seat with good intentions, its over-responsive throttle makes it very difficult to keep the car within the speed limit in town.

Once you explore the vehicle's so-called "Electronic Stabilisation Programme" (a computer that automatically adjusts the power in each wheel to prevent skidding), it becomes impossible to resist throwing the car around every corner as fast as you can.

I always knew there was a bit of the boy racer in me, but in the R32, I felt like Dr Robert Bruce Banner turning into the Incredible Hulk. Before I knew it, I was cutting people up, revving my engine at the traffic lights (an impressive sound), and shouting at anyone who dared get in my way.

Don't get me wrong, the R32 is a lot of fun. Its acceleration is incredible, and its 4Motion transmission system ensures that there is no loss of power or traction as the car changes gear.

Inside, the design is simple but stylish, and includes most of the essentials but not all of the latest mod-cons. An eight-speaker, six-CD sound system, leather seats and plenty of space all help to create a comfortable environment. Strangely, the car also comes with heated seats - a feature that struck me as a bit OAP.

Satnav doesn't come *** as standard, but then, it probably wouldn't be necessary if all you were planning to do was drive the car to your nearest empty car park and pull doughnuts.

I'm pretty certain I'd never buy one - I wouldn't trust myself. But if you reckon you can handle it and you've got £26,000 (plus several thousand pounds a year for insurance), then go for it. But beware - it's a beast.

source:http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk  

I happen to be one of the lucky 5,000 people that have the pleasure to own an 08' R32 in the US. I love the handling in the rain or sunshine, the melodious sounds that the VR6 makes is intoxicating. I don't cut people off or dive across 3 lanes of traffic, I am a responsible adult that loves the power and grace of this car.