270hp VW Golf R revealed

Much like the German police, the new VW Golf R is understated but fast. How fast? Well, thanks to its 270hp 2.0-litre turbo engine and new hydraulic four-wheel-drive system, the DSG-equipped Golf R can manage the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.5 seconds (5.7 if you change gear yourself). Top speed for both cars is pegged at 155mph.

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To compliment the power upgrades, the Golf R gets lowered and uprated suspension, a revised ESP system and tweaked steering too. And of course, there's the usual oh-so-subtle VW styling tweaks - slightly more scoopy bumpers, a little wing and twin exhausts - to mark out the fastest Golf of them all.

But while this is all very nice, from what we can see the Golf R uses roughly the same four-wheel-drive system and engine as the last generation Audi S3. And it'll cost £28 grand when it goes on sale next year. The Golf's 33.2mpg aside, surely a second hand Audi makes more sense?