The 2004 Golf R32 follows squarely in the tire tracks of other Volkswagen

hatchback performers that sprang from the 1983 Rabbit Gti.

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The R32's four drive wheels are kept on the pavement by a lowered MacPherson strut front andmulti-link rear suspension, with stiffer springs and thicker anti-roll bars. A far cry from the original.GTi's simple beam axle. And of course it wouldn't be a modern performance car without serious wheels and rubber.

On the golf R32, that means 18-inch alloys wearing Goodyear 225/40 Z-rated.The golf R32, however, is a step back to the earthy, almost raw personality of the first GTi's, but with a depth of equipment and technology that would amaze buyers of 83 Rabbits.

The golf R32 is smooth yet sharp. It's a handsome shape with just enough aggression to set.Both clutch and shifter feel a bit on the soft side, but both

offer very positive engagement. And while the golf R32 is quick

enough in a straight line, it really struts its stuff in the

corners. The 15.6:1 ratio rack-and-pinion steering responds

instantly to inputs. Of more surprise is the R32's amazingly good ride quality. Thanks to the IRS, the lowered suspension delivers much better control

over rough surfaces than that of GTi's. The low profile

tires do produce a bit more road noise, but that's a trade off that we can live with.

We can also live a good life in the slick, racy, and very well equipped interior. ground-hugging rear lower fascia with twin exhaust pipes, subtle rear hatch spoiler, and deep tinted tuner taillights.But unlike its early 4-banger predecessors, the golf R32 is powered by a bored and stroked 3.2-liter version of

Volkswagen's narrow-angle VR6 engine. At 240

horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, it's a huge

jump over the original GTi's 90 ponies. All courtesy of

twin-cams, 4-valve heads, variable valve and cam

timing, and a variable intake manifold.

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• golf R32 golf R32