The scary fast German engineered VW R32 will not only hold it's own with any of the sub-thirty thousand dollar Japanese or American tuner cars, but will do so with a touch of solid German built luxury normally not associated with this class of car.

For those old enough to remember the muscle cars of the sixties, you will recognize the automotive culture that takes a spartan economy car and bolts on high-performance power. Let's face it the GTO began as a lowly Pontiac Tempest and Mopar muscle cars evolved from economy cars of Dodge and Plymouth. It was the youth of the sixties seventies that pushed power to it's illogical limits.

Today's tuners often find imported economy cars from Japan the canvas of choice for their works of automotive artistry. But solid contenders from America and Europe often provide a better platform. The Volkswagen Golf provided a basis for engineers to build what may come close to the perfect "tuner" platform.

The 240hp R32 shares negligible resemblance to the 115hp Golf GL, which at $15,580 can be purchased for half the price of my $30,625.00 Volkswagen R32. But this is no Golf. "R" means racing and "32" stands for the 3.2 Liter V6 engine powering this All-Wheel Drive car capable of zero to sixty in just 6.4 seconds.

In addition to blazing speed, the non-aspirated V-6 engine has astonishing pull across its smooth power band. Twin tuned exhaust literally sings a deep guttural song as you continually pass the 3,000 RPM range shifting through the six-speed transmission. The full sensory experience of twisting backcountry roads is an exciting but solid experience.

Never is there any feeling of cheapness or "tinny-ness" that might be expected when you simply bolt on performance equipment to an econo-box. The R32 feels as solid as a tank but will run with the wind as you are held in place, enveloped by the racing inspired wrap around seats. Everything about the experience of the 2004 Volkswagen R32 speaks of refined performance. The race inspired alloy metal combined with an abundant supply of luxurious leather makes for a tasteful interior.

With more luxury features than expected my test car included automatic climate control, heated seats, "one-touch" automatic power windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, rain sensor wipers and cruise control as standard equipment. Even the power glass sunroof and heated side mirrors were standard. Of course what use is all of that power and luxury if you can't crank up the tunes. Eight speaker Monsoon Sound System reproduces any sound clearly at ear splitting volume.

There simply is not another power tuner in production that includes the level of luxury with the solid 4MOTION all wheel drive system and performance that the R32 delivers.

But is that all there is?

Can you be satisfied with a 240hp and zero to sixty in 6.4 seconds when the Mitsubishi Evolution VIII uses a turbo charger to squeeze 276hp, beating the R32 from zero to sixty by a full 1.1 second? Frankly you should be satisfied, but if you want just a wee bit more power, HPA Motorsports in Canada has a twin turbocharger and accessories that can boost the stock 240 horsepower to 550hp and shave the zero to sixty time to a blistering 3.2 seconds.

Frankly I'm not sure I would want to drive that car. In my opinion, the 2004 Volkswagen R32 is the right blend of power, luxury and attitude for the enthusiast.