An awful lot of people who buy performance cars are only really interested in the image. However seriously you take your heeling and toeing, that’s a fact.

For these people, VW’s new Golf 1.4 TSI 150 R Line is perfect. Basically, it’s a Golf GT dressed up to look like a Golf R.

If you’re a Golf anorak, you’ll spot the difference instantly and sneer. But the guy behind the wheel didn’t buy it because he wants to sleep with Golf anoraks, so sneer all you want.

No, he bought it because he hopes its angry bumpers, spoiler and diffuser will impress his friends and gain him the attention of shallow but attractive women. And they might.

Once aboard, these fortunate people will get to enjoy the ride in a set of extremely nice sports seats while matey enjoys twirling a similarly nice steering wheel. And should they get stuck for conversation, all will be suitably mesmerised once dusk falls by door trims that light up.

As you can see, it’s hard not to be at least a bit scathing. But while the R Line trim is certainly trying to look like something it’s not, this is still a Golf with sporty intent.

And that’s never a bad thing.

As well as the 1.4 TSI 150 petrol engine tested here, the R Line is available with the 2.0 TDI 150 diesel. And that’s never a bad thing either.

The diesel is more popular overall, but the TSI is better suited to blat-blat driving. And in a car with this attitude, not to mention such a sweet manual box, that too is never a bad thing.

The R Line package includes a 3-way drive mode selector and 10mm lowered sports suspension, so handling is right up there. You lose a bit of ride quality, but in Comfort mode there’s little to complain about – especially in a car that’s so willing to be chucked about.

It’s definitely entertaining. But we’re left feeling that it’s neither one thing nor the other.

Being a Golf, it’s superbly crafted inside and comes loaded with premium everything, from the infotainment system to the buttons on the dash. But being a car that looks so much like a Golf R, however, you’re constantly thinking about how much more fun you’d be having in the real thing.

More relevant, probably, is the fact that for less money, you could be driving a classier Audi A3 or a faster Focus ST. So wherever you see the R Line’s appeal, there’s something in the way.

If you don’t see it that way, though, there’s nothing against this Golf. Strip away the image and it’s kind of pricey. But you do get what you pay for.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line

Price: £24,845

Engine: 4 cyls, 1395cc, turbocharged, petrol

Power: 148bhp at 5000-6000rpm

Torque: 184b ft at 1500-3500rpm

Gearbox: 6-spd manual

Kerb weight: 1270kg

Top speed: 134mph

0-62mph: 8.2sec

Economy: 58.9mpg (combined)

CO2 rating & BIK tax band: 112g/km, 17%

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