Volkswagen Golf R

Four doors. Big hatch. Four-cylinder engine. Bored yet? How about this: 292 horsepower and all-wheel-drive. Welcome back.

The most powerful Golf ever sold in the United States will be able to reach 100 kmph from a stop in 4.9 seconds and go on to top speed of 250 kmph. The turbo four will send power to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox and a performance-tuned version of Volkswagen’s 4 Motion all-wheel drive system.

Practicality meets performance, and we’re all winners. We’re looking forward to taking this hot hatch for a spin in 2015.