Launched last year, the all-wheel drive (AWD) Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 came with some truly tire-shredding numbers: 320 PS and 420 Nm from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.

While those numbers are certainly going to tear up other hot hatches, there is one feature on this Golf R that will terrify the tyres and that is “Drift” mode. Yes, the flagship performance European hatchback has a feature that will entice you to stock up on cheap tyres that you can play around with.

Available on the Golf R is the R Performance Package which increases the top speed to 270 km/h (from 249 km/h). Apart from some enhanced visuals including a larger rear spoiler and 19-inch wheels, this package also includes two driving modes, the aforementioned Drift mode, and the “Special” or Nürburgring mode for a more track-focused experience.

Switching to Drift mode opens “a new level of driving dynamics and further exploits the potential of torque vectoring by provoking oversteer instead of neutral vehicle handling.”

In other words, you would be carving up and down mountains with a plume of smoke and a silly grin on your face.

The Golf R MK8 is the first Volkswagen to be launched with a new all-wheel drive system, 4Motion with R-Performance Torque Vectoring which Volkswagen promises a new dimension in sportiness.

Who’s up to carve the drifting world with a potent Golf hot hatch?