What a world we live in.
Where I live my GTI with a +1 tune was way too fast for public roads and I still find I can't use all the Rolla's power because people are in my way. Back highways have police hidden in bushes waiting to impound your car and freeways are clogged with transports trucks. Just yesterday there was a 20 km backup on the 401 at 7AM which didn't involve and accident or bad weather, just a lane closed for construction.
I've lost interest 0-100 kph numbers and would rather a slower car that offers much more feedback than power. I'd take this (ignore the price) over many new cars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mUOpbyNlQ
/rant
See, like your 'Rolla, I keep telling myself that the NA2.0 in my 3 is 'enough' - and it is. It keeps up with traffic plenty fine, although it could use a little more 'ooomph' down low when trying to merge into faster moving traffic at a yield - but then the front tires would just be overwhelmed and it wouldn't accelerate any faster than it already does.
Where I really think it could use more power is in the midrange. The NA2.0 is missing that 'point and squirt' torque curve that something with a small turbo would have.
This is where I think Mazda has a winner in the Mazda3 AWD with the 2.5T. It's not a powerhouse up top, but has that massive, fat torque curve right in the middle, exactly where you want it for point and squirt maneuvers in traffic. It's not about 'outright speed', but rather responsiveness and willingness, let's say.
I think 'responsiveness and willingness' is exactly where the Golf R would shine. Yeah, it has the ability (and power) to go very, very fast, but when you get down to it, that wondrous 2.0T has enough grunt to pull hard no matter what gear you're in. And the AWD would be a massive boon when trying to enter a small space in traffic from a dig. Who needs to wait for a break in traffic when you have enough power and traction to make your own space?
