THE new Golf R Estate from Volkswagen can hit 168mph or tow a trailer weighing 1.9 tonnes - although presumably not at the same time.

It becomes the fastest Golf estate ever, and thanks to a 316bhp turbocharged 2.0 litre petrol engine can reach 62mph in 4.9 seconds.

As standard the car will reach an electronically limited 155mph but an optional R Performance package lifts it to 168mph. Power is divided out to all four wheels and reaches them via a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

As well as raising the top speed, the performance package also includes 19-inch wheels and the additional driving modes Special (Nurburgring mode) and Drift (for power slides).

For the first time, the Golf R Estate is available with an optional ball coupling with a permitted maximum trailer weight (braked) of up to 1.9 tonnes and a drawbar load of 80 kilograms.

Passengers in the back profit from the newly generous proportions of the estate as maximum legroom expands from 903 mm to 941 mm. The vehicle has a luggage compartment volume of 611 litres, which increases to a maximum of 1,642 litres if loaded up to the roof and with the second row of seats folded down.

Fitted as standard in the new Golf R Estate are the new multifunction sports leather steering wheel and premium sports seats at the front, among other things. These have integrated head restraints sporting blue R logos. The seat centre panels are covered with the fabric seat covers "R" in black-blue.

The optional Nappa leather package can also be ordered. It includes active climate control for the front seats and, on the insides of the doors, carbon-look elements with blue applications.

No prices have been announced for UK sales of the newcomer. Its hatchback stablemate costs from £39,445.