Ever driven an S3 with it's lack of steering feel??
You're right, it's pitiful, and one of the worst points of the car. I hate the lightweight and numb steering.
All this crap VAG seem so obsessed by when they develop a car and then build in it's tendencies (to reflect the right marketing hierarchy sector for buyers) seems to result in nothing more than robbing VAG owners of a true driver focussed car. The Golf Mk5 is a monumental car, but in 200PS spec it lacked grunt. The Ed30 put so much of this right, but by the time you had upgraded the power to the levels you can, you were into the territory where Haldex might have been a useful underpinning for the 190 wet days you get in Blighty.
Will be very interested to drive this Golf R to see what it's like, but I have to say I'm right at the point of moving away from VAG (after a 16 year allegiance) and going for an M3 V8 or a Porsche 996/7. Even if an RS3 emerged, I'm not sure I want a £14k hatchback with £30k of add ons as you still can't forget it's humble platform. At least the M3 shell is bespoke, and isn't a humble 320 which is gifted the chance to drive through the M department's parts bins for an upgrade.
AND, can you imagine VW actually condoning a trackday in the Golf R despite suggesting their car settings supporting it?!?!?! Makes me laugh how disconnecting the marketing is from the reality of aftercare / service.