Ironically, I also had two VDub hot hatches as well (and '83 GTI, and an '89 GTI 16V, both bought new and owned for 6 years, and 8 years respectively), and yes, this car is just as 'tossable' and nimble as those were, if not much more so, as well as obviously much quicker, even factory stock.
I actually like the
performance of a lot of the pure electric cars out there, but I am just a bit too 'old school' as far as desperately needing that visceral, soul stirring, I.C.E. 'sound' (and feel) which is absent from electric motors.