THE sixth generation Volkswagen Golf is a triumph of evolution over revolution.
Coming at a time when caution is the watchword in the motor industry, markets and among financially astute owners, the latest Golf will be viewed by many as the natural successor; the car which they want to buy rather than take a chance on another model from a rival. It will be seen as a safe bet.
Taking styling cues from the new super-sleek Scirocco it has somehow managed to retain the profile of the familiar hatchback and the designers have given it a completely new interior to provide instant showroom satisfaction.
Over 34 years and five generations, 26 million Golfs have been sold around the world and while Volkswagen UK has scaled back expected sales to 45,000 this year it is able to rapidly increase factory orders if the market picks up.
The Golf designers have reworked the exterior and brought the interior very up to date in style terms as well but beneath the skin is a better riding car with more economical and cleaner engines.
It will be offered with adaptive chassis control, automatic distance control and the latest electronic stability programme as part of an extensive safety package which includes seven airbags for driver and passengers and 'smart' headrests.
At launch there will be four petrol and two common rail diesels in three trim levels of S, SE and GT with standard air con and CD systems.
The petrol units comprise 1.4 engines developing 80ps, 122ps or 160ps, along with a 102ps 1.6, while the 2.0 diesels produce 110 and 140ps and later this year we will see 90ps 1.6 and 170ps 2.0 diesels.
This powertrain line up will have wide appeal, mostly diesels going to fleets, but the fluctuations in petrol prices compared to diesel is making VW rethink its expected mix through 2009.
At the moment, VW say the 110ps 2.0 diesel will be the best seller, followed by the 122ps 1.4 petrol and SE trim will capture half the volume, and 80% will be five-door.
Prices for the new Golf models show an average two per cent increase over the outgoing versions and now range from £12,875 up to £20,537.
The expected main selling model, the Golf SE 2.0-litre TDI 110PS five-door, five-speed manual, costs £16,911 on the road and with emissions of 128g/km of CO2, its Band C rating VED is £120.
On the road you can appreciate more responsive handling and generally smoother ride with excellent seats and support.
Some surfaces can still jiggle the suspension and it produces noticeable road noise but the engine refinement is excellent and wind noise is very low.
Good access, plenty of room and very good seats combine to give the new Golf a more inviting feel, while its reworked interior is definitely more up market than the previous series.
Oddments and boot space seem good as well.
All display excellent steering responses, powerful brakes and slick smooth gearchanges.
The 110ps 2.0 TDI SE anticipated best seller packs a good spread of power under the bonnet and is quiet on the motorway but delightfully flexible in give and take conditions.
Slightly less powerful with 102ps, the 1.6 S was nevertheless a sweeter and quieter engine which revved with more enthusiasm but I thought it needed a sixth gear on the motorway section of my test route.
It is nearly £3,000 less than the 2.0 diesel and with petrol prices considerably down on diesel it makes for a sounder choice.
But for me the undoubted star of the launch was the 122ps 1.4 with a six speed manual box. This has all the power most could want, delivers it unhesitatingly and eagerly while producing little noise and very good economy. It is also among the cheaper models in the range.