IN the world of the car maker, it is not uncommon to find that when a model reaches its sixth reincarnation, the spirit of innovation required in the creation of a new look tends to be running out of road.
However, the latest VW Golf has proved an exception, the Mark VI appearing refreshingly new with an easily recognisable design which certainly established its head turning propensity during a trip on North Sea Ferries and a subsequent 400-mile drive through Belgium to the little town of Spa.
For a car which, in its 35 years history, has topped 26 million sales worldwide, the latest Golf attracted a great deal of attention on the car deck of the P&O Ferries' Pride of Bruges.
Despite being not that far removed from its Mark V predecessor, the sharply defined and quite elegant look of this latest Golf incarnation follows a design direction already established in the VW Scirocco.
More than a hint of its Touareg stablemate is also evident in a nose set-up which features some nicely crafted headlights flanking a new black grille linked by a sharp crease to a rear end boasting a larger window.
Apart from the roof, all exterior panels are new and, while this most recent Golf is mounted on the same platform as the Mark V, it is slightly shorter and lower than its predecessor. Extra width has given the newcomer a more dynamic stance while with a shorter body overhang at the front but extra length at the rear, the Golf's wheelbase remains as before at 2,578mm.
The additional width means more room for average sized adults in the rear seats and, while headroom remains the same as before, so does the luggage bay, delivering 350 litres of stowage space with all seats taken (1,305 litres with rear seats folded), all of which proved very passenger friendly for driver and three adult passengers during our journey to and from Spa.
Stowage areas aplenty abound while the driver's door is designed to house a high visibility jacket, a compulsory accessory in case of accident in most European countries.
The new Golf comes with six engine options, four petrol and two diesels, while all three trim levels - S, SE and GT - are progressively more generous. The GT derivative driven here included the likes of Climatic semi-automatic air con, eight-speaker sound system with CD and MP3 compatibility, electric windows all round, powered and heated door mirrors, cruise control and seven airbags.
There is a top quality look to the new interior with plenty of soft to the touch and easy on the eye materials much in evidence while fit and finish - always a big plus with Volkswagen products - is decidedly upmarket. The dashboard has also been completely reworked, housing clearly defined dials set in individual recessed cowls while VW's usual blue back-lighting has moved over for white backlit dials.
Driver safety features on board include ABS braking with hydraulic brake assist and electronic stabilisation programme with electronic differential lock and ASR traction control.
The car came powered by the 2.0-litre 140bhp TDI. Paired with a smooth slotting six-speed manual gearbox, this remarkable Audi VW diesel engine proved a joy en route for around 200 miles over the excellent Belgium motorway system.
The VW Golf GT proved a superb roadway companion with sport seats being comfortably supportive over the long haul and the not over firm sports suspension delivering a decidedly comfortable journey for all occupants.
It's quietly refined, too, VW sound experts having introduced new levels of acoustic damping courtesy of a complete new design of door and window seals, a new sound reducing inter layer within the windscreen and a new engine mounting system, resulting in by far the quietest Golf to date.
In addition, this is most certainly not a thirsty motor. For, while not matching VW's published combined average fuel figure of 57.6mpg, I did achieve around the 52mpg mark for the overall trip and, with low CO2 emissions also contributing, the overall running costs look distinctly rosy.
Overall, new Golf is a well kitted out, handsome looker, blessed with some great Volkswagen handling for smoothly taking corners and the ability to sweep over the long haul with ease, truly a well set up and refined VW Golf already nicely on top of its game.
FAST FACTS
Volkswagen Golf GT 2.0 TDI 5dr
Price: £19,815
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 9.3 seconds
Combined mpg: 57.6
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 129g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles