MENTION Volkswagen and your mind almost naturally conjures up an image of the iconic Golf hatchback.
And that's hardly surprising, as the German motor has been around for a long time and has been a favourite with UK motorists who recognise the quality and reliability of the VW brand.
The latest version of the Golf went on sale a few weeks ago and represents the evolution necessary to create a modern Golf, but not so much that it will either date rapidly or drive away the many customers who make the Golf Europe's most successful car.
The new Mk VI model is the safest, most refined, most technically advanced and most dynamic Golf yet.
It is available with a choice of four petrol and two common rail diesel engines. Petrol power outputs range from 80 to 160bhp, while the two diesels, offering 110 or 140bhp, both have a standard diesel particulate filter as well as low consumption and emissions credentials.
Three trim levels are offered - S, SE and GT - while GTI, GTD (high performance diesel) and BlueMotion variants will follow later in the year.
Standard equipment on every Golf includes air conditioning, a CD stereo system and body-coloured exterior trim, plus ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag to enhance safety.
Prices start at £12,872 for the 1.4 S three-door and on up to £19,234 for the 2.0 GT TDI five-door.
Volkswagen has also announced a new entry-level specification and two additional engines for the Scirocco coupe.
Prices for the entry-level model, fitted with a 1.4-litre TSI 160PS engine, start at £18,395.
Changes have also been made to VW's Phaeton luxury saloon with new features being added to the model range. Prices for the revised model, fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 TDI 240bhp engine, start at £43,304.
Other options new to the VW Phaeton are a rear-view camera and the powerful 1,000-watt Dynaudio soundpack, which includes a 12-channel digital amplifier and 12 speakers.
Also the new Passat BlueMotion has received improvements. BlueMotion 2 features an automatic stop/start system linked to a new 2.0-litre TDI 110bhp diesel engine. This replaces the outgoing 1.9-litre TDI 105bhp unit injector power plant.