The new VW Golf 6 arrived with smoke, lights and fanfare at the recent test drive launch in Berlin. Sadly it looks so much like the old Golf 5 that it was a little bit of a let down. The VW Golf has evolved over the last few decades and it has to be every car to every man. In this respect, I suppose, it succeeds because if you get in your Golf to go to the shops, it does it well, if you put your Golf R32 on the track, it does it very well indeed.
The new model is apparently almost completely new despite the marketing men say they don't want to change an icon too much, or it won't be an icon.
The real pleasure in the new Golf is the way it drives, not radically different to previous models but everything you touch has that quality feel, everything works exactly as it should and you know just why you paid that little bit more.
Of the two vehicles driven at the launch, the 2.0 litre petrol DSG model was the most fun, only suffering with the modern car foible of harsh and hard ride. The DSG gear change is great, especially if you ‘press on'! The 2.0 TDI diesel manual car felt a little more leisurely and with slightly more sensible wheels and tyres, felt more comfortable.