New Golf is an absolute beaut

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The classy newcomer is the eagerly-awaited new sixth generation Volkswagen Golf and it is an absolute smasher.

And just to add to the opposition's pain and anguish the new Golf has just been crowned 2009 World Car of the Year, which is the most prestigious and sought-after international motoring accolade that all car manufacturers dream about.

This follows a string of other achievements and awards for the Golf such as Yellow Angel 2009 (Germany), Auto Motor and Sport Readers' Best Car 2009 (Germany), EuroNCAP 5-Stars (Best result in its class) in 2008 and What Car? Best Small Family Car 2008 (Great Britain).

So what makes this new Golf so special?

Quite a long list of top-notch features, actually. But it's not just the specifications, but the way they all come together to create a car that sets a new benchmark for all cars.

As a package, the new Golf is going to be extremely difficult to match, let alone beat.

Already the best selling Volkswagen of all time (yes, even more than the iconic Beetle of which more than 20-million were sold!) the Golf range has dominated world markets from the time it was first unveiled way back in 1974.

And it has crept deep into the hearts of many thousands of South Africans with its achievements in rallies and on race tracks and its reputation for reliability, affordability and value for money.

Sure, Golf has become quite expensive with even the entry level Citi models wearing price tags in the low eighty thousands.

But what will attract buyers to the new Golf is that they are not all that much more expensive than the current range and they offer a great deal more in terms of safety, performance, reduced emissions, fuel consumption, performance and stylish looks.

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In terms of looks, VW has stuck to the Golf's historical DNA. There is no radical or dramatic break from previous models, but with careful scalpel application, it looks slicker, sportier and more distinctive with strong hints of the recently launched VW Scirocco and the VW CC.

Nice touches are a new “character line” which gives it a fuller, lower look; a new high-gloss black grille, a new air scoop and snazzy chrome trimmed lights, attractive sporty wheels and Touareg tail lights.

But it is in ride quality and cabin design where the new Golf scores exceptionally high. Inside it looks and feels very much like Audi. In fact, the sum total is probably even a step up from the entry-level Audi models.

The instrument panel was completely redesigned for functionality and looks. This, combined with the liberal use of brushed chrome and upmarket material, creates the ambience of being in a much more expensive car.

Minor adjustments and careful re-positioning of some of the functional components in the cabin is a clear illustration of how clever changes can make a big difference.

In the process, Volkswagen have created a cabin in which the driver feels immediately comfortable and at ease.

The Golf also takes safety to a new level with two front airbags, two side airbags, two head airbags and, for the first time, a knee airbag on the driver's side.

The Golf now also has a sensor system, which in a split second “feels” and “hears” the intensity of an accident and then helps the airbags and seatbelt-tensioners to respond optimally for maximum passenger protection.

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Another “newy” in the latest Golf is WOKS, which stands for “Whiplash Optimized Head Restraint System” and was designed to reduce whiplash injury.

Other safety features include ABS brakes, ASR (Anti-Spin Regulator), ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) with brake assist and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution).

All these are super need-to-haves, but before we even start talking about engines, roadholding and performance, let me tell you about the new Golf's most outstanding feature - its low-noise comfort.

To say that the ride is almost soundless is not being liberal with the truth. It is amazingly quiet. Even the diesel purr is inaudible in the cabin, and at idle at a stop street I actually had to glance down at the rev counter to make sure the engine was running.

VW have clearly spent tremendous time, energy and innovation to make the cabin insulated from wind, road and engine noise.

Besides redesigning the side mirrors to curb wind noise, special modifications to better isolate the engine and passenger compartments from each other and the introduction of a host of new materials and damping technologies, the clever German white coats even developed a special noise-damping film which is used in the windshield.

The overall effect is mind-blowing. I have never driven a better sound insulated car.

What also helps of course is new engine technology which reduces friction, vibration and noise levels, particularly in diesel engines.

The creamy ride is further enhanced by the smooth, firm confident manner in which the new Golf handles itself on the road.

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Golfs have always been good tarmac-huggers and the latest addition to the family is shining example of good road manners.

The steering feedback is precise and well-weighted and works in sweet harmony with the suspension and brakes.

I found the Golf's ride as good but less harsh than some of the Audi models I have driven recently and it certainly beats everything else in its class.

The new Golf is available in three petrol and one diesel engine options.

Two of the three petrol engines are force-fed by supercharger and/or turbocharger.

And for the first time the oil-burning Golf is fitted with the latest generation of common rail turbo-diesel (TDI) instead of the pump-nozzle direct injection engines of previous models.

On the Golf media launch I drove the 90kW 1.4 TSI, the 118Nm 1.4 TSI and the 103kW 2.0 diesel on the lovely stretch of coastline between Gordon's Bay and Gansbaai and the following day from Gansbaai via Caledon to Villiersdorp and over the Franschhoek Pass to Cape Town international via Stellenbosch - and I was blown away by what the new Golf has to offer.

When one considers the fact that the two petrol versions are powered by a small 1.4-litre engine their power and performance are quite staggering.

I didn't get to drive the entry-level 1.6-litre which is considerably less expensive and performance wise lags a bit behind its two smaller 1.4-litre sister models.

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I settled behind the wheel of the 2.0-litre diesel fully expecting the rougher engine tone, slightly hesitant take-off and low-rev torque action which are trademarks of many diesel cars.

But boy oh boy was I wrong. Quiet, smooth, solid and with an abundance of willingness to run, this diesel found a fan within the first few kilometres.

There just is so much to like about it.

It effortlessly churns out a healthy 320Nm from as low down as 1750rpm and with the ultra-slick assistance of the six-speed shift it will hit the 100km/h mark in just 9.3 seconds and from there gallop on strongly to 209km/h.

Overtaking is a pleasure and it has plenty of punch, even in higher gears.

And light on the pocket and caring for the environment to boot. VW says it will sip only 4.9-litres per 100km in the combined cycle with emissions a low 129g/km.

The only painful bit about this beaut is its price tag of R298,900 (Our test car was equipped with a multi-function steering wheel, leather seats and was coated in metallic paint which pushed the price up to R311,120).

But for that you get a car that is so handsome and such a pleasure to drive that you want to stroke it every time you get close to it.

To make the new Golf even prettier and even more fun to drive and to show off with, buyers have many optional extras to choose from.

All the new Golfs come with a three-year/120,000km warranty and a five-year/90,000km service plan.

The models and prices are:1.6 Trendline (75kW) - R214,400; 1.4 TSI Trendline (90kW) - R227,900; 1.4 TSI Comfortline (90kW) - R238,400; 1.4 TSI Highline (118kW) - R272,900 and 2.0 TDi Highline (103kW) - R298,900.

Even though I am a useless high handicap hacker, I enjoy few things as much as a round of golf, but I tell you what - I would rather spend a day in the country behind the wheel of this new Golf than play a round of golf any day!