First drive: Volkswagen Golf - Introduction

They don't come much bigger than this – in importance if not physical dimensions.

The arrival of a new Golf, which is on sale from an estimated £13,000 next January, is a huge event for millions of car buyers. This one will also come as a relief to the VW hierarchy, who don't bother to disguise that they didn't much like the look of the outgoing Mark V, created under a previous regime.

It lacked a clear VW identity, they say. For the more conservative-looking newcomer, the designers have 'drawn on the Golf's historical DNA'.

VW calls it Golf Mk VI, although it's debatable whether that's strictly accurate. Its size and make-up suggest it's more of an updated Mk V.

Still, its arrival has allowed VW do some serious housekeeping.