| Once again England prepares to face the old foe | | | | gearbox and optional touch screen control in the 2 litre |
| Germany tonight in Berlin for a friendly game of | | | | TDI model. You'll also find computer-controlled |
| football that promises to be anything but. It reminded | | | | suspension and cruise control that cleverly scans the |
| me that at the ripe old age of 41 I am too young to | | | | road ahead for slower traffic and maintains a safe |
| remember our glorious world cup victory that occurred | | | | distance accordingly. In stark contrast with the original |
| in July 1966 which was 11 months before I entered this | | | | Golf which only came equipped with a cigarette lighter, |
| world. | | | | the latest model might as well have come from |
| I am slightly concerned that unless Fabio Capello can | | | | another galaxy. |
| work his magic soon I might not ever see an England | | | | Its styling is not as striking as a lot of new models and |
| world cup victory in my lifetime. It started me thinking | | | | from a distance you would be hard-pushed to |
| about the historic moments I have witnessed albeit on | | | | distinguish the old Golf from the new one. There is |
| TV. These include the Berlin Wall coming down, Nelson | | | | now a crease running along the flank of the car, and a |
| Mandela's release, 9/11 and of course Barack Obama's | | | | new front grille, though these changes are hardly |
| historic election victory to mention a few. One | | | | radical. It's a slightly different story on the inside |
| occasion I do remember vividly was when me and my | | | | however. The Golf has a revised interior, which gets |
| little school mate Colin spent a sunny day in May 1977 | | | | more equipment, new-look materials and more |
| queuing outside the Odeon Cinema in Bristol with what | | | | luxurious seats. Most striking is the new instrument |
| felt like most of the World's population to see the | | | | cluster, which has aluminium-trimmed black dials with |
| movie Star Wars. | | | | white, backlit lettering, while the steering wheel is given |
| We waited all day and finally got to see the film just | | | | extra functionality with new buttons to control the |
| as it was getting dark. I remember thinking as we sat | | | | sound system and trip computer. |
| there excitedly waiting for the curtain to open clutching | | | | Volkswagen has worked hard to reduce the engine's |
| a bag of butterkist popcorn that life couldn't possibly | | | | fuel consumption and emissions. The 138bhp 2 litre TDI |
| get any better. I watched Star Wars on TV the other | | | | returns almost 58mpg while CO2 emissions are cut |
| day and although it doesn't have all the amazing CGI | | | | from 159g/km to 129g/km. Fortunately, performance is |
| effects of a modern sci-fi movie the plot of good | | | | not sacrificed in this quest for efficiency. The 2 litre TDI |
| triumphing over evil is a timeless one. | | | | is powerful and never feels short of pace, particularly |
| I must admit though that I did get a bit confused when | | | | when overtaking. This is helped by the automated |
| the Star Wars sequels started to appear and we | | | | Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) optional in place of the |
| learned that the first film was actually the fourth | | | | six-speed manual gearbox. It provides smooth, instant |
| episode on so on. I think even the most die-hard fans | | | | gear changes via steering-wheel-mounted paddles, |
| may have started to question whether the later | | | | allowing fully automatic shifting. The new Golf has a |
| instalments were made for artistic purposes or | | | | similar chassis to that of the previous model but feels |
| providing a pension plan for George Lucas. | | | | more solid on the road due to Adaptive Chassis |
| Somehow this brings me around to talking about the | | | | Control which automatically optimises suspension |
| latest Volkswagen Golf. I think because we were | | | | damping and insulates the occupants from harsh road |
| talking about sequels and the 2009 Golf is the | | | | surfaces. |
| continuation of a story that started a long time ago | | | | You'll also find extra safety equipment aboard the new |
| (1974) in a factory far far away (well Germany). We | | | | Golf, including knee airbags for the driver. There is also |
| are now into the sixth evolution of this up market | | | | a new head-restraint system designed to reduce |
| alternative to the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall | | | | whiplash injuries, and further reassurance comes with |
| Astra, and just like "A New Hope" the newcomer has | | | | the latest electronic stability program. Only time will tell |
| been given something of a makeover for the digital | | | | if this episode of the Golf will feature in automotive |
| age. | | | | mythology in years to come. |
| We start with a new ultra-efficient engine, six-speed | | | | |