A major Golf in class; Extraordinary levels of refinement set this popular VW hatchback apart from its rivals, says JOHN SCANTLEBURY.

Byline: JOHN SCANTLEBURY

THE Golf has been setting the standard in its class for many years,so there must have been much scratching of heads at VW about how to improve it again.

And in terms of looks, they didn't come up with very much for the Mark VI version - simply adding a few Scirocco-inspired tweaks to sharpen things up a tad.

Get behind the wheel and it'sa different story, because the latest Golf has once again opened up a gap on the chasing pack.

It may be a smallish car but it has many of the characteristics of aluxury cruiser.

Most notably, it's supremely refined, thanks to the fact that Volkswagen have gone to great lengths to cut noise levels.

These measures range from a newdesign of door and window seals and a sound-damping inter-layer in the windscreen to a quieter heating system.

Damping technologies, mountings,thicker front windows and moreabsorbing materials all come into play, as well.

Driving along, you can hear so little of the 1.6-litreturbo diesel that you need to pay close attention to the rev counter and speedo.

Wind and road noise have been banished fromthe cabin, too - and that remained true even when I went looking for those rutted concrete surfaces that always drum fiercely.

That particular test also underlined the quality of the ride and handling.

Ruts and craters are smoothed out impressively, yet the supple set-up doesn't harm the driving accuracy and sure-footedness.

Thecarenjoys bends, where the nice weighting of the steering makes a good contribution.

The 1.6 TDI is hardly a beast of an engine, with power at just 104bhp and maximum pull of 185lb/ft, but the payback is wonderful economy.

Onthe open road you can achieve more than 70mpg and, thanks to a display that helps you choose the right gear, it's possible to get 50mpg in town.

Other good news for the wallet is that the low CO2 emissions keep road tax down to just pounds 35 a year.

Back to refinement, and few car makers do cabins better than VW.

In SE trim, there are lashings of chrome, aluminium and glossy black inlays. And the improved materials and good looks are complemented bythe fine practicality of the new layout, where all switches and controls come easily to hand.

Passenger space is quite good and the boot is a useful size.

Standard spec includes ESP, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, semi-automatic air-conditioning, an eight-speaker entertainment system, armrests and seven airbags.

Overall, the new Golf is very impressive - even though you might wish for a little more excitement. And there's no doubt it leaves rivals still chasing its accomplished tail.

Factfile: Model: Volkswagen Golf SE 1.6 TDI five-door Engine: 1.6-litre diesel Power: 104bhp 0-62mph: 11.3sec Economy: 62.8mpg CO2 emissions: 119g/km Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles Price: pounds 17,905 On sale: Now

CAPTION(S):

SUBTLE TWEAKS: Little has changed in terms of looks QUIET REVOLUTION: The Golf does a terrific job of shutting engine, wind and road noise from the cabin