Volkswagen's new Golf breaks cover

Details of Volkswagen's next-generation Golf have been leaked prior to the official unveiling later this week.

The new Golf is the sixth car to wear the famous badge, Volkswagen playing it relatively safe with the styling of its popular hatchback.

Over 26 million Golfs have been produced in its 34-year production run, the new mk6 model certain to continue that phenomenal success story.

Evolutionary looks hide a safer, more technologically advanced Golf, its styling aiming to combine the Golf lineage's defining characteristics and bring them up to date.

It's clear that the Scirocco's looks have had an influence on the new car, the Golf's headlamps sharing a similar assertive style to the Golf's coupe relative.

The simple clean exterior lines are echoed in the Golf's interior, Volkswagen certain to continue its brand-defining neat interior look and feel with the new car.

In a bid to give the Golf an even more upmarket air the interiors will feature better quality materials and soft-touch plastics.

Under the bonnet will be an updated range of Volkswagens existing petrol and diesel engine line-up, all certain to feature improvements in economy and emissions.

Standard specifications levels will increase to compete with recently introduced rivals, the new Golf promising new safety, entertainment and comfort equipment across the range.

The new Golf should drive better than ever too, Volkswagen expected to offer Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) that alters chassis, steering and throttle responses between more sporting and comfort-orientated settings.

That trick chassis technology is likely to come as standard on the more sporting Golfs in the range, these expected to be announced shortly after the launch of the standard cars.

Further technical details will be revealed later this week, the Golf getting its first official airing at the Paris Motor Show the first week of October.

Kyle Fortune