VW surprised us all by quietly launching the Golf Plus at the 2004 Bologna Motor Show in Italy. We are a little perplexed at its place in the world! VW tells us that the Golf Plus is closer to the Golf in size than the Touran, and besides, the name "Touran Minus" just is not as catchy, is it?

Indeed, the Plus has the same wheelbase and track as the Golf, but is a full 95mm higher. VW has used this height to incorporate a completely new interior, with the focus on versatility and space efficiency. Even the dashboard is changed. Expect the same high standards of quality and tactility we experienced in the VW Golf recently.

The exterior of the Golf Plus is also remarkably different to the Golf and Touran. The overall shape is quite conservative, but pretty, and the attention to detail is superb. The rear lights feature LEDs, which is apparently a first in this market segment, and there will be the option of "Active Curve" headlights that follow steering inputs. Though quite an innocuous design, we believe there are elements of the new Golf-based saloon (due to be launched at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show in January) about the Golf Plus.

When the Golf Plus goes on same in the UK midway through 2005 it should fall between the regular Golf and the Touran in price. There will be a large range of engines and trim levels, as with the Golf, though no GTi version unsurprisingly. Watch out in the main Road Tests page for the review at the end of next year.

Shane O' Donoghue - 8 Dec 2004