ANOTHER ROUND OF GOLF ANYONE?

With its rear seats folded, the Golf estate has 1470 litres of luggage space which represents 45 litres more than the outgoing Golf estate and a useful 286 litres above that of the Golf hatchback. Now you can bring back even more booty from those French hypermarkets...

The squared-off load-space of the new Golf estate is designed to be totally practical and tough. The tailgate opening is wide and extends down into the bumper to give a low loading height. The sill is protected by a metal plate to protect the floor from wear and scuffing as heavy items are loaded and removed. Storage compartments are provided to the sides of the load-bay and also underneath the load-floor making best use of the space around the spare wheel. A retractable load-bay cover is provided as standard for security on all versions. With this in place, 460 litres of luggage space is available. Load-bearing roof-rails are also fitted. To these can be attached bars to carry skis, mountain bikes or a roof box.

The new Golf estate has supposedly been designed to be functional and aesthetic. As an illustration of this, the rear doors are unique to the model so that the extended rear compartment - the estate is 248 mm longer than the hatchback - blends in elegantly with the rest of the car. Standard on all models are 15 inch wheels with 16 inch 'Montreal' alloy wheels fitted to the range-topping 150bhp V5.

The V5 will be an affordable rival to the ranks of prestige, German, 'lifestyle' estates. Equipment on this top-of-the-range Golf estate will include fully automatic air conditioning, sports interior shared with the Golf GTI, an alarm, front and rear electric windows, three rear head restraints with rear seat centre 3-point seat belt. It is the most powerful and luxurious Golf estate ever to be sold in the UK.

The V5 is one of seven engines which will be available. Petrol units include 75bhp, 100bhp and 115bhp options as well as the 150bhp V5. Three diesel units of 68 bhp, 90bhp and 110bhp will also be offered. The latter, powering the Golf estate TDI 110, enables this model to achieve a combined cycle fuel consumption of 56.5 mpg. All but the 75bhp and 100bhp engines will be available with the option of four speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen believes that the combination of TDI technology and estate versatility will be particularly popular in the UK. Accordingly to enable this engine to be offered in a wider range of versions the TDI 110bhp engine will be offered with S and SE trim levels. Similarly, the 2.0-litre 115bhp engine, in estate form, is available in conjunction with luxurious SE trim.

The estate is offered in the same entry-level E trim as the Golf hatchback. Standard safety equipment is comprehensive and includes driver and front seat passenger airbags, front seat-mounted side impact airbags, anti-lock brakes and Isofix standard child seat mounting points. The Golf's award-winning security system is also employed in the estate. Its driving position is the same as that of the hatchback with a reach/rake adjustable steering column and height-adjustable driving seat fitted even to the E models. Step up to a Golf estate S and the standard equipment list also includes electric windows all round, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, and central locking are standard. The list of features grows even longer at SE level with the addition of an alarm, trip computer, velour upholstery, eight speaker stereo radio-cassette, electric sunroof and rear head restraints.

Customers can order manual air conditioning in lieu of the standard sunroof for a small additional premium. The extra luxury of leather upholstery with heated front seats is available on the SE and V5 models as an option. These and the S will also be offered with a choice between two in-car navigation systems, one with an integrated audio system and 5 inch colour display screen. The Golf estate is a car with as many capabilities as there are likely types of owner. Retailers will be able to offer the customer a wide range of accessories including dog restraints, load-bay liners, mountain bike racks, tow-bars, alloy wheels and CD playing equipment.

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