I had found some marvellous back roads on the Mornington Peninsula and let the car have its head. It wasn't long before I was blown away by the impeccable handling, the super direct steering, and the rorty crackle and pop from the exhaust on gearchanges both up and down. It was absolutely exhilarating, pure point and squirt motoring at its very best.
The new Golf 7 is all that and more.
It rides like a much larger car, solid, smooth and refined.
The only sound in the cabin is a faint whisper from the tyres, aided by the fitment of an acoustic windscreen, that absorbs almost all ambient noise.
It's refinement that makes the Golf stand out from the pack.
It's a classy hatch, that cossets the occupants like no other in its segment. VW is a master of well controlled suspensions, and the ride on the Golf 7 shod with 225/45/17 tyres is proof.
Suburban bumps vanish...absorbed with sublime ease.
Yet when called upon to charge along winding roads the Golf grips with astonishing aplomb.
On long interstate trips in a hatch, the Golf would have to be the first choice for comfort, performance and economy.
Australian delivered Golfs are no longer made in South Africa, but in the company's main plant in Wolfsburg Germany, and as such the quality has lifted by a quantum margin.
The fit and finish of the Golf 7 is at prestige car levels, and that's where it has the edge over its rivals.
Everything you touch feels just right, from the padded armrests to the grip of the steering wheel, to the dashboard switches, it's all very tactile. The doors close with the surety of a proverbial bank vault.
On test here is the Golf 7 103TSi with Bluemotion, VW's fuel saving idle stop engine technology.
Unlike the Beetle's 118 KW 1.4 litre turbo/supercharged engine, the 1.4 litre in this model is turbo only.
While slightly down on power over the twincharger arrangement, the 250 nm of torque from the 1.4 turbo arrives earlier, giving effortless, almost diesel- like thrust and a shove in the back that tells you you're really going somewhere in a hurry, especially if the DSG is in Sport setting!
Average fuel consumption is just over 5 litres per 100 kilometres.(4.7 on the highway, 6.3 in the burbs) A range of well over 1000 kilometres from 50 litres.
If you think a small engine hasn't enough get up and go to satisfy you,a brief road test of a Golf will have you hooked, and amazed at just how good they are.
VW thankfully provides a single gas strut to hold up the bonnet. Why many others (including some larger luxury cars) don't have this as standard baffles me. They are not expensive and much better than grappling with a manual rod bonnet stay.
Smart details abound in the Golf 7's interior, including a central 5.8 cm dashboard screen displaying satnav, reversing camera, audio controls, Bluetooth connection, car status and more.
There's a thumping eight speaker sound system with clarity that would satisfy any music buff.
On this Highline model, the, steering wheel (adjustable for reach and rake) and central fascia are clad in the ubiquitous piano black finish, with silver highlights.
Ambient lighting overhead, and in the doors and footwells is another nice touch.
The handbrake is an electronic affair with the switch next to the 7 speed DSG shifter.
Safety is well taken care of with numerous features including side, and curtain airbags as well as a knee airbag for the driver.
The Golf 7 maintains the familiar Golf shape, but is wider and longer than its predecessor, and the extra elbow and leg room is obvious.
The seats are welcoming, well bolstered and extremely comfy.. great for long or short hauls.
There are some very,very good, small cars on the market, but for sheer refinement, driver enjoyment, class and finesse, none compare to the benchmark Golf.
It is definitely a car that can be all things to all people, and one of the few cars I would be happy to own.
I look forward to testing later this year the new Mercedes A class hatch to see how it shapes up against the Golf,
The Merc will have to be good.
The Golf has been voted World Car of the Year for 2013.
Peter Sellen
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