With the VW Golf GT, the firm has made a car that offers some of the visual and driving excitement of the legendary Golf GTI, but at a more attainable price and with cheaper insurance and fuel costs. It’s not been quite as extensively modified and restyled as the GTI, but it still has lower sports suspension than a regular Golf, rear tinted windows, red rear light clusters and front foglights that help to illuminate corners.

There are stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, front sports seats with Alcantara centre sections and an eight-speaker stereo with Volkswagen’s Discover sat nav system. It looks as good as it drives, too. The engine is a refined 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel (140bhp) and comes with VW’s fuel-saving BlueMotion Technology.

The GT package sharpens up the already excellent driving manners of the Golf without spoiling the car’s comfort.

This car has the same traits as any other Golf – space, quality, safety, reliability and strong second-hand values.