New VW Golf priced from €19,995

The seventh generation Golf just launched in Ireland is lighter, safer, more advanced, more spacious, more efficient and better equipped than the previous generations of the car, writes Trish Whelan.

Customers can choose from three petrol engines and two diesel engines, as well as three trims: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.

Prices are from €19,995 for the 3-door 1.2 85bhp Trendline petrol model, rising via a 1.2 105bhp up to the new 1.4 140bhp engine with Active Cylinder Technology.

The two diesel engines at launch are a 1.6 TDI 105bhp model (priced from €22,695) and a new 2.0 TDI 150bhp unit. The 1.6 TDI model has C02 emissions of 99g/km.

All new Golfs come with a Stop/Start system as standard, along with battery regeneration, seven airbags, including a driver's knee one; and ABS with ESP.

On Trendline models, the standard Composition Colour system includes a 5-inch colour touchscreen, radio and eight speakers, and a CD drive (MP3 compatible). The CD drive is in the glovebox along with the SD card slot.

The volume seller is expected to be the Comfortline, which adds Cruise Control, Bluetooth, a 5.8 inch touch screen display, USB and aux-in interfaces, and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The top level Highline model has special 16-inch alloys, front fog lights, a leather multifunction steering wheel, sports front seats and Piano Black Mesh inserts on the central console.

Four additional models will expand the Golf range in 2013. They include the GTD, GTI and BlueMotion models, specially designed for efficiency.