Part of the problem with Volkswagen is their predilection for "confusion marketing" - thus this late 2015 car is "Euro 6" with the latest EA288 diesel, which gives excellent emissions results - 114 CO2 and 32 NOx - which are pretty good, and with NOx emissions near half the PETROL top limit.

So you can forget the VW emissions scandal - these later engines are seriously clean, and they do not even need VW`s "Adblue" technology to achieve these results. Although we are talking pre WMPT testing standards. the later ones should be even better. But this car has no problems with the London ultra-low emissions restrictions, and it only costs £20 to tax.

So what`s the problem? Frankly I have very little idea which model this estate car is, or what sort of equipment it should have.

All I know it`s a 2.0 litre 150 bhp diesel, its a "Bluemotion" , it has leather heated seats fold back mirrors, a forward radar detector and a fairly detailed "infotainment" system which I think (?) is the more upmarket version. None of it`s specification is clear from VW`s information; maybe they don`t know either; (this is quite possible with VW!)

It`s also difficult to know from the handbook wht equipment it actually has, (or is supposed to have) or what should be there but has gone wrong. Like I said, its a "confusion marketing exercise by VW.

As a "Bluemotion" (badge on the back) it should have low-resistance larger tyres. It actually has 17" wheels with 45 aspect tyres.

This ruins the ride and does little for the handling.

There is no way the ride/handling compromise of this VW estate is on the same planet as my old Focus Estate - it`s far too jiggly, lumpy, and disturbed by road inequalities you would not even notice in the Ford. The motoring Press are extremely disingenuous suggesting the VW is "nearly as good". It`s not.

It might be a lot better on 16" wheels - as so often the Marketing experts screw up the best endeavours of the engineers - and the Golf is no exception. It also might be helped by a reduction in roll-stiffness - the obsession with producing photos cornering fast with no roll is silly - have these guys never heard of the Citroen 2CV?

Good things - the 2.0 litre diesel is quiet and smooth, although it has a nasty tendency to cut out at low revs, where the Ford/Peugeot 1.6 diesel had no problem. It is slightly better on economy - around 45 mpg against 42 for the Focus, and the mode selection gives a terrific kick accelerating in "Sport" mode (but not 45 mpg!). The VW appears well built as you would expect - it`s certainly well ahead of the Ford. .

I have had little trouble except the driver`s mirror fell off on day two. I read these cars were built in Mexico (but also that production has now been repatriated to Europe).

Sum-up, not a bad car, too bad if all the techno-babble kit (like headlight assist, intelligent cruise-control, park assist, etc etc. doesn`t work (or was never there in the first place) - who cares? I didn`t pay £2800/£30.000 for this car - and wouldn`t; but it should make a good banger as the years roll by.

AS