VOLKSWAGEN is replacing its eight-valve 1.6-litre 100bhp petrol engines with new, more powerful 16-valve units in Golf, Golf estate and Bora models. Vehicles with a manual gearbox are uprated to 105bhp, while the automatics are up to 102bhp.

All prices remain static, while torque is increased and emissions and fuel consumption are reduced. The new engine complies with Euro 4 standards, which gives the Golf a combined figure of 39.8mpg - 4mpg better than the outgoing version. Carbon dioxide emissions are down by 10% - from 190g/km to 170g/km in the manual and from 209k/km to 190g/km in the automatic.