Expect Euro flavour without the expense

VW's 1.2-litre Golf has all the specifications, and can perform like a hooligan or run frugally. Photo / Supplied

Talk about best-laid plans. I collected this VW Golf expecting to drive it, not wear out the passenger seat. But a virulent bug laid me low and meds prevented me driving, so my man took the wheel.

Which was interesting because this is the 1.2-litre Golf and he's a typical Kiwi bloke. In other words he's convinced bigger is better and wants a V8 Hilux as the V6 isn't grunty enough.

He's the personification of Volkswagen's problem; potential buyers avoid a Corolla-sized car because it's powered by such a small engine.

So I viewed this as an interesting experiment and failed to give Mr V8 any information about the Golf. Here are the keys; that's how the manual mode for the auto works; there's the light switch. Then I left him to it.

No doubt expecting a team of asthmatic voles under the bonnet, he gave the go-pedal a hefty jab and the car catapulted forward. A thoughtful look spread across the manly visage as his size 11s began to get a hang of the response. Then he stabbed the brake and we got whiplash. There was an almost audible rearrangement of mental gears.

The drive home was interesting as Mr V8 discovered the delights of a perky turbo engine with a wide torque spread, happy to cruise on a trailing throttle or get up and boogie, and of a decent chassis and modern brakes and a double-clutch transmission with manual mode. Indeed, he got so involved with the car's vigorous response I decided not to point out sport mode and blessed VW's stability control is standard.

By the time I was allowed to regain the keys he'd developed a fondness for this car so extreme he even said he'd buy one, if he ever got a hatch.

So let's play guess the cc? Ah ha - a trick question, he accused. Would have said 2.0 litres but amended it to 1.5, and looked gobsmacked when hearing the true figure. There's one Kiwi converted.

My subsequent drive revealed a car that feels a tad relaxed off the line or at the upper end of the rev range, but vigorous at anything in between. We didn't see VW's fuel claim but averaged 6.9l/100km.

Yet there's more to this car than an engine that can perform like a hooligan or run fairly frugally. For its $37,750 retail price is actually line-ball with Toyota's 1.8-litre Corolla hatch.

That does mean these are steel wheels not alloys and there are no steering wheel-mounted controls. Otherwise it feels far from cut-price. The specification list is well loaded. The fit and finish is just what you expect from Golf, with supportive seats, rubber bases to cubbies and storage areas, even the little B-pillar coat hooks remain. The only unexpected aspect is the price.

No doubt VW hopes to make some inroads into the fleet market and among private buyers tempted by the Euro badge and persona.

Me? I've discovered this same engine is slotted into the lighter Polo. Now that I can't wait to drive.

VW Golf 77kW 5-door hatch

We like
Delightful engine, feels like a 2.0, drinks like a 1.2; fit and finish feel all Golf but price doesn't

We don't like
At this price, it's hard to fault

Performance
0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds, 5.8l/100km (claimed)

Powertrain
1.2-litre turbo-charged four, 77kW at 5000rpm, 175Nm at 1550-4100rpm, seven-speed DSG auto drives front wheels

Safety
ESP, ABS, seven airbags

What it's got
Cruise control, air conditioning, heated door mirrors, leather trim, multi-function trip, chilled glovebox

Vital stats
4199mm long, 350-1305-litre boot, 55-litre tank