The fifth generation Golf is the best yet - but is that enough to put Ford sales figures out of Focus?
It has all the makings of a top of the table feud to rival Manchester United and Arsenal - the never-ending sales battle between the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus.
Ever since the sleek, user-friendly Focus arrived three years ago, the two manufacturing giants have been at loggerheads to try and win the hearts and cash of Britain's family buyers.
And key to the success of both cars has been the use of new generation diesel power to show off the fact that derv is no longer the byword for noisy, smelly motoring. Ford has the sublime TDCi - VW reply on Pumpe Duse - power.
While the Golf has slowly moved upmarket in terms of price and image, it's still the Focus that beats it every time for popularity. So what has VW done to try and rectify the situation? Enter the new Golf!
The fifth generation model isn't easy to spot - the rear end is pretty much the same as the outgoing car and the front is a 'play safe' mix of Polo and standard VW fittings.
But don't let that fool you. One of the biggest sellers in the Golf line-up will be the 2.0 TDI. With a price tag of around ¯¿½16,000, it comes with a 140bhp engine that will hit 60 in 9.2 seconds and top 125mph.
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