IN SCANDINAVIA there exists a set of social rules designed to tone down the excess trappings of capitalism. Tracing their roots back to a 1930s novel about the fictitious town of Jante, there are 10 Janteloven rules that can be summed up as: don’t think you’re better than the rest of us.
Somehow they have become embedded in Scandinavian society. The same sort of social rules apply Down Under. In Australia they refer to it as Tall Poppy Syndrome. You don’t flash the cash in polite society. In both societies it applies to your choice of car. In Ireland, we had similar rules for many years, simply referred to as begrudgery.
Such rules seemed anathema to Celtic Tiger times, but our newly recession-hit island is reeling from a loss of wealth and financial security. That’s revealing itself in motoring circles through a certain stigma that falls upon those driving 2009-registered cars.
There’s an apparent jealousy and spite at having the money to buy something new. It applies to business and the bosses as well.
This makes it a woefully bad time to launch a new car, particularly one that should otherwise be a big volume seller. Several firms have opted to shelve new car launches until the stigma wears off.
Not so at Volkswagen; the new Golf has been launched into a market that is significantly down on previous years. Yet the Golf may just find a way through the Irish Janteloven.
Thankfully, Volkswagen has some in-built defences against the new Irish begrudgery. For a start, it’s made so few obvious changes to this sixth generation version that it will take a glance at the number plate to realise it’s a new car.
If you were to mark it for overall design, you’d have to say it was smart. But in terms of effort, were I one of the German bean counters keeping an eye on the accounts, I’d have some serious questions about what the Golf design team has been up to for the last few years.
Then there’s the very essence of Golf. This is a motoring icon that is, in many ways, income neutral. It can sit as comfortably outside a block of flats in Finglas as it can in front of a Georgian pile on Ailesbury Road.
Take a look at the driveways of some of the most well-heeled in Irish society. There might be a Mercedes SL alongside a Range Rover Vogue – but set a Golf among them and it fits right in. Somehow, it’s a car for all classes: the people’s car. It’s all rather fitting really.
The problem for the folks at Volks, however, is that it’s hard to tell a truckload of sixth-generation models pulling into your forecourt from the unsold fifth generation models already there.
There are some telltale signs, particularly at the front. The bonnet slopes towards the centre from the wings with more prominent lines, while there are changes to all the light clusters. After that, things start to enter the world of the anorak.
The trouble is, the VW has become such an icon that even one of the most respected car designers in the motoring world – Walter de Silva, who gave us the Alfa Romeo 156 and several iterations of Lamborghini – isn’t brave enough to completely revolutionise the successful recipe.
There was a time, at the launch of the last generation, that buyers seemed to have had enough. VW executives fretted over the lack of fanfare at the arrival of their new car. Had the Golf really had its day in the face of innovative new rivals like the Mazda3, Citroën C4 and Honda Civic?
Certainly the gap had closed, but when push comes to shove the Golf carries with it just too much middle class cachet for loyal owners to risk parting from their preferred VW.
Every few years, VW engineers toy with the idea of exploring new motoring fun, and every time, the head persuades the heart to stay true to VW. From the viewpoint of a distant observer it looks like a fantastic business venture for VW. But are the buyers right?
We tested the 2-litre diesel and, in terms of output, at 110bhp, it offers ample power for everyday motoring. Add impressive emissions of 119g/km that puts it in the lowest possible tax band and take a look at the price: it’s only slightly more expensive than its rivals. That has not always been the case.
In terms of driving dynamics, the Ford Focus still has the Golf beaten for all-round fun and performance. The Ford can cling to corner apexes in ways that challenge the laws of physics.
But for everyday commuters, the Golf is a well-engineered lump of metal that feels solid and secure. Aside from the Focus, there are few that come close to it in terms of overall appeal.
The interior of this latest Golf is as dull as always and that’s one of the downsides to this model range. VW has never excelled in creating enticing cabins. Great swathes of good-quality plastics abound, but the layout and design is über-functional, rather than fun.
You just wish that, on occasion, VW would splash out a little French eccentricity on its interiors. It need not be garish or brash, but even a little bit more colour would help. There’s a new multi-function steering wheel fitted on higher grade models, but otherwise it’s pretty standard fare.
What really annoys us is the fact VW tends to skimp on some standard specification. On the first two specification versions, for example, steel wheels remain standard. On entry-level versions, you still get manual window winders in the back. There’s a two-year warranty, where you should really be getting three.
And, for that, you do pay a higher price when compared to similarly equipped rivals.
The new car is as roomy as before and the Golf remains a proper four-seater for adults with a decent boot that swallows a typical family load.
Even fully laden, the 2-litre diesel never has to work too hard and both the steering and gearbox are smooth and responsive. In short, it feels premium. And, for a mass volume car, that’s a commendable feat.
The Golf has retained its cachet over the years, while it never seems like a brash choice. It meets the tenets of the Janteloven as it’s stylish and elegant, yet conservative.
Some would say it’s the boring option in a segment packed with strong alternatives. That’s probably true, but put it another way: it’s the safe option.
As it’s not that brash or different from the outgoing model, it’s not going to turn that many heads. And, in the weird and surreal recession world in which we find ourselves these days, that’s probably not a bad thing.
Factfile
Engine:1968cc four-cylinder 16v diesel putting out 110bhp @ 4,200rpm and 250Nm of torque @ 1,500rpm
Specification: ABS with hydraulic brake assist; front, side and curtain airbags; driver's knee airbag; ESP stability control and traction control on six-speed manual and DSG versions; radio/CD with eight speakers and auxillary socket; 15" steel wheels; Comfortline adds cruise control; automatic driving lights; covered storage box in central console; rear electric windows; 16" steel wheels. Trendline adds: 17" alloys; chrome fog light surrounds; leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel; Alcantara seats
L/100km (mpg):urban – 6 (47); extra-urban – 3.7 (76.4); combined – 4.5 (63)
CO2 emissions:119 g/km
Annual motor tax:€104
Price: €26,355