VOLKSWAGEN has confirmed prices for the new Golf, which will go on sale in the UK in May with the model making its long-awaited debut in right-hand-drive form at the 1998 Fleet Motor Show at Donington Park. Prices for the new car remain unchanged from those announced last year and start at £11,970 on the road for the 1.4 E three-door powered by a new 1.4-litre 16v 75bhp engine.

Initial deliveries will be of five-door 1.6 100bhp S and SE models and the TDI 90bhp S - the versions Volkswagen expects to be in the highest demand. They will be followed by the 1.4 E and S, the TDI 90bhp SE and GT TDI 110bhp five-door. Remaining derivatives. including the quickest - the GTI 1.8 20v T 150bhp costing £17,735 in five-door form - will begin production gradually through the summer. A range-topping VR6 will be launched early next year.

Prices include a standard three-year warranty, unlimited mileage warranty and 12-year anti-perforation warranty and specification includes twin airbags, ABS and height-adjustable steering wheel. Options include factory-fit navigation with moving map display with integrated in-car entertainment system, rain-sensing wipers and gas-discharge headlamps.