Yup, 150bhp, the same as VW's petrol-fired 1.8-litre 20v turbo. Now consider that the 1.9-litre diesel produces that power as merely the happy by-product of the torque it develops, which is immense. It's got more torque than a Porsche Boxster S, a V6 Clio or an Impreza Turbo, a hefty 235lb ft to be precise, which it delivers at just 1900rpm. And it weighs less than any of them.

As we've often said, in general driving it's torque that makes the wheels go around and with so much on offer from so few revs, this Golf really flies. Traction control is standard, and rather busy in the wet. Don't be fooled by VW's claimed 0-62mph of 8.6sec (say 0-60 in 8.4), which makes it appear slower than the 1.8T and V5 (in our hands they've managed 0-60s of 7.8 and 7.6sec respectively), because we're certain that they'd both get flamed by the new diesel on any give-and-take road.

The hike from the previous model's 130bhp to 150bhp, and from 228 to 235lb ft is down to three main factors ί¿½ a bigger boost from the variable-vane turbo, a more efficient intercooler and a better design of injector nozzle which results in a more efficient mixture burn. So despite the unit's increased output, the official economy figures are little different to the less potent TDI's. To cope with the increased loads there are stronger con-rods and the pistons have been redesigned, too.

The other reason that the newest diesel Golf has little to fear from the hot petrol versions is that, as mentioned, it has full GTI specification ί¿½ slightly wider rims with wider and lower tyres (205/55 versus 195/65) and lower, stiffer suspension. Compared with the impressive 115bhp version we ran a while back, the 150 tacks into corners with more precision, maintains its secure balance even if the corner is bumpy and generally feels sharper and more poised. Even deep compressions that would have the 115's nose sproinging on rebound don't faze it, yet the ride is still very supple.

A six-speed 'box is standard but the 150 TDI doesn't really need it. Its engine has such a spread of performance it could make do with three ί¿½ there is such substantial urge from little more than tickover to right up against the governor at 5000rpm. This is no narrow power-band turbo engine.

In ultra-long-striding sixth, every 1000rpm is worth about 33mph, so an 80mph cruise is achieved at a loping 2500rpm. Economy is predictably excellent. You'd get less than 25mpg from a hard-driven V5 or 1.8T but even using all the 150's grunt all the time you'll see over 40mpg. With a light foot mid- to high-50s are entirely feasible. The only downside we noticed compared with the 115 is noise ί¿½ at idle, especially from cold, the 150 is much more the traditional rattly old derv-drinker.

Pricing is still to be absolutely determined but we're told to expect a premium of about ί¿½1400 over the next most powerful version, the PD 130, which means around ί¿½17,500. A chunk of that premium is accounted for by the GTI-spec, which also provides tasteful black wood trim. The BBS 'RS2' alloys shown on our test car are a ί¿½595 option (as they are on the ί¿½16,425 1.8T).

If VW wants a suggestion for the badging of this remarkable diesel, I reckon something simple and no-nonsense will do, such as 'GTI'. At the very least it would keep pursuing hot hatch drivers happy...