David says: The car that defined the hot hatch generation is heading stylishly into middle age.

It is hard to believe that it was back in mid-March 1973 that a small group of Volkswagen engineers first mooted a sports version of the forthcoming Golf.

Their initial thoughts produced a terrifying ‘roaring monster’ with a stove-pipe exhaust and a noise to match. A toned-down rethink produced the first Golf GTI, whose success became nothing short of staggering.

The original GTI was planned as a limited run of 5,000. Since then – and five generations of GTI later – more than 1.7million have been sold worldwide.

The sixth generation is as sharp, responsive and involving as ever, but is also faster and more powerful than any standard GTI.

And not forgetting that green credentials are becoming increasingly important, even on a car made famous for its fire-breathing qualities, it is also cleaner, safer and more efficient than ever before.

That, of course, is not the reason people stand and stare and, if they get the chance, press their noses against the glass to get a peek inside a 149mph car.

The lure comes from the likes of the aggressive front bumper, deep honeycomb airdam, rear diffuser and separated tailpipes.

Slot in a set of optional 18-inch Monza Shadow wheels, shod with ultra-low profile tyres, and you have some real motoring eye candy.

Inside, the GTI theme is subtly fiery with red and black tartan sports seats with red stitching, and headrests featuring the ‘GTI’ logo, a flat-bottomed GTI multi-function steering wheel, red brake callipers, and, to keep everything cool, electronic climate control.

While the style and design might be what attracts onlookers, the reason for most buyers opting to shell out more than £20,000 on a GTI is what lies under the bonnet.

At the heart of the 2009 GTI is a new 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 210 horsepower, linked to either a six-speed manual or semi-automatic gearbox.

Coping with the rise in power, are sets of unique springs and dampers combined with lowered suspension and electronic control of front wheel traction.

In addition, Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control system, featuring pneumatically controlled damper units, is offered for the first time on the GTI. This allows you to select from normal, comfort or sport modes, to define suspension, steering and accelerator response settings at the touch of a button.

Volkswagen says the new Golf is the quietest yet, so quiet in fact that it had to fit a sound generator on the engine side of the bulkhead.

Basically if you drive steadily, occupants hear the hushed tones of a much larger car. Hit the accelerator hard and the generator produces an authentic ‘soundtrack’ inside the car that follows engine speed and load.

The whole package feels solid, beautifully screw-ed together and even with big wheels and wide skinny tyres is surprisingly comfortable, even on country roads.

It is also seriously safe with anti-lock brakes, an electronic stabilisation programme and seven airbags as standard.

The GTI may be into its fourth decade of production, but it has lost little of the spring in its step and still retains a hint of the original roaring monster.

Marie says: Can a car ever be too quiet? Yes, if you believe Volkswagen.

The new Golf is being touted as the quietest Golf ever made and with the GTI version that, apparently, is something of a problem.

Because GTI owners like a bit of audible oomph to back up the unquestioned power under the bonnet.

So – and I found this hard to believe at first – Volkswagen actually fitted a device just behind the engine that generates sound so when a GTI owner starts whizzing up and down the six-speed gearbox, he, or she, can hear the effects of all this effort.

As far as I am concerned they needn’t have bothered.

The GTI looks the part and I can’t see why it particularly needs to sound the part as well.

Talking of looking the part, the upholstery is covered with a rather nice looking black, red and white tartan ‘Jacara’ cloth, that exudes an air of upmarket sophistication, and would look every bit as good made into fashion bags and clothing.

On checking the Internet, I found on some auto blogs that Volkswagen has said that there are plans afoot to do just that and take their interior trim into the fashion market Stepping into the Golf GTI is no cheap affair, as it has a meaty price tag to start with. But add some optional extras like the super bright follow-the-road headlights; the extremely easy to use touchscreen, satellite navigation system and the electronically adjustable suspension and in no time, you can add almost £5,000 to the bill.

Is it worth it? If you want a car that handles brilliantly on twisting country roads and also sits as solid as a rock in the outside lane of the motorway, then the answer has to be yes.

The Golf is an understandably popular car, blending compact dimensions with plenty of useful space, an understated style with wide appeal and a variety of engines to suit every taste.

At the top of the range, the Golf GTI can lay claim to virtually creating the entire hot hatch segment and decades on, it is still the one to beat.

And no, in case you wondered, you cannot turn off the sound generator. So if you want the GTI to sound as smooth as it looks you will have to drive smoothly too.

  • Auto facts Volkswagen Golf GTI TSI
  • Price: £23,015
  • Insurance group: 17
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 38.7mpg
  • Top speed: 149mph
  • Length: 421.3cm/165.8in
  • Width: 177.9cm/70in
  • Luggage capacity: 12.3cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 12.1 gallons/55 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 170g/km
  • Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles