WHEN the VW Scirocco was launched I wasn't convinced by its "squashed Golf" looks but familiarity has improved its styling tremendously.

No-one can complain about the way it drives. This is one seriously superb and magical driver's car.

VW has managed to distill even more of what makes the Golf GTi great into this one, creating something which is truly extraordinary.

The handling is exquisite, with tremendous grip and almost unbelievable road holding and the brakes are more than a match to tame all the horses when required.

In standard trim it even rides beautifully, with a suppleness that belies the marvellous cornering verve.

Petrol engines are 1.4 TSi with either 120 or 157bhp and 2.0-litre with 138, 197 or 210bhp. Diesels are 2.0-litre TDI with 138, 167 or 174bhp.

Even the base 1.4 turbo racks up 60 miles an hour in under 10 seconds and the smooth 2.0-litre petrol is a gem, with huge acceleration from almost any speed.

It's a four seater, with plenty of legroom for all, but the boot is a bit small. Equipment is good to excellent across the range, but the very long doors are awkward in car parks and make reaching the seatbelt very difficult.

It has one of the most tactile steering wheels I have used in a long time only spoiled by a gimmicky flat bottom. Ah well - perfection spoiled.