Volkswagen has announced the pricing and specification of its eighth-generation Golf hatchback as order books for the new version of Europe’s best selling car open today (February 6).

Initially customers can to choose from either Life or Style trim levels and a 1.5-litre TSI (130PS or 150PS) petrol engine or two-litre TDI (115PS or 150PS) turbodiesel but the big-selling R-line trim and further engine options will be added in the coming months.

Prices for the new Golf start at £23,875 at launch, but the addition of a new base model is expected to introduce a £21,000 entry-level when the full range is available.

Among the engine options set to be added to the Golf line-up is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI petrol engine and an eTSI 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines.

A GTE plug-in hybrid and a GTD performance diesel will be available later in 2020, along with an estate version.

From launch, the most efficient new Golf is the 115PS TDI, emitting 113g/km of CO2 under WLTP (effective from April 2020) and offering fuel economy claims of up to 65.7mpg.

Life is predicted to be the most popular trim for the new Golf. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and keyless start.

The Golf 8 also features Volkswagen’s Innovision Cockpit, which incorporates a 10.25-inch Active Info Display in the car’s instrument binnacle, as well as a 10-inch Discover Navigation touch-screen infotainment system.

All Golfs come fitted with the Volkswagen’s Discover Pro Navigation, which features a three-year subscription to We Connect Plus, providing connected services such as media streaming, parking space information and an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot.

Earlier this week VW announced that its suite of ‘We’ branded applications would soon include the option to have parcels delivered directly to the boot of owners' cars.

A trial of the offering is currently ongoing with project partner, Hermes, in the Volkswagen Group’s UK home, Milton Keynes.

Among the new Golf’s advanced safety technology systems is adaptive cruise control, a driver alert system, dynamic road sign display, lane assist and front assist with extended pedestrian protection measures is also installed on the model.

Customers opting for Style specification benefit gain 17-inch alloy wheels, LED ‘Plus’ headlights and sports comfort seats.

Volkswagen’s LED-Matrix IQ.Light system is optionally available, at £875 on Style trim, while Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive dampers cost £950.