The latest Volkswagen Golf boasts more technology, all-new engines, improved connectivity and revised styling – and it can be ordered now.

VW has brought its seventh generation Golf bang up to date and the car that has been emerging from VW factories around the globe at an average pace of one every 40 seconds for the last 43 years, will be arriving in UK showrooms in a few weeks’ time.

Global sales of the Golf are now well in excess of 33 million since its launch more than four decades ago and some two million have been sold in Britain.

Standard across the range are LED rear lights while the majority of models across the Golf hatchback and estate line-up are also now offered with a new generation of larger and more sophisticated touchscreen infotainment systems.

Also, depending on model, the new Discover Navigation Pro radio-navigation and online system can be operated via gesture control. Boasting a 9.2-inch screen, the system complements the active information display that is also new in the Golf and appears as standard on all performance Golfs. The range of online services and apps has also been increased.

Trim levels in the hatchback range are S, SE, SE Nav, GT, R-Line, GTE, GTE Advance, e-Golf, GTD and GTD BlueLine to GTI, GTI Performance and, ultimately, R.

The estate family offers generous choice too, with S, SE, SE Nav, GT and GTD and GTD BlueLine models being joined by Alltrack and R derivatives.

On the engine front even the new base petrol engine – the turbocharged direct-injection 1.0 TSI with 85bhp – offers combined fuel economy of 58.9mpg and carbon emissions of just 109g/km.

At the top end of the Golf range, the Golf R gets more power than ever before, now boasting a peak output of 310bhp, enough to propel it from 0-62 mph in as little as 4.6 seconds.

The latest Golf comes with new bumpers, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights or full LED headlights, new front wings, and full LED rear lights as standard.

Alison Jones, director of VW UK said: “The arrival of a new or updated Golf is always a special occasion but, in 2017, the debut of this car with its semi-autonomous operation; revised styling; new engines and exceptional new infotainment systems really does feel extra-special.

“The updated Golf will, I’m sure, retain its place at the head of the compact car class but, just as importantly, will strengthen its place in the hearts of countless UK owners thanks to its exceptional quality, classless appeal and, now more than ever, its hugely competitive pricing and whole-life value.”

Prices start at £18,665 for the Golf S 1.4 TSI manual 3-door and run up to £34,985 for the Golf R Estate 2.0 TSI DSG 5-door. First deliveries expected at the end of March.