Volkswagen is working on an all-new four-door coupe version of the Golf, and it could wear the Golf CC badge.

The newcomer is designed to take on the forthcoming Mercedes CLA, and will be much sportier and style-focused than the sensible Golf-based Jetta saloon (which it will be sold alongside). While the CC will be available in UK showrooms, the big markets are anticipated to be the US and China, where cars like the Jetta are already huge sellers.

Our exclusive images reveal how the Golf’s lines translate to a longer package. The tweaked front end now incorporates a large air intake that spans the width of the bumper. Meanwhile, a sharp crease runs down the CC’s flanks to a set of narrow wraparound LED tail-lights.

Under the sporty body is the same MQB platform as used by the Golf. The CC will get a slightly lengthened version that will also underpin the Golf Estate and the saloon version of the Audi A3.

Unlike the Jetta, which gets a traditional saloon boot, the Golf CC will be fitted with a wide-opening hatchback tailgate to help improve access. The load area itself will be markedly bigger than the Golf – which has a 380-litre capacity – but slightly down on the current Jetta’s 527-litre boot space.

To fit with the CC’s sporty, premium image, only the most powerful engines will be offered. Expect to see the range start with the 120bhp 1.4-litre petrol turbo and include the 148bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel. The latter will offer 60mpg, while the 1.4 TSI should get close to that, too, with Active Cylinder Technology delivering economy of around 55mpg.

The standard Golf CC should arrive in 2015, and could be followed closely by a hot GTI version to rival Mercedes’ CLA 45 AMG and the Audi S3 saloon.

Prices will start from around £19,000 – quite a bit more than the cheapest £16,285 Golf. But buyers won’t only get a bigger car for the money, they’ll also benefit from a lot more standard kit, like adaptive cruise control and a blind spot monitoring system.