AUTO MODIFIED 2011

Volkswagen expects the 138bhp 2.0 TDI to be the best selling engine, and it will be offered from £21,562 in saloon form and £22,874 in wagon guise. For the first time, Volkswagen UK is expecting the estate variant to outsell the sedan by 53%/47%.

The attractive Passat, which is 37 years old, is somewhat larger than the model it replaces, with the cabin space remaining similar to the previous model. The interior has seen a range of improvements, with new dials, an analogue clock and a mass of trim finishes which are similar to those found in the flagship Phaeton saloon.