Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 5:00pm

Passat is definitely not blue in the face!

The Volkswagen Bluemotion team, including the Passat (left).
Pic by==: 97

The family, or business user-chooser segment must be one of the most competitive in the industry... a potential buyer could be blue in the face by the time she weighs up all the options, writes Hugh Maguire.

There are so many good cars that choosing one is difficult - the Ford Mondeo, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 407 or Honda Accord, the Renault Laguna, Skoda Superb, Mazda6, the Toyota Avensis... or the Volkswagen Passat.

Since the launch of the current Passat range VW has evolved the car cosmetically and technically and now it has launched a model with the emphasis on economy and low emissions, part of the VW Bluemotion range, the car on test here.

The cabin is huge and the boot is massive. The dashboard is well laid out and in true VW fashion is ergonomically excellent.

It looks and feels high quality and there is plenty of oddments space.

There are four specification versions: Entry Level, Comfortline, Sportline, and Highline, any of which can be ordered as the Bluemotion model.

The varieties are numerous and all cars get ABS, EBD, ESP, ASR (traction control) active head restraints, multiple airbags, air conditioning, auto boot opening, electronic park brake, CD player with eight speakers, electric windows, remote locking and an immobiliser.

In addition all Passat models get a full two-year unlimited mileage warranty and three-year paint work warranty.

The Highline spec adds Nappa leather, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, Climatronic two-zone air conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch Adelaide alloys, electric driving seat, walnut dash inlays, and an on-board computer.

The 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine produces 110bhp and has masses of low speed torque (250Nm at 1,750rpm). Zero to 100kmh takes 11.9s and the top speed is in the region of 196kmh.

This excellent engine is mated to a slick five-speed gearbox.

The car performs well, no matter what gear you select, even in fifth gear its ability to accelerate is good.

In addition this engine is quiet and refined, making this Passat an appealing car in which to travel.

Equally impressive is its frugal use of diesel - 5.8l/100km - C02 emissions of just 129g/km. The advanced Bluemotion Auto Stop Start technology helps achieve these impressive figures.

It stops the engine automatically when you select neutral and automatically restarts when you press the clutch, saving fuel and reducing emissions, particularly in heavy traffic.

The suspension is well tuned too, and suits our sometimes choppy road surfaces, and the car proves surefooted in all conditions.

Overall levels of refinement are high as wind, road and engine noise are well suppressed and the car runs smoothly.

Verdict

The Passat delivers on its promise of solid, safe dependable motoring, with a roomy cabin, and in Bluemotion guise great fuel efficiency.

The Passat Bluemotion in the top level Highline spec costs €31,897. Prices start at €27,390.

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