Volkswagen has added Bluemotion technology across its Passat CC range for the first time with the introduction of modifications such as stop/start and battery regeneration.
The 2.0-litre 140hp TDI Passat CC now achieves economy of 60.1mpg on the combined cycle – up from 50.4mpg – while emissions have dropped from 146g/km to 125g/km. Pay just under a £1000 more for the 170hp version and you get 57.6mpg with emissions of 129g/km, but the lower-powered 140hp is sufficient with good power, if lacking a little midrange as is common in many diesels.
The top of two specs, GT (opposed to standard), has leather seats as standard along with cruise control, rear parking sensors and an eight-speaker sound system.
While you lose some headroom on the CC compared to the original Passat, it is a striking car that gains admiring looks on the road, although on the downside, A-pillar wind noise was particularly noticeable at high speeds. Since launch, VW?has also changed from a four-Seat layout to standard five.
But as it’s no doubt set for further improvements in the CO2 department, the 125g/km means benefit-in-kind tax of 18% and a cost per mile of 54.9 pence still makes this an attractive proposition for business drivers.
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