Story: DAVID WILKINS
VOLKSWAGEN has added a business-friendly specced up model to the Passat range. The Highline replaces the big-selling SE – and it has plenty to interest company car drivers.
Standard touch-screen sat-nav means an end to excuses for getting lost or turning up late for appointments but Volkswagen has also boosted the kit count with 17-inch alloys, parking sensors at the front and the back and two-zone climate control.
Starting at £20,970 for the 1.4-itre TSI version, the Highline costs £500 more than the old SE but Volkswagen says the value of the new equipment is £1,680.
Other standard Passat features include a Driver Alert System that warns of fatigue, DAB radios, Bluetooth and an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat.
The new Highline specification is available to company car drivers whether they wish to opt for the Passat Saloon or the Passat Estate.
As well as the 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS model, the new Passat Highline is available with the larger 1.8-litre TSI 160 PS petrol engine along with 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS and 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS diesel engines. Both five- and six-speed manuals are available, although with congestion being such a company car issue the six- and seven-speed DSG automatics are likely to be the choice of business car drivers choosing the Passat Highline.
