Motoring Editor Malcolm Baylis is suitably impressed by the sixth generation of a family favourite.

THERE has never been anything particularly flamboyant about the Volkswagen Passat, but the new model, which goes on sale in June, is yet another example of a category leader for packaging.

The structure of the new car has been strengthened by more than 50 per cent when compared with the outgoing model (itself, incidentally, bigger and better than its predecessor), and the panel fit and finish are away ahead of the class average.

This is the sixth generation of the mid-sized family car, first introduced in 1973, and it is even longer, wider and taller.

Also, very few saloons out of the luxury class have anything like the amount of rear-seat legroom the Passat offers, and this has been achieved while still giving the car a generously larger boot, up by 90-litres to 565-litres.

Main competitors, the likes of the Ford with the Mondeo, Vauxhall and the Vectra, Peugeot with the 407 and even BMW with the new 3 Series, could well start to worry.

It is too early in the day to announce prices, but Volkswagen says it expects the Passat to maintain the present market pricing position, therefore starting at around £14,000. Sales forecasts are aiming at approximately 19,000 saloons in a full year, with the estate adding another 13,000.

Keyword behind the car's design is "Dynamics" and so it comes with the new VW face, the V-shape flowing from the bold chrome grille up through the bonnet. And it does look good.

Dynamics of course stem from the ride and drive, and a new multi-link rear suspension provides great driving experience with bags of comfort thrown in, whatever the road conditions. Remember, too, that the chassis is 57 per cent stiffer than before.

Volkswagen offers the new Passat with a choice of four different engines for the UK launch. All are new to the range and all are direct injection. The petrol line-up starts with a 1.6-litre FSI 115bhp and 2.0-litre FSI 150bhp, and goes on via a couple of diesels, the 1.9-litre 105bhp and 2.0-litre 140bhp, both turbo with high pressure injection via Volkswagen's own special Pumpe Duse system. The 140bhp diesel with a six-speed manual gearbox is expected to be the best seller in this country.

There will be a 2.0-litre injected turbo diesel producing 170bhp, a 2.0-litre T-FSI 200bhp and 3.2-litre V6 250bhp joining the range by the end of this year. All of the engines will meet European emission standards.

There are five-gear transmissions for the entry-level models and six-speed for all others, with an innovative dual clutch transmission available on the turbo diesels soon after the launch, while six-speed automatic tiptronic (a mix of manual and automatic) will be available on 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre FSI models. Joining the range later will be four-wheel drive versions.

While the 1.6-litre petrol certainly will not scorch off the line, taking 12.4-seconds to hit 60mph, it has that familiar Passat feature of just climbing up to its cruising speed and letting the motorway miles roll effortlessly by. It runs very smoothly. The 1.9-litre diesel on the other hand is distinctly good, with deep-down torque and lops a few seconds off the 0-62mph mark and, of course, is economical returning more than 55mpg on the extra urban cycle.

Firing up the engines is through a new push start button key, and other technical highlights include an electronic push button parking brake operating on all four wheels, with an optional "auto hold button" a special bit of hi-tech that means the car can be held at traffic lights or on a hill without having to use the parking brake or, if you are naughty, riding the clutch. It is freed by dipping the throttle pedal.

There is also a new cruise control system offered, one that also provides an automatic distance control from the vehicle in front, new Bluetooth hands free telephone system, and a class-leading audio system, and a two-zone climate control system.

Safety equipment levels are unsurprisingly high: including electronic stabilisation programme, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags, fast-response lights, active front head restraints and Isofix child set mountings.

An all-new headlight system means that not only is the beam thrown further forward, but includes an integrated corner lamp that follows the turn of the road and throws more light out at road junctions. There are going to be four design lines, all offering plenty of quality and comfort, as well as a few novel extras. For example, there is an umbrella compartment fitted into the driver's door panel, with a special outlet hole for rainwater to run away.

Interiors are particularly smart, with fabric or leather available together with tufted carpets.

In fact, everything is impressive about this car.

Dealers: Layerthorpe Ltd, Centurian Park, Clifton Moor, York, YO30 4WW

(phone 01904 479666);

Des Winks (Cars) Ltd

Pickering Road, West Snainton, Scarborough

phone 01723 859447

Bumper to bumper

Dimensions: Length 4.77m, width 1.82m, height 1.47m. Wheelbase 2.71m

Engines: Four at launch, two petrol and two diesels, to be followed later by two more petrol and one diesel. Also to come four-wheel drive versions.

Transmissions: Choice from five-speed manual and six-speed automatics with clutchless tiptronic.

Options: From special "light and sight" packs (featuring automatic lighting and rain sensor wipers) to special sports packs (offering a variety of alloy wheels and special running gear) and winter driving packages (from heatable front windscreen washers to heated seats all round).

Updated: 08:42 Friday, April 08, 2005