Volkswagen Passat R Line Range : A FINE LINE?

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In R Line trim, Volkswagen's Passat ups the sporting anti in a bid to challenge its more dynamic rivals. Steve Walker takes a look.

Buyers seeking a soupcon of dynamism and flare from their medium range repmobile may have been inclined to give the Volkswagen Passat a wide birth but the R Line trim level changes that. Adding a set of spoilers, alloy wheels and extra equipment to the basic Passat package for a modest premium over the entry-level car can't fail to widen its appeal. The Passat doesn't rank amongst the class leaders but it's closer thanks to the R Line.

When it comes to cars, sporty sells and nowhere is this truer than in the medium range sector where a few spoilers and some nice alloy wheels can successfully draw a veil over the bulky, family-sized dimensions of the most mundane repmobile. We're not talking about performance here, because performance usually leads to expense. It's the suggestion of performance made through simple cosmetic tweaks that the market has a soft sport for and that's pretty much where Volkswagen's Passat R Line is at. Why drive something that looks entry-level when you can pay a small amount more for a car with some serious visual panache. Audi, the brand sitting directly above VW in the Volkswagen Group hierarchy, has had significant success with S Line models that bring added sporty flavour in the form of bigger wheels and body kits. The Passat R Line is Volkswagen following suit and at the modest premium of the entry-level S models, it's easy to image the R Line trim proving a strong seller. It's an all turbo engine line-up for the Passat R Line, with a pair of diesels and a pair of petrol units making up the range. Proceedings open with the 1.4-litre TSI petrol which has a 120bhp output and can get the car to 60mph in 10.5s. It's not what you would call sporty but the 1.8-litre TSI is much more like it thanks to 158bhp and an 8.6s 0-60mph sprint. On the diesel side, two common-rail turbo diesel engines are employed. The first is a 109bhp 2.0-litre and the second is a version of the same engine with a more satisfying 138bhp. 0-60mph performance for these two units is measured at 11.8s and 9.8s respectively. Both are impressively refined and have a smooth power delivery, while the higher powered unit has a particularly hefty slug of torque. It's also the only R Line engine available with the DSG twin-clutch automatic gearbox.

"The R Line models bring extra drama to the appearance of the Passatâ€¦."

The Passat is a slick operator on the road but it fails to involve its driver in the way that the best modern medium range saloons do. There's less feedback through the steering and suspension but the big Volkswagen rides well on most road surfaces and has plenty of grip at the front wheels. It's a typically competent offering from Volkswagen that's better suited to cruising the motorways than launching down a curvy B-road. The basic shape of the Passat is fairly unremarkable, even for a medium range saloon, which is exactly why the R Line trim looks such a valuable component in the range. The neat but forgettable lines are enhanced by the inclusion of the R Line's R styling pack which adds front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a heavily chromed front grille. 17" alloy wheels are also included as standard. It all serves to give these mediocre Passats a more aggressive stance in-keeping with that of the range-topping R36 model. The interior benefits in similar, if less extrovert style, from the R Line trim upgrades. There's a front centre armrest and a leather steering wheel with various controls built in. The Passat is reasonably roomy but not quite as vast as some of its rivals. The materials are also less impressive than the sector's leading lights but there's plenty to appreciate about the simple, accessible controls and the general quality of construction in the car. All Passat models come with front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes and ESP stability control. There's also Climatic air-conditioning, remote central locking and a CD stereo with MP3 compatibility. To this, the R Line models add their various cosmetic accessories, plus cruise control and height adjustment on both seats. The R Line trim level sits above the entry-level S with a modest £600 premium over that car and looks very worthwhile as a result. Both saloon and Estate models are offered. Diesel is the fuel of choice for the company car buyers that account for the lion's share of Passat sales but the 1.4-litre TSI petrol unit could be a dark horse in the race for fleet business. The 157g/km emissions and 42mpg fuel economy make this a viable choice from a cost perspective. It's just shaded by the 109bhp 2.0 TDI version that offers 51mpg combined economy and emissions as low as 143g/km of CO2. The standard 138bhp 2.0 TDI returns 50mpg and 146g/km so its extra performance doesn't cost too much extra day to day. As business users who've done their time scouring the car data sheets for the most cost-effective company car will be well aware, Passats cost a little bit more model for model than the usual medium range fleet offerings. They will, however, hang on to their value with a little bit more tenacity than the Mondeos and Lagunas of this world so it's swings and roundabouts to an extent. Servicing and repair costs shouldn't hold any nasty surprises. Cars like the Volkswagen Passat are scrutinised extremely closely by the fleets and company car users who tend to buy them. It means a watertight value proposition and attractive running costs are essentials and the Passat has routinely offered both. It's when buyers put down the calculators and the spec sheets that the car has tended to lose some of its appeal. Although neat and tidy, it isn't the most compelling thing in the sector to look at. It's the job of the R Line trim level to solve that little problem and it appears to be more than capable of pulling it off. The R Line models bring extra drama to the appearance of the Passat. It's a simple approach but with the more exciting looks on show, it's easier to appreciate the car's traditional strengths. A little bit of sportiness could go a long way for Volkswagen.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Volkswagen Passat R Line range
PRICES: £17,040-£21,735 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 143-186g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0 TDI 140] 0-60mph 9.8s / Max Speed 125mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 TDI 110] (combined) 51.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm [4dr] 4770/1820/1470mm