By Tony Ng

BY THE TIME you read this review, the new Volkswagen Passat would have already arrived in Volkswagen's showroom.

The mid-sized saloon gets a new lease of life through a new gearbox, VW's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. However, except for a new rim design, the exterior remains untouched.

Which is not a bad thing because the Passat doesn't look outdated. When I drove it around town during the Singapore Grand Prix, I swear the saloon could have easily replaced any of those official cars ferrying McLaren's Hamilton and his team-mate Kovalainen around. And we all know what they drive.

And I do like how the saloon looked like it meant business in the gleaming sunlight, a polished sheen reflecting off its black surface and chromed bits.

With business-like German efficiency

The Passat's executive credentials are badged by the business metaphors of the gleaming expanse of chrome around its nose and windows. Coupled with the polished black sheetmetal, there should be no problem with this 1.8-litre going head-up against its similar-sized (and perhaps even bigger competitors).

Equipment level is high and classy, giving it an executive edge. Seats are upholstered in Alcantara and leather and for the front occupants, they get electrically adjusted sports seats. Other features include automatic headlights, folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/exit, press-start driving, a six-CD autochanger and the ilk. Impressive and very much what you would have expected of Volkswagen.

Glance around the cabin and you will notice the stamp of German efficiency all over the Passat's fascia and central console. The dashboard is lightly decorated with chrome edges a la the higher-end Passat CC.

Utilitarian and practical, the console is there to do its job, which is to let you locate and press the buttons with minimal fuss. Again, there is only the slightest aesthetic touch-up - a set of brushed aluminum decorative inserts. However, the practicality shouldn't have extended to the rims. The design is fine but its finish seems to be of a non-event when compared against all that polish of the Passat.

The new seven-speed DSG (VW's direct shift gearbox) is a wonderful joy to have in a 1.8-litre mid-sized saloon.

During my drive, the saloon echoes of the R36, however faint. Let's not kid ourselves. The Passat is not sporty. It is not meant to be. Nevertheless, it still feels good to know that there is always a chance for the autobahns.

The saloon is eager to get off the line and hence, its century sprint feels much faster than the claimed 8.5 seconds. An efficient 160bhp four-cylinder develops 250Nm of grunt at a low 1,500rpm and it plateaus until 4,200rpm. More than enough from one traffic light to the other.

Shift the stick into sports mode and you'll step a wee bit closer to sports saloon territory. For a saloon, the steering and handling surprises with its decisiveness and sensibilities. There is none of that mushiness you'll associate with a saloon. Its 1.8-litre size also becomes an apparent advantage here.

Unfortunately I did have a problem trying to get the Passat to do a luxurious, rolling start. I'm not entirely sure whether it was because of my heavy-footedness or it was a characteristic of the dual-clutch transmission. Also, because the Passat is initially built to left-hand drives, its auto-hold button is on the left-hand side. That makes it awkward for the driver here because he has to snake his hand around the gear stick.

The Passat's fuel economy benefits from the seven-speed DSG. Compared to its predecessor who only has a six-speed automatic, the DSG-equipped Passat consumes 15 per cent less fuel in city-driving cycle. Which is the cycle that matters most to us city-dwellers. Carbon emissions are also lower than its predecessor, having been reduced from 195g/km to 175g/km.

Considering all the premium features that comes as standard, the Passat does feel like a solid, well-balanced package at $120,300. The Passat places itself well in the youthful range with a pliant ride that's suitably sporty, what with a Sports shift available, and manages well in the professional executive segment with all the executive trimmings.

tonyng@sph.com.sg