It’s always a pleasure to write the first story on one of our long-term test cars. For seemingly obvious reasons, readers may surmise that due to the magnanimous behaviour of VW presenting us with such a car that we’re duty bound to hide negative views.

Well then let’s get straight to the point - this Passat 2.0T FSI Sportline is a true year-end surprise. And just for a moment forget the numerous international accolades and awards it’s garnered and the fact that it was chosen as one of the South Africa’s 2006 Car of the Year finalists, I still found it to be beyond what a Volkswagen should represent. In fact, why not just name it an Audi A4. Not that I believe its roots are totally A4, but it’s on a par.

What’s more, just forget what that BBC motoring journo had to say about the ‘boring’ Passat - he’s smoking his socks. But, then, he may have a point. See, the Passat 2.0 FSi has a sort of Jeckyll/Hyde syndrome but seems stuck on the soft Mr Hyde side of things - almost a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What’s more, it also suffers with that veritable and dreaded ‘parking-lot-condition’ . . . I inadvertently attempted to unlock a Jetta of the same colour with the distraught owner watching!

It’s a pity really, as the Passat is certainly at the level of either the A4 or Bee-Emm 3 of similar engine size. In the cabin it’s as good as anything on the market. In fact it’s slick and somewhat un-VW and by introducing this Sportline the Passat is a serious contender in the luxury medium saloon car segment in South Africa. It’s a sort of hidden jewel.

It's also grown somewhat in size, fitting somewhere between the A4 and A6 but similarly priced to the smaller A4 - what’s more, it also compares in quality and specification levels too. Apart from the fine engine performance, I’m particularly impressed with its fine road holding qualities and ride, the latter taut enough to offer that sporty feel. But then I ask, why go to such lengths when it’ll all be lost on the grey-suited accountant busily adding beans in his head on the way to work? He probably won’t care a single bean that the Sportline Passat is 57% more torsionally rigid than its predecessor.

It may not be as positive as a BMW 3, but not that far off either with its tuned suspension. Mind you, he’ll most certainly have fallen for its class-leading, slick cabin layout that must rank as a benchmark in its class. The Passat's flowing lines are, well, let’s just call it handsome, but not enough to differentiate much it from its smaller Jetta sibling in a parking lot. But it is imbued with lots of space, one of its main attractions, while its 565-litre boot can still be further expanded by folding the 60/40 split rear seats.

In terms of specification, the Sportline carries a full range of features including front fog lights, darkened ‘privacy’ rear windows, 17-inch Le Mans alloy wheels and the lowered sport suspension. I liked the electronic ignition key that is pushed into a slot on the fascia while the electric handbrake activated via a button on the fascia sounds as though it’s off a space shuttle with its high-tech electronic sounding rasp when engaging or disengaging it.

The two-litre FSi engine is a honey. What is impressive is how little turbo-lag there is. In fact it’s almost unnoticeable the turbo seemingly spooled-up at all times with ultra-quick responses. In fact its acceleration between gears from 80 to 120km/h and 120 and 160km/h is better than its sibling R32 at Reef altitudes. Its 6-speed smooth automatic box with added paddle-shift is also top-notch. The addition of the Sportline models to the Passat range in South Africa completes a comprehensive Passat range in the premium Saloon segment. The Passat also has a long-standing international pedigree and is the sixth generation of the Brand that has sold in excess of 13 million units world-wide.

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