(Tue 19 May 09)

Volkswagen has cut the Sport and SEL trim levels from the mainstream Passat saloon and estate range, leaving only the existing S and Highline behind. But the company has also added a new version in between those two, and it's called the R Line.

R Line Passats are based on the entry-level S and come with the same choice of 1.4- and 1.8-litre TSI petrol engines and 108bhp and 138bhp versions of the 2.0 TDI turbo diesel. There's quite a lot of additional equipment over the S, including 17" alloy wheels, a body styling pack, cruise control, height adjustment and lumbar support for both front seats, a front centre armrest, a leather multifunction steering wheel and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

That lot is worth £2470 if bought as optional extras, but the R Line is only £600 more expensive than the S, with prices ranging from £17,040 for the 1.4 saloon to £21,735 for the 138bhp 2.0 TDI saloon with DSG.

The "non-mainstream" Passats - the low-CO2 BlueMotion and the splendid high-performance R36 - are unaffected by the revisions to the range.

Volkswagen Gallery
Volkswagen Road Tests

Previous: Volkswagen Golf Back On Top                    Next: The Most Economical Vauxhall