VW Passat R-line Edition

A stand-in diesel Passat spars with one of Ferrari’s finest

AS MENTIONED LAST MONTH, OUR Passat was sent back to VW UK’S press garage for repair after the tailgate got damaged during our ecoty shoot at Anglesey. Thankfully a replacement car was available, so I found myself driving up to Scotland for the second part of ecoty in another Passat, this one a 148bhp 2-litre diesel version. The spec was pure grandad, with a dark blue exterior and a full cream interior.

The drive north was as you would expect – very comfortable, but not hugely exciting. The surprise came when I finally got off the motorway and onto some proper driving roads. I decided to see what the car had to offer and started to push on, and despite the weather not being great, the Passat felt very predictable. Grip levels were fine at the front end but the rear would slip out slightly, and when you combined this with the lean of the car it actually made for quite an enjoyable experience.

With 30 minutes to go until I reached our hotel, I noticed a vehicle making good progress in my mirrors. Assuming it to be one of the evo crew I thought it would only be right if I didn’t slow them down. As the gap closed, I could see it was the F8 Tributo, which then followed me for several miles until we both pulled into a petrol station. As Dickie Meaden emerged from the Ferrari he could barely contain his amusement at what he’d just seen, and admitted he thought it must have been one of the team, even though he didn’t recognise car.

The Passat went on to fulfil its camera-car duties brilliantly that week, but it also proved that you don’t need to have 700bhp to have fun behind the wheel – even on ecoty. Date acquired January 2020 Total mileage

7720 Mileage this month 661 Costs this month £0 mpg this month 28.1