Talking about a Nissan Skyline might seem an odd way of kicking off a review of a Volkswagen Passat but bear with me here. Cast your mind back to the introduction of the Skyline GTR R34. It was launched in 1999 and featured four wheel drive, a six cylinder turbocharged engine, room for four on board and cranked out 286bhp. Although it cost £54,000, it was seen as a bargain, capable of knocking spots off far pricier performance cars. The Volkswagen Passat R36 shows quite how far we've come in such little time.

For a fraction over half the Nissan's cost back in '99, this Passat offers an extra pair of doors, a transmission of awe-inspiring effectiveness, twenty more horsepower and identical performance. Against the clock, it'll exactly match the Skyline, notching 5.6 seconds to 60mph and a 155mph electronically limited top speed. Make no mistake, this Passat wields a formidable haymaker.

The R36's interior might come as a surprise to those expecting a scaled down Phaeton fascia. The rather functional look and feel of the standard Passat dash has been lifted with the addition of 'Engine Spin' metallic panels, sports dials, an 'R' polished pedal set and multifunction sports steering wheel, integrated into which are paddles for the DSG auto gearbox (there's no manual option). The seats feature alcantara bolsters that contrast with Monte Carlo flat-weave facings and door linings.

Equipment levels are very generous, as would befit the standard bearer for the Passat range and customers can expect to find anti lock brakes, electronic stability control, xenon headlights, 2Zone electronic climate control, a heated windscreen and seats, six airbags and a CD stereo. Fast needn't always mean furious.

"Proof if ever it were required that a Passat can punch its weight"

The rather low-key Passat exterior has been jazzed up to give the car some attitude, although it has to be said that it still doesn't look wholly terrifying. It's a bit like the moment on the ill-fated Celebrity Wrestling show when James 'Gentleman Jim' Hewitt tried to put the frighteners on his opponent. It's too well-mannered to really get your adrenaline pumping. The 18-inch Omanyt alloy wheels are handsome things and the sports suspension has been dropped to help the 235/40 tyres fill the arches convincingly. A bespoke body kit is fitted, the highlight of which is the fluted front air dam that apes the style of the Golf R32. Deep side skirts and chrome detailing on the doors is augmented by a deep rear underbumper assembly that houses the two tail pipes, one on each side of the car. The estate version also gets a small spoiler on the trailing edge of the rear screen.

The engine is an interesting piece of technology, utilising FSI (fuel stratified injection) to develop 296bhp. A variant of this unit has been developed in a lower state of tune for the Touareg and Phaeton models. FSI Uses a high-pressure fuel line mounted on the side of the cylinder head, often dubbed 'common rail', which then injects fuel straight into the combustion chamber. The shape of the pistons and the clever working of a set of valves make the air 'tumble', thus creating more efficient combustion. Where FSI engines really impress is their behaviour under part throttle loads. Whereas before, part throttle meant just that, partially strangulating the output by closing a butterfly valve the FSI system can be run with the throttles in a more efficient open position by creating a rich fuel mix directly next to the spark plug and a leaner mix in other parts of the combustion chamber. This is not only more efficient in terms of how much fuel enters the chamber in the first place but it also means that less energy is wasted as heat to the cylinder block. In effect a blanket of air shields the ignited fuel from the walls of the cylinder.

Part throttle is all well and good in day to day driving, but how does this benefit a Le Mans car? When the throttle is pressed wide open, the engine reverts to a more conventional 'homogenous' method of filling the combustion chamber with fuel and air. The 'tumble' effect and the synchronisation of air and fuel along with the careful metering of the high-pressure injection system all combine to offer more power and a cleaner engine. When you're dawdling you get great economy and when you want to drop the hammer you've got more power.

The 4MOTION drive system ensures that this Passat is sure footed in the worst of conditions and always working to your benefit. Even when the road's dry, the system deploys its power evenly, which is helpful when you have a large throttle opening and a good deal of steering wound on. With 296bhp at your disposal, the 4MOTION system reduces the drama of accelerating out of junctions and onto roundabouts. Don't expect the low profile sports tyres to be much use in snow though.

After the engine, the most exciting feature of this flagship Passat is the revolutionary DSG gearbox that is fitted as standard. This uses sequential manual transmission in order to ensure efficiency and rapid responses, but it also uses a clever twin clutch system to ensure creamy smoothness. Engage first gear and the gearbox will pre-engage second gear in advance, the second clutch engaging as soon as you flick up to fire the Volkswagen instantly into second gear. This means a seamless flow of power. The electronics predict what gear you're about to engage, depending on whether you're accelerating or braking, and the result is astonishing, making every other gearbox look distinctly clunky. The other option is to slip it into 'D' and drive it like a normal automatic. Even in this mode it's butter smooth. One comes away with the impression that some day all gearboxes will be made this way.

A power-packed Passat isn't going to be the obvious choice for the upwardly mobile thruster but it's a fascinating proposition, possibly more so in estate guise. Just aim Volkswagen's Skyline at the horizon and go.

TOP 2 PASSAT DEALS

The results below show the top PASSAT deals on buyacar

	Volkswagen Passat 3.6 V6 R36 4MOTION 5dr DSG Estate
	ETR	Mthly £579	Saving £4,065	Price £28,310
	Volkswagen Passat 3.6 V6 R36 4MOTION 4dr DSG Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £559	Saving £3,907	Price £27,333

typical 11.37% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000