The Passat CC - think sharper styling and Comfort Coupe rather than Coupe Convertible. It's longer, wider and significantly lower than the standard model and is designed to carry four in comfort.
Given company car drivers' changing tastes away from the more traditional saloon to something more sporty looking, the Passat CC is starting to grab the attention of fleet buyers.
This model is getting so popular with the business realm that VW has added a BlueMotion variant to the range. This makes the Passat CC even more attractive as the company car tax bills have been lowered and this 'eco' version is available both in Standard trim or, as tested here, the higher spec GT trim.
The technology is straightforward: stop/start function (cuts the engine when the car is stationary, gears are in neutral and the clutch pedal is up), brake regeneration (the battery gets recharged under braking) and a gear change indicator (tells the driver the optimum time to change gear to improve to fuel economy).
There are no low-resistance rolling tyres, solid wheel trims or slab-sided styling to enhance aerodynamics to help eke out the fuel. The only visible nod to eco mobility is the badge on the bootlid and even that's subtle.
Comparing the performance figures between the previous generation 2.0-litre diesel Passat CC and the latest car with BlueMotion technology reveals there is little difference. Both produce 138bhp, both have a top speed of 132mph and both offer the same pulling power of 320Nm.
However, when it comes to emissions and fuel consumption, daylight emerges between the standard car and the BlueMotion variant. You get an average of up to 50mpg for the standard diesel and a smidgen over 60mpg for the BlueMotion. Emissions are belched out at the rate of 146g/km of CO2 for the standard version, while the BlueMotion reduces this to 125g/km.
The difference in company car tax cost is useful thanks to the lower C02 emissions and lower P11d value. A quick check on the company car tax calculator reveals that for a 40% taxpayer the BlueMotion version costs £154.37 per month, where as the standard GT version costs £191.67. That's a saving of £37.30 a month or £447.60 a year.
There is no doubting that the engine's performance is adequate thanks to smooth acceleration, and the benchmark sprint to 62mph will take 9.8 seconds. The six-speed manual gearbox is smooth and is the perfect companion for this engine as you cruise along the UK motorway network with little fuss.
For drivers looking for a more muscular pacesetter, you can opt for the 168bhp version of the same diesel engine but the company car tax bill will go up as well as the performance.
The handling is very engaging regardless of whether you are on a twisty road or just throwing it swiftly into a roundabout and the looks and interior design certainly would make any executive feel like they would always arrive in style. Now they can do it and save money with the BlueMotion version.
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Also consider:
Not a direct rival in terms of starting price but the CLS is luxurious, practical and a brilliant grand tourer. Need to keep an eye on that company car tax bill.
The S60 has style, an innovative well-made interior, pioneering pedestrian-in-the-road sensing safety equipment and a new range of five-cylinder engines.
An ideal choice for those who need more versatility than a standard saloon offers, while a refined cabin make it great for long distance driving.