The latest Volkswagen Passat may bear the same name as the 1973 original but that is where the similarity ends writes Geraldine Herbert What is it? Volkswagen has finally got serious about its Passat. It’s always seemed to lag behind the main star in the range the Golf, the popular sibling who had the best wardrobe leaving the Passat to fill the role of safe, sound and reliable older brother. It was the car of choice if you didn’t crave attention or demand a lively drive. All that changes with the launch of the eight-generation family car. Who is it aimed at? If practicality, economy and style in a family car is what you need then the Passat Estate just might be what you are  looking for. Styling? The new Passat is elegantly designed and beautifully trimmed and now with a more angular and sharper look it sits better with VW’s more desirable line-up and with it Volkswagen have high hopes of tapping into the premium section of the market for the first time. Under the Bonnet?Fitted to our test car was a spirited 2.0-litre, twin-turbo diesel producing 190 bhp that manages more than 60mpg with emissions of 123g/km.  It also makes this estate surprisingly nippy,ably supported by a super smooth semi-automatic DSG gearbox. Engine noise is well supressed and it is only if you drive it aggressively that you will notice any engine noise at all. It comes as no surprise from Volkswagen that there are a huge range of  engine choices but it is the 1.6 TDI 120bhp that will blow you away in terms of fuel economy, it returns 4 litre per 100 km or 70 miles to the gallon and has CO2 emissions of just 105g/km making it only €190 to tax. On the road it has enough performance to suit most people’s needs, going from 0 -100 in a very respectable 10.8 seconds, it has the perfect blend of performance and fuel economy. If petrol is your preference then there are two 1.4-litre engines  to choose from, a 125bhp or  150 bhp which uses Volkswagen’s Active Cylinder Technology. This operates by shutting  off two of the engine’s four-cylinders when not required, which means that you’ll get a lot more out of your fuel tank. What about inside? Inside, the Passat is impressively equipped and from the leather seats...