Passat Receives Makeover For 2004 Highline Model To Join Range

The Volkswagen Passat range is to receive a new look for 2004, and be boosted with the addition of a new model, the Highline, available as a saloon and estate. It will sit between the SE and Sport trims, and feature a high level of standard equipment at a great value-for-money price.

Prices for the Highline range will start at £16,562 ‘on the road’ for the 2.0-litre 130 PS saloon and rise to £20,182 for the 1.9-litre TDI estate with 130 PS.

These prices represent an increase of just £150 over the SE model – though the Highline boasts an extra £1780 of value. This comes in the shape of a standard equipment list which includes full leather upholstery, unique ‘Michigan’ 15" alloy wheels, rear parking sensor, and heated front seats and windscreen washer jets.

These are in addition to the standard equipment list on all Passat SEs, which features ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), Climatronic air conditioning, a CD autochanger, twin front, side and curtain airbags and remote central locking with an alarm and immobiliser, among a host of other items.

On all models, the side indicators move to the wing mirrors, giving a more streamlined and modern look, similar to that on the range-topping Phaeton.

A number of new paint colours will also be added to the range, as well as new upholstery on SE models.

Highline models are available to order from this week, with the first cars arriving in the UK next month. All other Passats built from now will feature the exterior changes.

A full price list of Highline models follows:

Passat Highline saloon model	Power (PS)	Gearbox	CO2 (g/km)	On the road price (£)
2.0-litre	130	5 spd manual	194	16,562
1.9-litre TDI	100	5 spd manual	151	16,917
1.9-litre TDI	100	4 spd auto	186	17,932
1.9-litre TDI	130	5 spd manual	154	17,837
1.9-litre TDI	130	5 spd Tiptronic	194	19,217

Passat Highline estate model	Power (PS)	Gearbox	CO2 (g/km)	On the road price (£)
2.0-litre	130	5 spd manual	202	17,527
1.9-litre TDI	100	5 spd manual	154	17,902
1.9-litre TDI	100	4 spd auto	189	18,897
1.9-litre TDI	130	5 spd manual	159	18,802
1.9-litre TDI	130	5 spd Tiptronic	197	20,182