The Alltrack is modified to provide both on-road and off-road capabilities providing, and I'm reading from the press bumf here, an excellent combination of performance, comfort, loadspace and traction in poor conditions.  I have to agree, jumping into the 190ps version there's certainly a sense of calmness and practicality about the Passat……

Around 20 years ago a friend of mine had one of the very first Golf estates, and apart from routine maintenance it never set an inch of tyre tread in a garage, it just kept on going, and going and, well you get the idea.  Not only was it a great family barge, but it was an exceptional work-horse too, carting heavy radio equipment all over the UK without a fuss, which is……