Passat Bluemotion 2, Volkswagen’s D-segment green offering, goes on sale this week.

Based on the existing Passat Bluemotion, the new model has an automatic stop start system and 2-litre TDI 109bhp replacing the outgoing 1.9-litre TDI 104bhp engine.

Economy on Passat BlueMotion 2 is 55.4 mpg to 57.6 mpg for the saloon and estate models. Carbon dioxide emissions drops from 136 g/km to 128 g/km and 137g/km to 129g/km respectively.

It will cost from £17,700 for the saloon model and £18,835 for the estate, a rise of £475 over the equivalent standard model.

Optimising aerodynamics through a 15 mm reduction in ride height and the adoption of a grille element and front bumper, the usual air intakes are blanked-off and relocated to the underside of the vehicle in order to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Electronic mapping reduces the idle speed and optimises the engine for economy, said VW. The five-speed manual gearbox has also been revised with new, longer ratios for third, fourth and fifth gears to reduce loading on the engine and improve efficiency.