Prices for the seventh generation Volkswagen Passat have been announced ahead of order books opening tomorrow.

The new car will cost from £18,470 (RRP on the road) for the saloon and £19,745 for the estate.

Every diesel engine is now badged as a BlueMotion Technology product and is equipped with battery regeneration and Stop/Start systems as standard.

The result is that the entry-level 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS is capable of exceeding the economy of the outgoing BlueMotion model with a combined economy of 65.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km.

In turn, the new BlueMotion model, due to go on sale in early 2011, will return 68.8mpg and emit 109g/km of CO2.

Upgraded common rail diesel engines and gearboxes also feature, with a six-speed manual gearbox being fitted to the 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS engine for the first time.

Three trim levels will be available: S, SE and Sport.

Additional equipment added to the new Passat over the outgoing model includes an iPod interface and leather multifunction steering wheel for the S model.

The SE trim level gains an eight-speaker digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and the new driver fatigue detection system; while at the top of the range the new Sport model gains RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation.

All Passats will be fitted with six airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and WOKS (whiplash-optimised head restraints) as standard.