Last week my landlady traded in her faithful 1990 B3 Passat in for a 2007 model year B6 Passat TDI. The B6 was in production from 2005 – 2010.

Having driven the car for less than 100 miles my impressions is of an effortlessly smooth ride, aided by light controls and a slick 6 speed gearbox and some remarkable fuel mileage figures.

The TDI comes across like the Starship Enterprise in comparison with its 20 tear old traded in sibling, more knobs and buttons than one can shake a stick at.

Gone is the old fashioned key to be replaced by an electric one which is of absolutely no use unless the driver is strapped in AND has her / his foot on the clutch.

The car all so dispenses with the old hand brake leaver and has in it’s place a hand brake button, which takes a little getting used to even for a driver experienced in driving many vehicles. Once engaged the hand brake is released automatically when puling away.

With her two kids my landlady needs all of this space when she goes camping with a 20 ft bell tent, it also comes in useful for shifting furniture and building materials about.

Other interesting features include exterior lights that come on when locking and unlocking the doors at night, again no conventional keys are required for this operation.

I’m not sure how the car will perform when I come to borrow it and attempt to defend the Cross Trophy Car Trial next year but I am sure I’ll have plenty of fun giving it a go. With thanks to my landlady.

Hope you have enjoyed today’s late model edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil psycho on tyres’, and that you will join me again tomorrow.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter.

Don’t forget to come back now !