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If not for the fact that I had purchased a Stationwagon just six months ago, I would certainly be tempted to pop by the Volkswagen Centre Singapore showroom in Alexandra Road and pay a deposit for the new Passat 1.8 TSI DSG.

It wasn't exactly love at first sight, but it certainly didn't take long for me to develop a burning desire of hoping to own the new Passat 1.8 TSI which features a twin-clutch 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG).

Launched sometime in early October, the updated version of the popular Passat saloon boasts a powerful 160bhp 1.8 TSI engine and gets to 100 km/h from rest in just 8.5 seconds (with a top speed of 218 km/h). Against the backdrop of oil price volatility over the past 15 months, it is worth noting that the Passat 1.8 TSI DSG boasts a highly economical fuel consumption rate of 13.6 kilometres per litre - a pretty impressive and cost-efficient figure for a continental car.

The Passat 1.8 TSI DSG is packed with several features which are aimed at enhancing one's driving experience. One of those features that appeal to me personally is the "KESSY Press & Drive" system, which is not only classy but also redefines what hassle-free driving experience is about.

Within a radius of 1.5 metres around the vehicle, the transmitter will automatically turn on the system and what this translates to is convenience for the driver who can simply open the door with just one touch of a button located on the door handle. Instead of the conventional plug, twist and crank key process, I simply have to press the starter module (which is built into the dashboard) to start the engine. All it takes to park the car is three simple touches: push the starter button, then pull it upwards gently, and press the lock function on the transmitter. Fret not if you leave the transmitter inside the vehicle as the system will refuse to activate the lock.

Another key feature which offers convenience for drivers is the push-button operated electro-mechanical parking brake that operates on all four wheels. Again, it is simple to use: You simply have to press the button to activate the 'hand' brake and then press the button again to release the brake.

The electro-mechanical parking brake also incorporates an auto-hold function which can be activated by pressing a button located beside the gear lever. This feature comes in handy particularly during times when the vehicle has to stop regularly for short periods such as during a massive jam. Once the function is activated, the park brake will operate automatically every time the brake pedal is pressed to bring the car to a stop. The brake will be released automatically once the driver steps on the accelerator pedal to move off.