Driven on public roads in France and Britain by Sunday Times journalist Gavin Conway, the car averaged 45mph and 89.83mpg over 3 days. The Passat Bluemotion’s official, combined economy figure is 64.2mpg (UK).

The Passat Bluemotion is a standard production car, which comes equipped with VW’s stop-start technology, a 1.6-liter rail diesel engine, an economy transmission, aerodynamic changes including a lower ride height, and special tires.

Volkswagen also sells Bluemotion versions of the smaller Golf and GTI models (The Polo in the UK), and was one of the first car makers to offer “green” models. European rivals for the Passat Bluemotion include the Vauxhall Insignia Ecoflex and Ford Mondeo Econetic.

The Passat’s run breaks a record set in 2002 when an Australian couple drove a Peugeot 406 1,459 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Source: Autotrader UK

Without a doubt one of the cutest ads during this year’s Super Bowl XLIV – with a reemergence of Punch Bug. You know hte game, “punch buggy no punch backs!” The rules are simple: You see a VW Bug/Beetle, punch your sibling/friend in the arm, and don’t forget to say the car’s color!

Motor Trend reports the rumor that Volkswagen is in the early stages of creating a New Beetle MK II. This new design is inspired by the Volkswagen Golf. By the images, it has the same oval shape as we have become so familiar with the Beetle design. One of the biggest differences is the lack of the Beetle’s signature wheel fenders. Instead, the Baby Beetle takes on smaller car design influences to appeal to economic friendly compact car seekers.

In the same report, it is also speculated the Beetle will arrive in 2010 with a hybrid version in the works.