The european mileage estimates for cars are wildly optimistic and don't reflect the real world. I drive a 2010 1.6tdi with 105 hp and don't get near the reported test figures. I think when they say 3.2 they ACTUALLY mean the steady state mileage between 50-60 mph.
Of course that's still really good but throw a few stops lights in there and a heavy foot and its not realistic.
I don't see many americans wanting a car with that low hp either. It's a slow car.
True on the slow ride thing, however, only true if the person is a gear head. If they are a Toyota, Nissan, and Honda owner, they don't care about handling, performance, or quality. They just care about Safety and Mileage.
I like to drive, and I like to feel what the car and the road are doing. I was in a Loaner Camery (2011), and I can now see why MT, C&D, R&T all say the Japanese brands are just appliances. Very Very dull ride, SLOW, and Plastic as far as the eye can see!
So, if VW were to accomplish their goal of 800,000 units per year, they need to bring the BlueMotion line up over to the US, and also bring over a Diesel in ALL Models. But it needs to be reliable too. Put the Passat's set up in the Golf and other Diesel Models. The Passats are everywhere in this area now, and They out number the Camery and Altima on the road now, at least from what I see. And almost All the Passat's that I see are TDI models as well.