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21/04/2011
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
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Although it’s never been more than a bit part player in Australia, the Volkswagen Passat has been one of the mainstays of the giant German carmaker’s range for almost 40 years. Unfortunately, most VW models, it suffered from the company’s long dormant period in this country during the 1980s and 1990s following on from the demise of the Beetle.
All that has now changed and the current, factory-based Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) is one of our most dynamic and efficient vehicle importers.
The latest, seventh generation, version of the Passat has now arrived here following its unveiling at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. While the new generation name infers that it’s an all-new car, the 2011 Passat is really just an upgrade of the sixth generation model that’s been here since 2006.
Changes include new body panels, revised grille and headlights, larger V6 engine, lower fuel consumption and emissions and the introduction of a number of innovative safety and convenience features.
The new Passat’s grille is wide and narrow in marked contrast to the Audi-style vertical grille of its predecessor. The headlights are the same height as the grille and wrap around to give a neat, flowing appearance. LED daytime running lights are available as part of a Driver Assist and Visibility option package for either $2600 or $2900, depending upon the model.
Although exterior dimensions are effectively unchanged the horizontal grille does give new Passat a wider, squatter appearance.
Interior room is good, with plenty of space for four adults without any real need to compromise on legroom. Boot space is very good in both the sedans (between 541 and 565 litres) and especially in the wagons (588 to 603 litres). With the rear seats folded down the wagon can take up to 1731 litres, giving it a serious advantage over its competitors.
Engine choices remain as before: 1.8-litre turbo-petrol (in the 118TSI), 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (125TDI) and V6 naturally-aspirated petrol (V6 FSI). Apart from improved efficiency the only significant change is an increase in the capacity of the V6, up from 3.2 to 3.6 litres, and resulting in increased power (220 kW from 184 kW) and torque (350 Nm from 330 Nm).
All 2011 Passat variants come with Volkswagen's superb DSG double-clutch gearbox – seven-speed in the 118TSI and six-speed in the TDI and V6. These automated manual units combine faster shifts than are possible from even the best driver with a full manual gearbox, together with the added benefit of greater fuel efficiency.
Another component of the improved fuel efficiency of the new Passat (up to 12 percent according to Volkswagen) is the Stop/Start feature that’s being added to more and more vehicles nowadays. At this stage it’s only fitted to the Passat 125TDI which consuming just 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, in both the sedan and wagon, according to the Australian combined city/highway testing standard. This is an impressive 0.8 L/100km below the consumption of the sixth generation Passat.
The Passat 118TSI turbo-petrol uses 7.2 L/100km (sedan) and 7.5 L/100km (wagon) while the V6 rates at 9.7 and 9.5 respectively. All models have also reduced CO2 emissions.
Among the new safety features available with the 2011 Passat is City Emergency Braking (City EB) which automatically applies the brakes when the car’s computer system senses an imminent low-speed (under 30 km/h) collision. We’ve been able to test a similar feature in the Volvo XC60 and have been impressed with its effectiveness. It comes as a component of the adaptive cruise control
Also new is a fatigue detection system that can detect a decrease in driver concentration and sends out both a sound and visual warning. If the driver doesn’t take a break within the next 15 minutes then the warnings are repeated. The system operates by analysing the driver’s typical steering behaviour such as steering angle, use of pedals and acceleration/deceleration patterns and then picking up any deviation that may indicate tiredness. We look forward to testing this interesting innovation during our upcoming road test.
Other safety features include eight airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and electronic stability control. The Passat V6 comes with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all wheel drive system as standard.
All models come with Bluetooth for both telephone and audio as well as a USB socket and connection cable in the glovebox. There’s also the option of an upgraded version of Volkswagen’s clever Park Assist automatic parking system.
Unfortunately the recent chaos at Sydney airport prevented us from getting to Melbourne to test drive the new Passat but we’ll carry out our normal extended road test shortly and report on its on-road performance then.
The complete 2011 Volkswagen Passat range, with prices (excluding government and dealer charges) is:
118TSI 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $38,990 (seven-speed DSG)
125 TDI Highline 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $43,990 (six-speed DSG)
V6 FSI Highline 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: $55,990 (six-speed DSG)
118TSI 1.8-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $40,990 (seven-speed DSG)
125 TDI Highline 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $45,990 (six-speed DSG)
V6 FSI Highline 3.6-litre petrol five-door wagon: $57,990 (six-speed DSG) |
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