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07/07/2011, 19:49
Car Review By MURRAY HUBBARD
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In the halcyon days of the station wagon they were the dumb blondes of the automotive world. Plenty of space, not a lot of nous. These days they are not even called ‘station’ wagons and space between the doors has given way to safety, practicality and intelligence. Enter the new Volkswagen Passat wagon.
The German maker released the 7th generation Passat in sedan and wagon format in March. The vehicle underwent a subtle facelift so externally you need to be a ‘trainspotter’ or Passatophile to notice the differences. What has changed is hidden away in computers. Technology has always been a VW Passat strong point.
VW pigeon-hole Passat as a ‘business or private long distance tourer’ so the technology is geared to just that, particularly when it comes to safety ... although it also has some options designed to stop or minimise urban bingles. On top of all that after a week at the wheel of the 2.0 litres diesel 125TDI we came to the conclusion it is simply a bloody good thing to drive.
BODY STYLE
Passat now features the VW design DNA of the higher models with it’s four dominant crossmembers. Lesser models have only two crossmembers. But the most dominant feature of the Passat front is now the new dual headlights with optional bi-xenon and LED daytime running lights. These are part of VW’s driver assist and visibility package. We like the idea of the LED lights - not because they are the latest trend - but simply for safety. Cars with these lights stand out in dim morning and late afternoon conditions particularly on open country roads where some cars get `lost’ in the shadows of trees lining the side of the road. Each of the daytime running lights consists of 15 LEDs. Passat is slightly longer and wider but remains the same height for both the sedan and wagon. The rear end is more wedge-shape adding to the vehicle’s elegance. The rear lights now wrap around the wings.
POWERTRAIN
There are now three engines in the Passat stable and our test car came with the 125TDI diesel. VW claim a combined 5.7 litres/100 km. We were pleased to improve on this by recording 5.4 litres/100 km after some steady highway cruising. This is a wagon that will impress the bank manager. The TDI engine is equipped with VW’s BlueMotion technology that includes stop/start and a battery regeneration mode. Stop/start works by stopping the engine when the car is at a stand still. Take your foot off the brake and the engine re-starts. These systems vary from being dreadful - as in the Alfa Romeo Mito (you can turn it off, thank goodness) - to being non-invasive as it is in Passat. What we mean by non-invasive is that the car has little to no hesitation when you restart. The bottom line is that it helped achieve our week-long combined consumption figure of 5.4 litres/100 km. This 2.0 litre, turbo-charged engine also packs a decent punch. It produces 125 kW at 4200 rpm and a healthy 350 Nm of torque between 1750 - 2500 rpm. It is hitched to a six speed DSG transmission.
SAFETY
With the previous Passat model already having a five star ANCAP safety rating the new Passat has an excellent pedigree. There are front airbags, side and curtain airbags front and rear. The new Passat also features seatbelt fastening detection for the rear seats and horizontal adjustment for the front head restraints, helping reduce whiplash injury in a crash. Passat also has fatigue detection that can detect driver concentration levels dropping and sounds an alarm as well as giving a visual message in the instrument cluster. It’s this type of technology that sits well with VW marketing Passat as a long-distance touring car. In addition Passat has lane assist which automatically, and gently, countersteers, if a car is `wandering’ off its lane - marked either with broken or continuous. The system acquires lane markings from a camera located near the rear-view mirror.
INTERIOR DESIGN
No major changes here, just an evolutionary facelift. The centre console has been re-designed, there’s new seats, new door trim and new accents and an upgraded dashboard. Our test car came with brushed aluminium accents complemented by splashes of chrome on light, mirror and window switches. With black upholstery and high-end plastics used, the overall effect is dark, but classy. Being a `Highline’ model the 125TDI wagon also came with two built-in booster seats for little ones that weigh between 15 and 35 kg. These seats simply lift out of the rear window pews in one easy movement. The rear seat is a 60/40 split fold which grows the already cavernous boot space from 603 litres to 1731 litres when laid down. A switch on either side of the boot interior releases the seats for easy folding.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
We found the Passat wagon one of those vehicle where you get in and immediately feel right at home. The new seats are supportive - as well as heated - and for the driver have power controls including lumbar support adjustment, another important factor in long-distance travelling. We peeked under the boot floor and found a full-size alloy spare, another requirement for cars that go on long hauls. The 2.0 litre turbo diesel has more than enough grunt for any vehicle, let alone a family wagon. It is quick off the mark at 8.8 seconds in the 0-100 sprint. It will lope along all day at 110 km/h and has a lot in reserve for passing slower vehicles. Passat is well-balanced with a refined chassis that allows stable cornering even during enthusiastic driving.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING*
Passat 118TSI 7-speed DSG $38,990 wagon $40,990
Passat 125TDI Highline 6-speed DSG $43,990 wagon $45,990
Passat V6 FSI Highline 6-speed DSG $55,990 wagon $57,990
(*Pricing does not include government or dealer charges)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Standard
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Curtain Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS (125TDI)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.968 litres
Configuration: in line four
Compression Ratio: 16:1
Bore/Stroke: 81.0 mm x 95.5 mm
Maximum Power: 125 kW @ 4200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 1750- 2500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: N/A
Automatic Transmission: 6-speed DSG
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4771 mm
Wheelbase: 2711 mm
Width: 1820 mm
Height: 1636 mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1554 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Towing Ability: 1500 kg (kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson strut, coil springs
Rear Suspension: Independent 4 link, coil springs
Front Brakes: ventilated discs
Rear Brakes: ventilated discs
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 8.8 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 5.7 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ unlimited km |
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