Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen's
mid-sized sedan is better equipped, more refined and bigger
than the previous model
What's
New
Simply put, everything. The sixth-generation Volkswagen
Passat takes over from where the previous model left off.
This is no small feat considering that the latter which
was a watershed for a mainstream sedan is widely accredited
at giving the German automaker the confidence to compete
with the premier league of luxury cars by going on to build
the Phaeton.
So
it also comes as no surprise that that the new Passat, though
larger, more spacious and arguably better looking than the
previous model moves the game on, but improves in this area
in much smaller increments.
How
it Performs
We got the opportunity to first sample the Passat last year
on the winding country roads of Spain which, to be honest
are some of the best driving roads in the world.
While
these roads would have been perfect to put a supercar through
its paces, it didn't really flatter the Passat in a way
its maker would have hoped. If anything, it showed up the
car to feel ponderous and rather under-whelming. Oh dear.
Since
then, Volkwagen's engineers might have had time to better
sort the Passat out, or it could also be that the car is
better suited to local roads. Whichever the case, the Passat
feels like a completely different car in Singapore from
how we remembered.
So
different in fact, that we found ourselves checking the
badge on the bootlid and the engine in front to make sure
that it we weren't driving the more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged
variant due to be launched later this year.
While
it isn't blindingly fast, the Passat's direct petrol injected
2.0-litre FSI engine is delightfully free of any lethargy
typically associated a car that's almost as big as a Toyota
Camry.
It
isn't a total stranger to corners as well as the Passat
remains composed with little body roll when it's enthusiastically
steered into a turn. Its steering though, could do with
a little more feedback and a sharper turn in.
Even
when shod with 17-inch tyres, the Passat's ride comfort
was hardly compromised.
The
Passat comes with a smooth shifting six-speed which makes
the most of its 150bhp, which comes on surprisingly early
at just 3,500rpm. Its generous 280Nm of torque also makes
light work of the cut-and-thrust of heavy traffic as it
is available from just 1,800rpm.
How
it Stacks Up
While the Passat is not quite the watershed the previous
model was, we suspect that its subtle but appreciable improvements
in style and quality would now give carmakers like Volvo
with its S40 something to worry about.
When
the more powerful but more expensive turbocharged variant
comes along in a few months, it may even threaten the larger
S60 and the Passat's corporate cousin, the Audi A4.
For
now though, we're just glad that the difference a year makes
to the naturally-aspirated model has been for the better.
| Technical Specifications |
|
MODEL
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 FSI
ENGINE
Engine: 1,984cc 16V in-line 4
Max Power: 150bhp at 3,500rpm
Max Torque: 280Nm at 1,800rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed automatic
TOP SPEED
208 kmh
0-100km/h
10.2s
|
