If only the market was to decide, this car might not have been created. Customers still want a rugged look and inches of ground clearance that are rarely usable. The new Passat proves that it’s a shame.
The famous executive sedan Passat was similarly pivotal for the Wolfsburg automaker, as was the smaller Golf. After all, more than 34 million units of it have been sold in 51 years, while fragments of its popularity, in better or worse condition, are still widely represented in our regions.
In other words, the Passat is a legend, but in recent years it has been thrown under the feet of increasingly popular SUVs, which has translated into increased demand for the station wagon body variant. In recent years, this made up such an extensive component of the model’s sales that the brand has now decided to offer the car only as a station wagon for the first time.
Innovated tradition
So, Volkswagen kept the new “pašík”, but there are now a few changes in his family tree. The novelty is based on joint development with the sister superb, so that both the parent concern and Škoda developers are responsible for certain functional groups of the car. Another significant change is the place of origin, as it also shares a production line with the Superb in Devínská Nová Ves, Slovakia, near Bratislava. Lines for both cars have replaced capacity in recent years dedicated to the production of the New Small Family.
So much for the philosophical sauces. But what does the driver get out of it? We can start with the generous dimensions: the wheelbase is 50 mm longer, the total length has increased by 144 mm to the resulting 4917 mm, while the width of the car has increased by 20 mm to 1852 mm. The height of 1506 mm remained at a similar level to that of the predecessor.
On the outside, the Passat looks nice, the prominent intake opening in the bumper makes even the basic specifications slightly more dramatic. The rear part does not deny the origin in the shared base, but it does not harm the situation at all. Overall, it is a car of a non-confrontational type, but the R-Line exterior package can throw a pitchfork into this definition, with which the Passat looks much more dynamic. The drag coefficient was reduced from cx = 0.31 in the predecessor to cx = 025 thanks to the use of active aerodynamics.
Basic technical data 1.5 eTSI 1.5 eHybrid 1.5 eHybrid 2.0 TSI 2.0 TSI 4MOTION Engine Turbocharged petrol, R4 Turbocharged petrol, R4 Turbocharged petrol, R4 Turbocharged petrol, R4 Turbocharged petrol, R4 Displacement (cm3) 1498 1498 1498 1984 1984 Power (kW at min -1) 110/5500 110/5500 130/5500 150/5000 195/5000 Torque (Nm at min-1) 250/1500 250/1500 250/1500 320/1500 400/1700 Power (electric motor) (kW ) – 85 85 – – Torque (electric motor) (Nm) – 330 400 – – System power (kW) – 150 200 – – Gearbox 7DSG 6eDSG 6eDSG 7DSG 7DSG External dimensions, wheelbase (mm) 4917 x 1849 x 1506, 2841 Luggage compartment volume (l) 690 510 510 690 690 Max. speed (km/h) 222 230 230 232 250 Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 9.3 8.0 7.4 7.5 5.6 Combined consumption (WLTP) (l/100 km) 5.4 -5.6 – – – – Basic price from (CZK) 999,900 – – – –
Digitally trampled
Technically, he does not deny the kinship with the higher Tiguan. Here, too, we can look forward to the innovative matrix LED lamps with three segments, inside we will be greeted by a 10.25″ screen of the instrument panel and a 12.9″, resp. additional 15″ infotainment display with a new, clearer and faster MIB4 environment. The use of the IDA voice assistant with a connection to ChatGPT is also new, but this will come a little later in the update.
Thanks to the larger wheelbase, the space for the rear passengers’ legs is also 50 mm longer, and the standard luggage volume provides 40 liters more, i.e. 690 l. After folding the rear backrests, there is 140 l more space, i.e. 1920 l. Plug-in hybrid versions can then handle 510 lv in the basic arrangement.
Seating comfort was thought of above all. There will be a choice of improved ergoActive seats with several levels of heating or ventilation, now with the option of combining both functions or setting them individually for the seat and backrest. The engineers also paid special attention to the massage program, which now surpasses even the “cat’s paws” from modern Peugeots in intensity. We really appreciated that. The noise reduction of external phenomena is also great thanks to the use of acoustic glass in the front and aerodynamic mirrors.
Basic technical data 2.0 TDI 2.0 TDI 2.0 TDI 4MOTION Engine turbodiesel, R4 turbodiesel, R4 turbodiesel, R4 Displacement (cm3) 1968 1968 1984 Power (kW at min-1) 90/2750 110/3000 142/3400 Torque (Nm at min-1) 320/1600 360/1600 400/1750 Gearbox 7DSG 7DSG 7DSG External dimensions, wheelbase (mm) 4917 x 1849 x 1506, 2841 Luggage compartment volume (l) 690 690 690 Max. speed (km/h) 211 223 232 Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 10.9 9.3 7.6 Combined consumption (WLTP) (l/100 km) – 5.0-5.4 – Base price from (CZK) – 1,175,900 –
A delicate balance
Motor-wise, the Passat will once again rely on the technologies already introduced in the Tiguan model. Practically the only difference between the model range is one added turbodiesel, i.e. a two-liter in the basic version with 90 kW, which will come to the market later. Of the engines offered, we first tested the most powerful two-liter with 195 kW, all-wheel drive and the R-Line sports package on the roads around Nice.
We have already experienced countless iterations of the EA888 engine under the hoods of various companies, but this one surprised us with faster reactions to gas pressure than in the comparable Tiguan, and the noise reduction was also much better. The gearbox shifts imperceptibly and work has also been done on starting it from zero, but its work is still noticeable in a sudden downshift. But after switching on, it shoots forward with a decent cadence.
The chassis is a pleasant surprise. Since the new Passat is a really big car, we were surprised how easily it weaves between lanes on a crowded highway and in mountain hairpin turns. Unlike the Tiguan, which carries itself through the landscape rather safely and aloof, the Passat can draw you into the action better and it is really difficult to make it more nervous.
This surprisingly proved to be pleasant even in conjunction with the basic mild-hybrid 15-litre. With an output of 110 kW, a redesigned ACT+ cylinder deactivation system and a seven-speed DSG, it is a pleasantly nutritious engine with a nicely distributed torque supply over the entire speed range. The low-end torque delivery is enough to whip the driver into revving and not motivate him, combined with excellent brakes and well-managed weight transfers between the wheels, brake-throttle style driving in the basic petrol Passat is actually quite rewarding.
We still had time to complete a short drive with the turbodiesel, which, following the example of the most powerful gasoline, was able to reduce the reaction time for pressing the gas pedal. It also managed to dampen its rudeness better than in the Tiguan. This also confirms to us that Volkswagen’s final decision to drag out one more generation of Passat before switching to electric traction was not a bad idea. But we will have to wait for the week-long test for further conclusions.
2024-03-05 17:00:00
#drive #Volkswagen #Passat #station #wagon #expects
