Three Dom

ACAR patch p050-55(K1-4)Passat
6/7/05
4:34 PM
Page 64
NEW PASSAT: FIRST DRIVE
Threedom fighter
Volkswagen is aiming its new Passat upmarket,
and specifically at the 3-series set. After driving it,
Greg Kable reckons its in with a chance
ETVAAR
GEON
WS
SH
NTIL NOW, Volkswagens

claims that it was going
to push the Passat
upmarket have been just
that. But the company
has made no secret of
the fact that it wants the Passat to
leapfrog traditional rivals such as the
Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 407 and
Renault Laguna and instead take on
the new BMW 3-series. In other words,
a car that is better-looking, more
50 WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK 1 MARCH 2005
engaging to drive and more attractive

to own. But in the week that the new 3series has laid rivals as talented as the
Mercedes C-class and Audi A4 to
waste (see page 56), thats one hell of a
task. The current cars virtues of space,
refinement and quality cant cut it
without dynamic sophistication and
brand equity to back it up.
Only five minutes into our first drive
of the all-new Passat, though, and it
seems like Volkswagen has succeeded.
Just as with the latest Golf, it looks as if

Wolfsburg has taken all the ingredients that made its forebear such a
compelling proposition and added
both agility and far better isolation
from the outside world. The Passat
now shrugs off minor bumps with an
almost arrogant air, yet doesnt feel
detached. And where the last model
came close to being disgracefully fazed
by off-camber or undulating roads, this
time round it almost relishes them.
LATERAL THINKING
But VW has done far more than
improve the Passats on-road behaviour. Its upmarket aspirations are
clearly reflected in the styling, which is
far more dramatic and engaging than
before. With a bold chrome grille and
sculpted sides, the new car exudes
more visual confidence than the outgoing model. Alongside the saloon
there will be an estate, and a
coup/cabriolet derivative based on
1 MARCH 2005 WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK 51
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Biggest change is the way the Passat

drives. Independent rear suspension
means sharpness replaces stodginess
the Concept C concept car with a

folding hard-top roof is in the pipeline.
The scale of the Passats transformation is such that it required a completely
new platform. The Audi A4-based longitudinal engine layout of the current
model has been abandoned for a more
space-efficient transverse engine format closely related to that in the Golf.
So for the first time, front-wheel-drive
versions like that driven here get independent rear suspension.
The sixth-generation Passat is
62mm longer, 74mm wider and 10mm
taller than its predecessor, though the
wheelbase has been extended by just
6mm, leaving the car with some
unfashionably long overhangs a
result, says Volkswagen, of new pedestrian safety laws.
amount of travel and height adjustment, while the steering wheel is

adjustable for rake and reach.
Interior quality is mixed. The
dashboard is an excellent piece of
design, with deep-set chrome-rimmed
instruments, soft-touch plastics and
pleasantly damped rotary switches,
but it is let down by faux walnut and
cheap-looking trim panels.
A lot of thought has gone into creating useful stowage space. There are
deep bins in each door, storage drawers, a covered recess between the front
seats and a truly huge glovebox. The
most impressive cubby hole of all,

however, is the 565-litre boot, which is
a generous 90 litres bigger than the old
models and much bigger than the
3-series 460 litres.
CHASSIS
Under the skin, the Passat has been
transformed, with changes aimed at
creating a more sporting character. A
super-accurate laser welding process
means that the stiffness of the body is
up 57 per cent, and the suspension
incorporates a greater number of aluminium components for added
responsiveness and uses more sophisticated multi-piece sub-frames for

improved refinement.
The front suspension is by
MacPherson struts, as on the old car,
though with revised geometry and a
13.3kg weight saving. The new fourlink rear suspension set-up offers
greater wheel control. Standard wheels
are 16-inch with 205/55 tyres, but
buyers can order an optional sports
package that firms up the springs and
dampers, lowers the ride height by
15mm and brings less forgiving 18inch wheels. The steering has been
IN THE CABIN
Changes inside the cabin are even
more significant than those outside.
First impressions are of a scaled-down
Phaeton, with upmarket details such
as an electronic handbrake, electronic
ignition key and a multi-function steering wheel. And mounting the engine
transversely engine gives appreciably
more room front and rear. The broad,
supportive drivers seat has a generous Upmarket options include keyless entry, sat-nav; rear lights borrow LED technology from Phaeton luxury saloon
6/7/05
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Page 67
SPECIFICATIONS
VW PASSAT 2.0 TDI SE
FOR Spaciousness, versatility, economy
and, at last, driving appeal.
AGAINST Gruff engine, thirsty when
pushed, some disappointing interior quality
Price
19,000 approx
On sale
June
Top speed
130mph
0-62mph
9.8sec
MPG
47.8
CO2 emissions
159g/km
Insurance group
TBC
Engine 4 cyls in line, 1968cc, turbodiesel
Power
138bhp at 4000rpm
Torque
236lb ft at 1800rpm
Power to weight 95bhp per tonne
Compression ratio
18.5:1
Installation
Front, transverse, front-wheel drive
Transmission 6-speed manual
Steering/turns lock to lock
Rack and pinion, electric assistance/3.0
Suspension front/rear
MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar/
Four-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Brakes front/rear
312mm ventilated discs/286mm discs
Wheels front and rear
6.5J x 16in, cast alloy
Tyres front and rear
205/55 R16
Length 4765mm Width 1820mm
Height 1472mm Wbase 2710mm
Weight 1454g Fuel tank 70 litres
Available from Volkswagen GB UK
Ltd, Yeomans Drive, Blakelands, Milton
Keynes MK14 5AN 01908 601187
www.volkswagen.co.uk
Styling more individual and dramatic

and uses some current BMW themes,
such as concave surfaces on the doors
STYLING
Mini-me Phaeton not an ugly car, but large

front and rear overhangs are ungainly.
Stylish door trims include large storage pockets; deep-set chrome-ringed instruments look expensive and classy
heavily reworked, with electric rather

than hydraulic assistance for better
fuel economy.
strength of the 2.0-litre diesel lies in its refined diesels available at this price.
Importantly, fuel economy is up to
solid mid-range urge. You need only
tickle the throttle before the torque 47.8mpg on the combined cycle, which
begins to build. In the lower gears translates to a theoretical range of 737
theres a slight hint of torquesteer as miles from the 70-litre tank. Dip into
BACK ON THE ROAD
That steering contributes heavily to its the forces are fed to the front wheels, those vast torque reserves regularly,
fluency on the road. Whereas the old but traction in the dry is strong and however, and fuel consumption begins
to rocket.
model felt dull and lumpy, the new one overtaking ability is impressive.
On first impressions, it seems that
During constant-throttle motorway
is sharp and responsive. Overall, it
feels better balanced and more poised. cruising, however, you are always the new Passat is a very different beast
Despite possessing fairly lengthy aware there is a diesel sitting up front. to the old one. It is more refined, more
wheel travel, body roll is neither exces- True, the freezing conditions under spacious and better quality, and crusive nor inhibitive when you brake late which we tested the car can cially it is better to drive. But well have
and carry speed into tight bends. Well- exacerbate such things, but there to wait for a test on UK roads to see if it
judged damping ensures any body are considerably quieter and more can seriously challenge the 3-series.
movement remains progressive and
nicely controlled.
With the 16-valve 2.0-litre pumpe
dse turbodiesel four-cylinder delivering 138bhp and 236lb ft of torque
at just 1800rpm, it feels brisk, if
not sporty.
At 1454kg, the kerbweight is down
106kg on a similarly powered predecessor, giving an impressive (for a
diesel) power-to-weight ratio of 95bhp
per tonne. This is reflected in the
claimed 0-62mph time of 9.6sec
0.8sec quicker than the old car and a
shade under what Ford quotes for the
130bhp Mondeo 2.0-litre TDCi.
Top speed is 130mph, but the real Transverse engine layout gives more space in the rear; foot- and headroom good
ENGINE
Good mid-range urge, but most diesels of

this capacity are quieter and quicker.
HANDLING/RIDE
Much more involving. Fluent feel is world

away from old model. Cosseting ride.
BRAKES
Good pedal feel and strong retardation

give the driver confidence at all speeds.
CABIN QUALITY
Good quality and great design overall,

though trim quality a bit patchy in places.
PRACTICALITY
Absolutely enormous boot: interior space

improved by transverse engine layout.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Reasonably well equipped and priced to
compete head-on with its rivals.
SO WHAT DO WE THINK?
A very appealing ownership prospect
which should attract buyers away from
both traditional family cars like the Ford
Mondeo, and established high-end rivals
like the BMW 3-series and Audi A4.

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ACAR patch p050-55(K1-4)Passat

NEW PASSAT: FIRST DRIVE

NTIL NOW, Volkswagens

50 WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK 1 MARCH 2005

engaging to drive and more attractive

Just as with the latest Golf, it looks as if

1 MARCH 2005 WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK 51

ACAR patch p050-55(K1-4)Passat

NEW PASSAT: FIRST DRIVE

Biggest change is the way the Passat

the Concept C concept car with a

amount of travel and height adjustment, while the steering wheel is

most impressive cubby hole of all,

responsiveness and uses more sophisticated multi-piece sub-frames for

ACAR patch p050-55(K1-4)Passat

NEW PASSAT: FIRST DRIVE

Styling more individual and dramatic

Mini-me Phaeton not an ugly car, but large

heavily reworked, with electric rather

Good mid-range urge, but most diesels of

Much more involving. Fluent feel is world

Good pedal feel and strong retardation

Good quality and great design overall,

Absolutely enormous boot: interior space

1 MARCH 2005 WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK 55

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