Volkswagen Passat 2006 Review

Local Launch

Volkswagen Passat (2006-)

A year earlier, the Passat had introduced the world to Volkswagen's first in-house developed front-wheel drive, front-engined, watercooled passenger car. It marked a radical change from the rear-drive rear-engined air-cooled tradition of the Beetle and its sedan, van and wagon brethren.

Now for the Passat's sixth generation some equally significant changes that have gone on under the bonnet. Where the previous car was based on the Audi A4 and used its longitudinally-mounted engines, the new model is all-VW with new transverse-mounted engines, six-speed transmissions and a new all-wheel drive system.

As you would expect, it's also bigger in every direction, has more kit and increased technology.

The range has also been significantly trimmed down from the 10 models in the previous line-up and now comprises a simple choice of either sedan or wagon and three engines. At the entry level is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that drives the front wheels through a six-speed semi-automatic DSG gearbox. Prices start at $42,990 for the sedan and as with the rest of the range, the wagon carries a $2000 premium.

Next up is the front-drive 2.0-litre turbo direct-injection FSI petrol engine mated to a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission priced from $44,990. At the top of the range is an all-wheel drive (4motion in VW-speak) 3.2-litre FSI V6 that drives through a DSG box.

Although the dimensional increases are not huge, they do make a difference to the space inside, especially in terms of cargo capacity. The volume of the boot in the sedan has been increased by 90 litres while the wagon will now swallow 603 litres under the standard cargo cover with the rear seat back up. Drop the 60/40-split rear seat back and the cargo capacity of the wagon increases to 1731 litres.

There is also an abundance of storage cubbies including a neat brolly holder in the driver's door and what must the largest capacity drinkholders in the door bins in any car this side of an SUV.

Volkswagen has long had a reputation for its stylish interiors and the new Passat doesn't disappoint with a design that is both fresh and different to the standard fare. It is also screwed together with Teutonic precision, although we suspect the groove just below the windscreen that arcs across the front of the car may end up being a substantial dust reservoir.

The new Passat doesn't scrimp on technology although some of it remains questionable in its real benefit.

The handbrake has gone and has been replaced by an electromechanical parking brake activated by a switch on the dash; the conventional key has been replaced by a transmitter device that is slipped into a slot in the dash and given an extra push to start the car; the optional bi-xenon headlights offer a dynamic cornering function and there is a tyre pressure monitoring system that tells if you one of your boots is losing pressure.

Firm, is also the best way to describe the ride quality offered by the front McPherson strut and new four-link rear suspension.

Over the short drive for the media launch on what were admittedly some very chopped up roads, we thought the ride was perhaps too firm -- and that was just on the standard suspension tune with 17-inch wheels not the optional stiffer sports tune with 18-inchers. We will reserve final judgement until we spend more time in the car on familiar roads.

In terms of creature comforts, the Passat is loaded, making it very good value for money in the mid-sized prestige market. Air conditioning is a dual-zone climate control system; windows, mirrors and the driver seat backrest and lumbar support are all electrically controlled; there is an excellent eight-speaker six-stack CD audio system with steering wheel controls; and cruise control.

The V6 models also gain leather trim and heated front seats as standard.

SAFETY
The solid build of the car lends itself to the impression that it would probably hold up well in a crash and this has been borne out with a five-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test program. To help with this, the Passat is fitted with eight airbags including dual front bags, front and rear side airbags and full-length curtain airbags.

All seat belts bar the rear centre lap/sash are fitted with pretensioners, with load limiters on the front as well. Active head restraints complete the passive safety features.

On the active safety front, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and Brake Assist helps stop the car while ASR traction control and ESP stability control help keep it on the road in slippery conditions.

The V6 models also feature 4motion all-wheel drive as standard. The system uses a Haldex coupling and under normal driving delivers 90 per cent of power to the front axle, however, this can change with up to 100 per cent to the rear under extreme conditions.

While the all-wheel drive system is a safety benefit, we suspect that it was also deemed appropriate for the V6 model to ensure effective delivery of the engine's substantial power and torque.

MECHANICAL
The biggest changes mechanically over the Passat's predecessor are the introduction of all-new engines and a move to a transverse, rather than longitudinal, mounting.

At the entry level is the 103kW/320Nm 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel. Although VW hasn't offered a diesel in Passat in Australia for some time, this is not the first with that honour going to the original Gen I in 1975. The 103kW engine was also not VW Australia's first choice and it will only be offered until about the end of the year when the new 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre TDI arrives.

The increased power and torque come courtesy of a piezo pump high-pressure jet-injection system. But along with the extra grunt will come increased cost with the entry level diesel expected to be priced the same as the 2.0-litre turbo petrol model at $44,990.

This car features VW's latest turbocharged direct-injection (FSI in VW/Audi terminology) 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that delivers a maximum power of 147kW between 5100rpm and 6600rpm and peak torque of 280Nm between 1800rpm and 4700rpm.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is the only one in the range to be mated to the conventional six-speed automatic transmission, although it does offer a tiptronic function to hold and shift ratios when you want.

Both the diesel and the top of the range V6 use the excellent six-speed manual DSG gearbox. DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) is actually a manual gearbox in which the shifts are controlled electronically, alleviating the need for a clutch pedal. Using two separate gear sets and two clutches, it can be used in full auto mode or sequentially with driver input via a flick of the gear lever.

The V6 engine is also new and replaces the aging 2.8-litre unit in the previous model. The new V6 is a 3.2-litre direct-injection unit that delivers 184kW at 6250rpm and peak torque of 330Nm from 2750-3750rpm.

Volkswagen is also hoping to snare some buyers from the more expensive equivalent BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 models and sees the premium Japanese contenders such as the Honda Accord, Subaru Liberty and Nissan Maxima as rivals.

ON THE ROAD
As happens when you close the door of the new Passat with a quality thunk, the same impression pervades as you slowly move away from the carpark. This is one very solid mid-sized sedan that seems built for driving pleasure -- to borrow a phrase -- and seems far removed from the family toolabout nature of the previous generation Passat.

Not that the new car lacks its share of family sedan and wagon attributes -- there remains plenty of space, an abundance of creature comforts and a very reasonable pricetag to boot.

It's just that as you squeeze the throttle -- at least in the top of the range V6 4motion in which CarPoint spent the bulk of the 200-odd-kilometre Hunter Valley launch loop -- there is an enthusiasm that urges you on.

The delivery of the power to all four wheels through the excellent DSG transmission is smooth, responsive and decidedly linear pushing right on through to the redline (if you choose to hold gears yourself).

There is a pleasant V6 soundtrack about it as the revs rise but not one that becomes harsh or particularly loud. Over coarse chip surfaces, however, there is some intrusion of road noise and at highway speeds a bit of wind noise could be heard about the A-pillar.

As you move up the gears, the response from the DSG box is crisp and effective and pushing into the first corner, the suspension bias in the car becomes abundantly clear. There is little if any body roll, and the car maintains its line with a solid, surefooted precision courtesy of the grippy tyres and all-wheel drive.

The steering -- now electromechanical -- is reasonably weighted and responsive as the speed increases but it does lack a bit of feel.

But for the new car's dynamic prowess, there is certainly a trade-off in the ride quality. On the smooth freeways the car felt firm but still comfortable but head off onto badly rutted B-roads and there were times when there was just a little too much jiggling for our pleasure. There is certainly a degree of compliance, and as mentioned before, many of the roads were in particularly bad shape, but a few big ruts produced a particularly harsh crash.

The brakes, while very effective, also take some getting used to being quick to grab at the first brush of the brake pedal.

On first opinions, the new Passat has certainly improved dramatically in its driving capabilities and characteristics and with a long list of kit, a decent styling job and very competitive pricing, it is well worth a look. Especially if you are contemplating those prestige brands at the top of the mid-size ladder.