The exterior, which always looked substantial is even smarter than before. The handsome Audi-like front grill is very fetching in chrome plus new lights front and rear really freshen up the big saloon’s appearance.
The Passat was first launched in 1973 and is now in its sixth generation. It remains as huge inside. The car it replaces lacked flare but the new model has a lovely touch of class to it as it features hints of the posh VW Phaeton.
Rear seat passengers have tonnes of leg and headroom plus the boot has grown by 90 litres to a massive 565 litres.
From the driver’s seat the first thing you’ll notice is the absence of a traditional handbrake. VW has opted for a more modern button operated electronic parking brake that you operate with a press of a right hand finger. Learner drivers will love the hill hold and auto release hill start feature.
A laudable high tech party trick that you definitely won’t see is ‘automatic brake drying’. Similar to BMW’s system the Passat will imperceptibly apply the brakes when the wipers are on to dry the brakes so they are ready to act at their optimum in wet conditions.
The 2005 launch however comes at a bad time for sales as by the end of July 85% of punters buying new cars will have already bought. The large family car (‘D’ sector) accounts for 21% of new car sales in Ireland and is dominated by the Toyota Avensis but VW hopes to gain a 13% share of the market in 2006, currently it has just 5.3%. VW is set for a fight and with a starting price of €25,500 (1.6 FSi) Passat is less than a grand dearer than the smaller Avensis. VW assures me that this price will remain set for this year.
The entry 1.6 litre petrol unit now pushes out 115bhp (up 13bhp) thanks to VW’s lean burn FSi technology, so the car has a bit of poke while delivering great fuel economy. The standard six-speed gearbox helps keep fuel consumption to a minimum particularly on rural runs.
Specification levels come in four guises, Trendline, Comfortline, Sportline and Highline. The engine range comprises of six new petrol FSi units and three new TDi diesels. A six-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox) is also available.
The wheelbase is also longer and the suspension has been heavily revised improving the ride. Lightweight aluminium components feature, plus there is also a new four-link rear suspension set up. The 105bhp TDi I drove lacked urgency but no doubt will be a big seller.
If new Passat is a little too big for your pocket (or needs) the smaller Bora replacement will be on sale from January 2006. Called ‘Jetta’ (remember before ‘Bora’ was ‘Vento’ and before ‘Vento’ was ‘Jetta’) it has been on sale in the US since last February and has now finally made it into right hand drive form. Jetta is VW’s biggest seller in the States and set to be a hit here also. Irish buyers contrary to European tastes love compact saloons.
VW Passat will be a serious contender for Semperit Irish Car Of The Year.
Michael Sheridan
