New 7th Generation Volkswagen Passat

CompleteCarGuy

I had a drive in the new Volkswagen Passat yesterday in Barcelona - review is below

Paddy Comyn

...............

Volkswagen's Passat enters its seventh generation and with the model a massive seller in Ireland the success of this latest version is all but guaranteed.

When: 29-30 October, 2010
Where: Barcelona, Spain
What: 2011 Volkswagen Passat
Occasion: International first drive

In the Metal

Think of this as the 'Phaeton-lite' when it comes to design and styling. There has been no platform change and no significant change in dimensions for Passat, but there have been significant changes to the exterior design and Volkswagen have adopted many of the styling cues from the Phaeton luxury car, but this is likely to do more to sales of the Passat than the other way around.

There is a new grille with four crossmembers, so a narrower grille with two crossmembers are for models beneath the Passat and Phaeton. Volkswagen say that the new Passat follows the new Volkswagen "design DNA" and this new front-end gives the car a more aggressive look.

The new dual headlights do give the car a more upmarket look and the side profile now makes the car appear to sit a lot lower than before. There is a reduced wedge shape compared to the previous model and the new rear lights now wrap around into the wings. It looks like a refined and gently tweaked version of the current car, but it all works well. It isn't overwhelmingly different but it is better.

Inside, the quality of the cabin is very good. Gone is the troublesome and fiddly electronic handbrake, which has been replaced by a similar system, but with a much more assured mechanism. The controls are simple, well-laid out and free from gimmicks. Existing Passat customers won't be one bit lost, and new customers will slot in pretty easily too.

Driving It

There is quite an extensive engine range available for the Passat, but the main core sellers in Ireland will be the entry-level 122hp 1.4-litre TSI petrol and from the diesel range, a 105hp 1.6-litre and a 140hp 2.0-litre.

Both the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines have sub-120g/km emissions, putting them in Motor Tax Band B and all diesel versions now come with Stop/Start technology as standard. Volkswagen Ireland says about 60 percent of all buyers will go for the 1.6-litre diesel with the rest split farely evenly between 1.4-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TDI. Only a handful of buyers are expected to go for the 2.0-litre 170hp diesel, or indeed Variant estate or versions with a DSG gearbox.

We spent the majority of our time in the car that will make up the majority of sales and that is the 1.6-litre 105hp diesel and as you might expect it isn't particularly potent. Sure enough, the torque figure of 250Nm isn't bad, but it does take 12.2 seconds to get to 100km/h. It doesn't feel slow, but there are dead spots and the torque feels like it only comes in short bursts.

Better, much better actually, is the 140hp 2.0-litre TDI and with the fact that this now is a Band A car, there might be a move towards this, but obviously there is likely to be about a €1,800 price walk from the 1.6-litre diesel to the more powerful 2.0-litre diesel and maybe buyers just choose to go for a higher spec car instead.

The Passat feels like a much more refined car, which appears to have been the aim and the gearchange is certainly smoother and the steering feels more communicative than before. The seats, as you might expect, are comfortable yet supportive and this is very much the sort of car designed with lots of mileage in mind. And we know already that the diesels are capable of lots of kilometres between fill-ups.

Passat doesn't feel as overtly sporty to drive as say a Ford Mondeo or perhaps Mazda6, but it betters those cars in every other regard.

What you get for the money

The Passat comes in three grades, starting at the base level with the Trendline, which has 16" steel wheels with hubcaps which is a little nasty, but you do at least get manual air-conditioning, all-round electric windows, aux-input for your iPod and ESP and lots of airbags. Add another €1,900 and Comfortline grade adds the 16" alloy wheels, Climate Control and a multifunction display to name but a few. Add another €1,800 and Highline will give you 17" Michigan alloys, alcantara bits for the upholstery, heated front seats, a CD changer, tyre pressure monitoring system and a full size spare wheel.

DSG double-clutch transmission will add a massive €2,700 to the price, and that is a lot, but it is a great gearbox.

At the moment, the prices have yet to be confirmed, but we do know that the 1.4-litre TSI will have a starting price of under €25,000. You can expect to pay around €27,000 for a 1.6-litre TDI and closer to €30,000 for the 2.0-litre TDI 140hp.

Worth noting

The Variant model is also available from launch, although in Ireland there is a very small uptake on this version. In Germany, around 80 percent of all Passats sold are Variants. Expect to pay around €1,800-€2,000 more for the estates compared to the saloons.

Summary

The best car in the segment? Well if it wasn't before then it is now. It looks more refined, feels more composed and both of the key diesel engines are now more efficient and in Motor Tax Band A.

CompleteCar Index

Paddy rates the 2011 Volkswagen Passat 8/10 in the CompleteCar Index.

Volkswagen Passat 1.6-litre 105hp TDI

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel

Maximum power: 105hp at 4400rpm

Maximum torque: 250Nm at 1500rpm

Acceleration (0-100km/h): 12.2 seconds

Max speed: 195km/h

Fuel economy (combined cycle): 4.2 l/100km

CO2 emissions: 109g/km

Motor tax band: A

Annual road tax: €104

Retail price: TBC Circa €27,000


Volkswagen Passat 2.0-litre 140hp TDI

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel

Maximum power: 140hp at 4200rpm

Maximum torque: 320Nm at 1750rpm

Acceleration (0-100km/h): 10.0 seconds

Max speed: 210km/h

Fuel economy (combined cycle): 4.6 l/100km

CO2 emissions: 120g/km

Motor tax band: A

Annual road tax: €104

Retail price: TBC Circa €30,000


Volkswagen Passat 1.4-litre 122hp

Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol

Maximum power: 122hp at 5000rpm

Maximum torque: 200Nm at 1500rpm

Acceleration (0-100km/h): 10.3 seconds

Max speed: 205km/h

Fuel economy (combined cycle): 5.9 l/100km

CO2 emissions: 138g/km

Motor tax band: B

Annual road tax: €156

Retail price: TBC Circa €24,750

bazz26

What a bland design. Hardly an all new car either since it is a heavily facelifted Passat B6. The prettier, less conservative Passat CC should have replaced this lazy effort. Also I would not call it a class leader unless soft touch plastics define a class leader these days. I would still put the Insignia and Mondeo ahead of it overall.

R.O.R

Irish pricing is to be confirmed next week, with the Irish launch around the 27th November in the national exhibition centre.

Have 2 orders in already based on estimated pricing. Will be a huge seller next year, if VW have the numbers available.

GTE

I much prefer that to the Passat CC and the model it just replaced. The rear end on the CC thing is fug-ugly!

CompleteCarGuy

I didn't think there was going to be another CC, but I got it from a VW insider last night that there will be another. I really loved the estate model but nobody buys them in Ireland.

P

pajo1981

This thing looks tasty. It will prob be my next car.

i'm such a borin' bollix!

pajo1981

CompleteCar.ie, is the car awash with hard plastic like the b6 was?

Also, what was it like for road/engine bay noise & general creaks and rattles?

CompleteCarGuy

The problem with press events is all the cars are dripping in kit, so its can be difficult to get a real picture of the car until it comes to Ireland but there are improvements for sure.

In terms of the drive, the gearchange is much better, the parking brake has been changed for a better one and it just feels like a better car. It isn't by any means revolutionary but it is an evolution.

Paddy

I did put up a video on it there today on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBlSh4Jv5Hc

pburns

The way I see it is this: the current Golf is a re-hash of the Mk5 (Ver 5.5?). VW were losing market share in Europe and needed a replacement it a hurry. Cue heavily-facelifted rather than all-new model (same glasshouse)

And guess what? They got away with it. New Golf has been a success. So now...they're trying it with the Passat. I find it extremely cynical given VW's supposed upmarket pretensions...

mickdw

The current passat is only 5 to 6 years old so this was always going to be a facelift to be fair. As facelifts go, its quite a heavy one. Would expect an all new passat in about 3 years

johndaman66

pajo1981 wrote: »

Also, what was it like for road/engine bay noise & general creaks and rattles?

I think its usually a few years later the creaks and rattles materialise pajo1981.

Midnight_EG

Looks like a longer Golf Plus to me


Don't like at all

TontoMurphy

Jaysus, it looks cat..... How did that get passed, considering how good the Passat CC looks. Very lazy effort.

EPM

johndaman66 wrote: »

I think its usually a few years later the creaks and rattles materialise pajo1981.

You'd be surprised...it is a VAG product...

Matt Simis

bbk wrote: »

I much prefer that to the Passat CC and the model it just replaced. The rear end on the CC thing is fug-ugly!

Really? I thought the rear of the CC was nice and fresh looking. Lots of CCs in the US, didnt see any regular Passats.

Also, on the OP article, Paddy Comyn clearly has never seen a Phaeton in person and possibly not on the web either..

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

mickdw

johndaman66 wrote: »

I think its usually a few years later the creaks and rattles materialise pajo1981.

Not at all. Parents have one that has the worst glovebox creaking Ive ever heard - from new. Now it would be easy to solve but they are not terribly bothered by these things.

Mr Benevolent

'Phaeton Lite'? A bit like calling a 520i a '750i Lite'. VW have officially lost the plot.

Berty

The Passat is always a true performer on the Diesel Market and a true "Rep Mobile".

If I have a choice between a Passat and another similar car then the Passat will ALWAYS get serious consideration.

Like most cars it will grow on you. I hated the 2005 Focus but it grew on me and in Sept 2005 I bought one.

This will be the same.

Look passed the looks and concentrate on the spec and it will WIN

johnos1984

Berty I agree.

I'm not a fan of the styling but I got a loan prior to purchase for a few days and in the end I loved it. Very nice, very comfy, perky enough but underpowered, well specced and it has some sense of deep quailty. I know others will disagree with the quality comment but I can argue with people about another favourite on the market, the Mondog. We have a new model in the family which has been nothing but trouble. The Passat feels a more substantial car in every regard, maybe not as involving to drive v=but certainly more relaxing

I've parted with my money and should have it next weekend. VRTing it has delayed me getting it

pajo1981

johndaman66 wrote: »

I think its usually a few years later the creaks and rattles materialise pajo1981.

The B6 I had creaked like an old ship pretty much from new... But then, the roads I do drive on aren't the best.

colm_mcm

johndaman66

mickdw wrote: »

Not at all. Parents have one that has the worst glovebox creaking Ive ever heard - from new. Now it would be easy to solve but they are not terribly bothered by these things.

pajo1981 wrote: »

The B6 I had creaked like an old ship pretty much from new... But then, the roads I do drive on aren't the best.

Dear God...And there was I thinking one of the main reasons you pay a premium for Golfs and Passats and they held in such high regards in some circles is because they were so well built...I guess thats out the window so!

AugustusMinimus

THe latest Golf and Passat designs seem to have gone siginificantly backwards.

The older models were far better looking.

opinion guy

Berty wrote: »

Look passed the looks and concentrate on the spec and it will WIN

Seriously ? The modern VW's are like tractors on the inside. Hard plastic and clunky buttons everywhere. Toyota's for example come with much higher spec as standard. You pay for the toys with VW

Berty

Your personal opinion I guess. I think the Toyota interior is very plasticy and the door cards are very uncomfortable whereas the Passat is much more comfortable.

The seats are softer as well. Even the Comfortline Passat is a good spec and the spec of the highline is much cheaper than its market equivalents.

The Toyota Avensis is not a desirable car so I dont class it as competition.(handy).

colm_mcm

If you're ignoring looks and worried about spec, then a superb has to be a contender.

Spec doesn't sound generous to me. I'd imagine a similarly priced insignia or Mondeo has more gear.

CompleteCarGuy

Matt Simis wrote: »

Really? I thought the rear of the CC was nice and fresh looking. Lots of CCs in the US, didnt see any regular Passats.

Also, on the OP article, Paddy Comyn clearly has never seen a Phaeton in person and possibly not on the web either..

Eh course I've seen one. I've driven it. The latest Phaeton has a really similar grille to the new Passat.

opinion guy

Berty wrote: »

Your personal opinion I guess. I think the Toyota interior is very plasticy and the door cards are very uncomfortable whereas the Passat is much more comfortable.

The seats are softer as well. Even the Comfortline Passat is a good spec and the spec of the highline is much cheaper than its market equivalents.

The Toyota Avensis is not a desirable car so I dont class it as competition.(handy).

Well each to their own. When I first sat into a 2010 showroom golf I was instantly transported back to my uncle's 1983 Defender 90 in terms of interior spec. I'm just saying....

cian1500ww

I actually prefer the styling of the older models such as the B5, wasn't a fan of the B6 so not really liking the new facelift either.

pburns

mickdw wrote: »

The current passat is only 5 to 6 years old so this was always going to be a facelift to be fair. As facelifts go, its quite a heavy one. Would expect an all new passat in about 3 years

That's a good point. They seem to be stretching out the lifespan of a particular architecture by spending a bit more at facelift time and changing body panels rather than just tinkering with lights and chrome trim. Maybe that's a win-win for everyone...

bbk wrote: »

I much prefer that to the Passat CC and the model it just replaced. The rear end on the CC thing is fug-ugly!

You would need a very conservative outlook to prefer it to the CC in fairness. I'm not a big VAG fan but I think the CC looks fantastic.

TBH I don't understand how anyone with an iota of interest in cars (i.e. anyone spending even 5 mins of their time contributing to this forum) would want either an Avensis or Passat. They are so boring and common. If it must be a family car what about something even slightly less ubiquitous and more driver-focused like a Mazda6? And if you're not doing the mileage there's a whole cornucopia of choice out there for the same money.

But I guess that's a whole other story...

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

cian1500ww

Plowman wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

The new design will probably grow on me but for the time being I'd take the B5 over it

mickdw

pburns wrote: »

If it must be a family car what about something even slightly less ubiquitous and more driver-focused like a Mazda6?

Ive never driven the mazda 6 but the latest 6 and the previos one have aged terribly IMO

Matt Simis

CompleteCar.ie wrote: »

Eh course I've seen one. I've driven it. The latest Phaeton has a really similar grille to the new Passat.

Thats the problem, that isnt a "Phaeton grille" its the new VW marque grille. It was shown on the Polo and other models long before this. Yes its on the Phaeton now too, but that means nothing other than allowing you to name drop the Phaeton. Its also the Grille on the Jetta, Polo, Golf etc.

There is nothing Phaeton-esque about this car, other than the (admitedly clear) intentional family resemblance, but that existed long before these facelifts (both models).

Nonoperational

mickdw wrote: »

Ive never driven the mazda 6 but the latest 6 and the previos one have aged terribly IMO

I'd strongly disagree with you there.

mickdw

Fair enough but they come across very tacky to me now. Also looking at a top spec mazda 6 at launch, the interior materials were not good enough.

Ali Babba

I hope they managed to get the handbrake right on this model but no doubt in true VW style they've probably managed to make it even more complicated...... Personally I wouldn't touch a VW they haven't made a decent car since the 80's.

mickdw

Ali Babba wrote: »

I hope they managed to get the handbrake right on this model but no doubt in true VW style they've probably managed to make it even more complicated...... Personally I wouldn't touch a VW they haven't made a decent car since the 80's.

The handbrake did have some reliability issues but can you please tell me what exactly is complicated about using it or any other electronic brake for that matter? TBH, if anyone is having issues with the operation of that system, I dont think they are capable of driving full stop.

VolvoMan

mickdw wrote: »

The handbrake did have some reliability issues but can you please tell me what exactly is complicated about using it or any other electronic brake for that matter? TBH, if anyone is having issues with the operation of that system, I dont think they are capable of driving full stop.

The question for me is what's wrong with a conventional manual handbrake.:rolleyes:

cedan

mickdw wrote: »

The handbrake did have some reliability issues but can you please tell me what exactly is complicated about using it or any other electronic brake for that matter? TBH, if anyone is having issues with the operation of that system, I dont think they are capable of driving full stop.

Electonic handbrake is an overengineered gimmick in my opinion. The only people I could see it benefiting are learner drivers who have trouble with hill starts etc.

The problem that most people seem to find with it is that it was completely unnecessary. What was the problem with a lever between the front seats????

oh and btw, anyone else think that the new Passat looks very like the older range from the late 90's? Awful looking car imo.

mickdw

VolvoMan wrote: »

The question for me is what's wrong with a conventional manual handbrake.:rolleyes:

Nothing at all wrong with the normal handbrake but this system does make extra systems easier to integrate.

cedan wrote: »

Electonic handbrake is an overengineered gimmick in my opinion. The only people I could see it benefiting are learner drivers who have trouble with hill starts etc.

The problem that most people seem to find with it is that it was completely unnecessary. What was the problem with a lever between the front seats????

The electronic brake allows easy add ons such as auto hill hold which can be a nice feature if driving in alot of stop start traffic on a hill. It stops the driver having to reach for the handbrake every minute.

I still cant see whats complicated about its use. I do however know alot of people dont actually use it properly. They actual keep trying to release the brake by hitting the button again instead of allowing self release. These are generally the people who then complain that its a terrible system

opinion guy

Presumably you can't handbrake turn with an electronic handbrake ??

Ali Babba

mickdw wrote: »

Nothing at all wrong with the normal handbrake but this system does make extra systems easier to integrate.



The electronic brake allows easy add ons such as auto hill hold which can be a nice feature if driving in alot of stop start traffic on a hill. It stops the driver having to reach for the handbrake every minute.

I still cant see whats complicated about its use. I do however know alot of people dont actually use it properly. They actual keep trying to release the brake by hitting the button again instead of allowing self release. These are generally the people who then complain that its a terrible system

Tell that to the AA, it was number 1 on their breakdown list for a good while. Not only is the handbrake a problem, have you seen the door locks, window winder mechanisms and many more component parts? Overly complicated and third rate quality at best. Mercedes-Benz went down this road in the 00's and look where it got them. That said, quality's gone out the window with most manufacturers these days anyway, we can see this lately with Toyota too. It seems the lifespan for a car these days is ten years or so at best.

Just as they solved the rust issues the f**ked it up with electrics and third rate parts, I doubt we'll see too many modern cars make it to classic status.

mickdw

opinion guy wrote: »

Presumably you can't handbrake turn with an electronic handbrake ??

Not with the audi one anyway. You do have the option of emergency braking though. If you pull the handbrake button and keep it pulled while driving, it activates emergency braking at all 4 wheels bringing the car safely to a stop.
Given that this button is located on centre console on many cars, it could be a useful feature too if driver had a heart attack or whatever - the passenger would be able to quickly bring the car to a halt whereas pulling a traditional handbrake would be useless at speed.

mickdw

Ali Babba wrote: »

Tell that to the AA, it was number 1 on their breakdown list for a good while. Not only is the handbrake a problem, have you seen the door locks, window winder mechanisms and many more component parts? Overly complicated and third rate quality at best. Mercedes-Benz went down this road in the 00's and look where it got them. That said, quality's gone out the window with most manufacturers these days anyway, we can see this lately with Toyota too. It seems the lifespan for a car these days is ten years or so at best.

Just as they solved the rust issues the f**ked it up with electrics and third rate parts, I doubt we'll see too many modern cars make it to classic status.

I fully agree that quality is sh1te. My 08 Audi is poor on quality compared to older models too. I did state that it had reliability issues but your post referred to making it even more complicated which to me means you were referring to the function of it. My reply was highlighting that it is in no way complicated. It should make little difference to good drivers and it should help poorer drivers.

Absurdum

and people here complain about Toyotas being boring

German fanboys :rolleyes:

Matt Simis

Absurdum wrote: »

German fanboys :rolleyes:

Why the rolly eyes... more complaints in the this thread than compliments!?

mondeo

Thats a horrible facelift, looks like an old Superb

Chipboard

I saw one of these yesterday but it was a far sexier looking machine than the picture above. I thought it was a Mercedes CLS at first. Fantastic looking thing for a Volks. I'm sure someone is going to tell me that this model is priced at the equivalent of 3 small houses. Awful shame we live in this godforsaken country where all decent cars are ridiculously priced.

Matt Simis

Chipboard wrote: »

I saw one of these yesterday but it was a far sexier looking machine than the picture above. I thought it was a Mercedes CLS at first. Fantastic looking thing for a Volks. I'm sure someone is going to tell me that this model is priced at the equivalent of 3 small houses. Awful shame we live in this godforsaken country where all decent cars are ridiculously priced.

Are you sure you arent talking about the near 2 year old Passat CC?

The new saloon Passat (this article and thread) looks nothing like a CLS? The Passat CC incidentally has a more Phaeton feel to it (rear cluster almost the same), 4door coupe design etc.

In the US they avoid this confusion, the Passat CC is simply called the VW CC.