June 23, 2006
 
ON THE ROAD: VW Passat Builds Passing Power
 
By Richard Williamson
Scripps Howard News Service
 

Since the first Passat rolled off the assembly line 33 years ago, Volkswagen has steadily gained ground on BMW as Germany's premier performance brand. (SHNS photo courtesy Volkswagen) Click to Enlarge

Since the first Passat rolled off the assembly line 33 years ago, Volkswagen has steadily gained ground on BMW as Germany's premier performance brand.
 
Despite a misguided attempt to erase the distinction between mainstream and luxury nameplates with the stratospherically priced Phaeton, VW has bolstered its credentials with the beautiful and versatile Passat, offering luxurious amenities in attractively priced sedan and wagon formats.
 
The sixth generation of the Passat debuted as a 2006 sedan and a 2007 wagon.
 
While the wagon and sedan bear the same front ends, the wagon fights to retain a sporty personality with a racy roofline that tapers toward the tailgate. Bold tail lamps with light emitting diodes are designed to create different impressions in day and nighttime driving. The rear haunches of the wagon are muscular and express the Passat's performance potential.
 
The redesign lengthened the wheelbase to 106.7 inches versus the previous 106.4. Overall length grows to 188.2 inches versus 185.2 before. The body also widens by 3 inches and the track expands 1.5 inches to 61.1.
 
Engineers stiffened the chassis by 57 percent, increasing resistance to longitudinal twisting forces.
 
The Passat Wagon's four trim levels range from $26,175 for the 2.0T to $33,100 for the 3.6 4Motion trim with all-wheel-drive. The Value Edition is base priced at $25,225. The review car, a 3.6L carried a base sticker of $31,150, rising to $37,580 with options.
 
Standard features on the Value Edition include 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, air conditioning, an eight-speaker MP3/CD audio system, cruise control, power windows and locks, keyless entry, power heated mirrors and a trip computer.
 
The 2.0T adds a power driver's seat, alloy wheels, rear-seat/trunk pass-through and chrome trim around the window frames. The 3.6 features 17-inch wheels, an in-dash CD changer, satellite radio and a power sunroof.
 
The 4Motion adds all-wheel drive to the mix. Value Edition and 2.0T options include a sunroof, leather upholstery, an upgraded Dynaudio sound system and a navigation system.
 
The 3.6's options include 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, adaptive bi-HID headlights, automatic dual-zone climate control, 12-way power front seats, and wood or aluminum interior trim.
 
While the 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine in the base model is a strong performer with 200 horses, the 3.6-liter V6 is the pride of the pack, putting out 280 horses through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that can be manipulated as a manual sans clutch.
 
Passat's performance and handling is very characteristic of German cars, with outstanding stability in turns and curves, a great sense of control off the starting line and an excess of passing power at highway speeds. You can also tell a German car by the feel of the brake pedal. Passat's calipers clamp down on the ventilated front and solid rear discs with real authority. Backing up the brake pedal is an antilock system that keeps the stops steady and straight on slick surfaces.
 
Other safety features include stability control, a tire-pressure monitor, anti-whiplash front head restraints, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags.
 
Rear-seat side airbags are an attractive option, especially for parents. The Passat cabin is well designed, though you might need to study the controls on the dash for a while before they become intuitive. Engineers have found a new gimmick for starting the car. The "key" is essentially the fob, which you insert in the dash and push to ignite the engine. You pull it out to stop the engine.
 
Other high-tech gadgetry includes an automatic rear liftgate that closes when you push a button on the elevated gate.
 
While the front seats are extremely comfortable, with excellent side support, my only driver complaint were the rather smallish side mirrors that I found myself adjusting frequently to improve the rear view.
 
The rear seats are generous with legroom, offering 37.7 inches, about an inch more than is available in competing cars. The new generation's storage capacity has been improved with more storage compartments and an umbrella holder in the driver door.
 
In its new incarnation, the Passat should prove a worthy competitor to the BMW 3-Series wagon and even the Audi kindred.
 
The outgoing generation that began with the 1998 model in the U.S. was the most successful of any Volkswagen midsize with sales in the U.S. averaging more than 75,000 a year from 1998-2004.
 
WHAT'S NEW: Redesign with larger dimensions, more standard equipment, more power.
 
PLUSES: Performance, styling, comfort, standard features.
 
MINUSES: Price, small side mirrors.
 
BOTTOM LINE: One of Germany's best mid-size performers.
 
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News Service.