Passat – Page 3 – Automobiles Review

2013 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition – US Price $23,495

Volkswagen US has announced a new limited series Passat called Wolfsburg Edition. The family car will be offered with a number of nice extras with a little additional cost.

This “value-oriented” model comes with perforated leather seats (heated fron), a power driver’s seat, satellite radion and a Media Device-Interface with an iPod cable. Other highlights include a multi-functioning steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity and distinctive 16” alloy wheels.

2013 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition is powered by a 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine with 170HP (127 kW) and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a 6-speed automatic gearbox powering the front wheels. 0-100 km.h in 8.7 seconds, which good performance for everyday driving.

The 2013 Passat Wolfsburg Edition will be priced from $23,495.

Source: Volkswagen

April 24, 2013

Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept

Volkswagen has detailed the Passat Performance Concept, which will make its official debut at the Detroit Motor Show, next week.

The saloon is powered by the well-known 1.8 liter TSI four-cylinder petrol – 253HP (186 kW). The modified engine will replace the 2.5-liter inline-5 in United States. The smaller engine has more power and torque and lot lower fuel consumption. The 1.8 liter TSI is coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The Passat Performance Concept comes with slight exterior modifications – a set of 19” alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension, a revised front bumper, bi-xenon headlights with LEDs and LED rear lights. At the rear, there are dual exhaust pipes

The interior boasts two-tone leather upholstery and a number of carbon fiber elements.

Source: Volkswagen

January 11, 2013

Volkswagen Passat CC by KBR Motorsport

KBM-Volkswagen-Passat-CC-medium Usually, when you need some extra character on the road, you turn to aftermarket designers like A. Kahn or tuning houses that resemble Gemballa or Prior. They will be more than happy to put a bumper or two on your gone-souless Mercedes or Porsche. But then, you can do this with your car…provided that you are not ashamed to drive around with “SWAT” written on your side.

Here SWAT actually stands for “Special Wagons And Tuning” which is the parent company of KBR Motorsport and they are responsible for this camouflaged Volkswagen Passat CC. It’s not likely to blend in with it, is it? Luckily, for every drop of insanity here, there’s some sense that compensates. Take the aftermarket 3rd grade coilover suspension – it lowers the four-door coupe neatly so that, at the very least, the 9 x 20-inch R12 Nero wheels gain as much visual prominence as possible. The tire size on all fours stands at 225/30ZR20. There’s some artillery involved as well – an exhaust system that includes a racing catalyst and a 76 mm single tailpipe. That jumps the power of the Passat to 280 hp.

And that camouflage thing, is not really a paint job. It’s more of a foil job done by the guys at CoverEFX. And that pretty much wraps it up – the KBR Motorsport Volkswagen Passat CC Now-you-see-me-now-you-do style.

Source: KBR Motorsport

August 3, 2012

World Record: Volkswagen Passat Covers 1626 Miles on a Single Tank of Fuel

We often get figures from car makers that, from time to time beggar belief. Especially when we are talking about estimated mpg data. It goes without saying then, that nothing beats a real life test to see exactly what’s what. That’s exactly what record breaking duo John and Helen Taylor have done – travel 1626.1 miles on a single tank of fuel (a record breaking distance). The car of choice was a 2012, manual Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Clean Diesel.

It was a three day journey with a starting point at Houston Texas. The tank was brimmed up with a batch of ultra-low sulfur diesel and the fuel cap was then sealed by officials. And when we are talking real life, we mean real life – 120 pounds of luggage was stuffed at the back and the driving was done only during daytime hours so that the traffic could also contribute as a factor. On the third day of the journey, after 1626.1 miles, the couple reached Sterling, Virginia where the world record was confirmed – 99.5 miles better than the previous record holder (a Volkswagen Passat 1.6 BlueMotion diesel). The average consumption of the TDI Clean Diesel turned out to be 84.1 mpg.

That’s pretty impressive when we take into account that the 2.0-liter engine inside it generates 140 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. The given EPA estimated fuel economy for it stands at 43 mpg at the highway. Every single state is quite happy about the Passat’s emissions as it has been fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) – some sort of which craft that makes rainbows and butterflies come out from the exhaust.

“The Passat was engineered and designed to be a comfortable yet fun to drive alternative in the midsize segment. The TDI Clean Diesel version unites driving dynamics and fuel efficiency that isn’t found in the competitive set,” said Rainer Michel, Vice President of Product Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re honored that the Taylors chose the 2012 Passat TDI as the vehicle to set this outstanding distance record. Their record shows just how economical the Passat TDI can be in the right hands.”

This is not Taylor’s first efficiency venture. They are in fact renown for independently researching various ways of efficient driving, holding workshops globally. Their collected data from drivers around the globe is as vast as their ambitions.

John and Helen Taylor next to the Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Clean Diesel

Source: Volkwsagen

May 9, 2012

2012 Volkswagen Passat R-Line – Price €30 225

Volkswagen has unveiled the new 2012 Passat R-Line, which is available from €30 225 in Germany. The R-line is based on the Euro-spec model and comes with complete aerodynamics package and some other nice upgrades.

The exterior package includes a new front and rear bumpers, a pair of revised side skirts and a gloss black rear diffuser. The front grille features R-Line logo. The vision is further enhanced by a body-color roof spoiler and silver anodized roof railing for touring version.

The features of the Passat R-Line, the dynamically tuned sports suspension, lowering the suspension by 15 mm belong (except for vehicles with DCC) and the 17” alloy wheels type “Mallory” in titanium silver with 235 mobility tires. An 18” set is available as an option.

The interior features a lot of R-Line equipment – sports seats in design “Kyalami” the decorative inserts in “titanium silver” in the dashboard, door panels and center console. There is also a ts leather steering wheel and stainless steel elements on the pedals and the front door sill plates with R-Line logo.

For the Passat and Passat Variant, there is now also an optional “R line package design” (for Comfortline and Highline). It includes the R-line bumper, the rear or roof spoiler in body color, newly designed side sills in styling as well as the R-R-Line logo on the radiator grille.

The design package for the Passat and Passat Variant is a price of €990.

Source: Volkswagen

May 3, 2012

2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack UK – Price £28 475

Volkswagen has announced the UK price list of the new 2012 Passat Alltrack. Esentially, the vehicle features raised ride height, 4MOTION four-wheel drive and rugged body enhancements.

It is based on the popular and versatile Passat Estate, but offers better agility off-road. The vehicle is available in only one trim level in the UK with a choice of two engines: a 2.0 liter 140PS TDI with 6-speed manual gearbox starting at £28 475 OTR and a 2.0 liter 170PS TDI with 6-speed DSG transmission, which is £31 025.

Standard equipment includes Alcantara upholstery, 2Zone electronic climate control, RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation, DAB radio, MDI iPod connectivity, Bluetooth telephone preparation, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and 18” Canyon alloy wheels. A Driver Alert System that monitors the driver’s responses to raise awareness of fatigue is also standard, as is ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).

The options list can add High Beam Assist, which automatically controls dipping of the headlights; Side Scan Lane Change Assist, which monitors the vehicle’s blind spot; Lane Assist; ACC Adaptive Chassis Control; Automatic Distance Control with City Emergency Braking function; Park Assist (second generation); an interior ambient lighting pack; a rear-view camera; and an electrically deployed towbar.

The 2012 Passat Alltrack boasts a generous towing capacity of 2 000 kg, which is 200 kg more than an equivalent Passat Estate.

Check out the price list below.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack model line-up and pricing

Model	Engine derivative	CO₂, g/km	Combined mpg	Price, £ RRP OTR

Passat Alltrack	2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6 spd manual	150	49.6	28,475
Passat Alltrack	2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6 spd DSG	155	47.9	31,025

Source: Volkswagen

March 16, 2012

LC Super Hybrid Technology to debut at 2012 Geneva Motor Show

The LC Super Hybrid Technology is conceived by Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) and the Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) with the only aim to show significant CO2 reduction through the means of electric hybridisation at low voltages (12-48 volts) using the latest lead-carbon batteries. The technology offers the potential of a mass market, petrol-powered, large family car with superb drivability, with spectacular performance and excellent 5.6 litres/100km (51mpg) fuel economy.

The LC Super Hybrid Technology is going to be showcased for the first time at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show. The low voltage (12 volts) technology has been created by UK-based Controlled Power Technologies in colaboration with the US-based Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium. The vehicle includes production-ready technology sold by CPT to Valeo. Other international companies involved are AVL Schrick based in Austria and Germany, Mubea also from Germany, and the UK-based Provector.

Volkswagen Passat 1.4-litre TSI model with LC Super Hybrid Technology

To be more precise, the technology is mounted on the series production 1.4-litre turbocharged VW Passat TSI model. Including the LC upgrade, the vehicle weighs around 1530kg which means that the technology adds the additional 79kg. Nevertheless, much of this additional mass including the test equipment would be eliminated in a production vehicle as well as the existing starter motor. The additional payload further underscores the excellent performance and drivability of the LC Super Hybrid demonstrator. Going straight to the point, the technologies features an electric supercharger, next generation belt-integrated starter generator with an advanced belt tensioning system, carbon improved valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries which avoid the need for super-capacitors, and higher gear ratios to reduce engine speed. Thus, this results in increase of power from 122 PS (90 kW) to 142 PS (104 kW) and torque from 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) to 275Nm (203 kW). The effects can be compared to the Passat’s bigger 1.8-litre TSI gasoline engine, which delivers 160 PS (118 kW) and 250 Nm (185 lb-ft), and hence the engine output of the LC Super Hybrid Technology is generally equivalent to vehicles in the 2-litre class. Additional advantage is that the vehicle also achieves near diesel levels of fuel economy, but with substantially lower production costs. Furthermore, the LC Super Hybrid delivers CO₂ emissions of less than 130g/km compared with 140g/km for the baseline Passat 1.4-litre TSI. This represents a reduction in CO₂ emissions of 8 per cent. Another benefit is the great fuel economy of 5.6 litres/100km (51mpg), which is significant 11 per cent improvement when compared with 6.2 litres/100km (46mpg) for the 1.4-litre TSI. Moreover, the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time is reduced by 2.5 seconds from 11.1 to 8.7 seconds compared with the 1.4-litre TSI. In addition, the demonstrator embraces low voltage switched reluctance (SR) motor-generators, which are not currently used by the automotive industry in mass production. The motors are constructed from steel, aluminium and copper and avoid the use of increasingly expensive rare earth materials. The SR technology is licensed from Nidec Corporation of Japan, one of the world’s leading suppliers of electric motors.

Furthermore, the improved lead-carbon battery design allows for an excellent charge and discharge characteristic, while the carbon-enhanced negative plate formulations enhance life under hybrid vehicle duty cycles. Additional improvements in the battery are achieved by careful attention to battery management and they also retain the long established end-of-life re-cycling benefits of lead-acid batteries. At 48 volts the low voltage LC Super Hybrid is expected to deliver more than the nominal 25 per cent improvement in CO₂ emissions and fuel economy already achieved when compared with typical 2-litre naturally aspirated vehicles. In addition, the demonstrator develops low carbon ELC concept by incorporating CPT’s next generation SpeedStart stop-start system. The latter features intelligent torque and current control with enhanced stop-start capabilities. Moreover, it is world’s most powerful belt-integrated starter generator (B-ISG) which operates at 12 volts, and the first and only system based on the highly controllable switched reluctance motor-generator technology.

LC Super Hybrid technology demonstrator is based on a VW Passat 1.4-litre TSI model and also features an electric supercharger which boosts the existing turbocharger, and CPT SpeedStart stop-start technology (top right) and Mubea belt tensioner.

Source: Controlled Power Technologies

March 1, 2012

VW Super Bowl “The Dog Strikes Back” Spot

Volkswagen of America Inc. have revealed their third consecutive ad campaign project for the Super Bowl. On their YouTube channel we can watch a 0:75 extended commercial that is due to air on Game Day in a 0:60 second form.

“This is a perfect opportunity for Volkswagen to celebrate with the fans that have made 2011 such a record-setting year for the company,” said Tim Mahoney, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This year’s commercial will build on Volkswagen’s ability to tell human stories simply while continuing to build on the brand’s momentum in the year ahead.”

All formalities aside, VW seem reluctant to drop the Star Wars theme despite the fact that the one now, seemingly has nothing to do with drones and Darth Vader. If you remember last year’s commercial, “The Force” spot, features a young Darth Vader who seems determined to make something work with “the Force”. Needless to say that with a little help of the father in the house, the youngster manages to fire up a VW Passat. The commercial went on to become a viral hit with almost 7 million views on YouTube.

This year, VW released a teaser with an ensemble of dogs that bark out the “Imperial March” and now we have a fully revealed commercial. It features an obese dog which for some reason is unable to get out of the house (supposedly opening the door is not an option). After realizing that there is a good chance of having the opportunity to run along a VW Beetle just for the fun of it, the dog goes on a strict diet and engages in an intense workout. Then there is the Star Wars intermission – the commercial is being watched in the iconic Cantina introduced in Star Wars Episode IV where a rather grown up Darth Vader makes a cameo. We also have that loopy tune from the alien jazz band stuck in our head now.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo

Source: Volkswagen

February 2, 2012

2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

2012 VW Passat Alltrack will make its official debut at the 42^nd Tokyo Motor Show next week. The vehicle will hit the market in the beginning of the 2012. Alltrack is based on Passat Estate and features some very useful improvements.

2012 Passat Alltrack comes with 4MOTION four-wheel drive and a raised ride height that give it greater agility off-road, along with stylish body enhancements. There are stainless steel-look front and rear underbody protection panels and flared side sills. Other highlights are matt chrome roof rails, window surrounds, grille and exterior mirror casings.

The suspension is raised to increase ground clearance from 135 to 165 mm.

On the Passat Alltrack, the front axle is usually driven, with only 10% of propulsive power going to the rear axle. This saves on fuel, but if necessary, almost 100% of power can be sent to the rear wheels, through use of an electrohydraulic Haldex clutch.

The new Alltrack has hill descent assist, ABS and EDS. For vehicles fitted with DSG dual-clutch transmission, the shift pattern is also altered when off-road mode is engaged, with higher shift points to give more power, a flatter and easier to manage accelerator pedal movement and no automatic upshifting in manual mode.

The engine range includes a 2.0 liter TDI with 140PS (103 kW) and a 2.0 liter TDI with 170PS (125 kW) mated to a 6-speed manual and 6-speed DSG gearbox, respectively.

Standard equipment includes Alcantara upholstery, 2Zone electronic climate control, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system, MDI iPod connectivity, Bluetooth telephone preparation and 18” alloys.

The first deliveries are scheduled for next July. Price list is not announced, yet!

Source: Volkswagen

November 23, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

The Passat CC was extremely successful vehicle. It featured a unique style both inside and outside at decent price and some of the clients, who wanted Mercedes-Benz CLS went to get Passat CC, because it looked rather the same.

Now however, there is a new version of the 4-door coupe – 2012 Passat CC, which will be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16.

The new highlights are modified radiator grille, new bi-xenon headlights and topped with a reprofiled bonnet. The bumper is different, too, with a new extra air intake, and silver-coloured winglets that frame the fog lights.

At the rear, the car is completely redesigned, with more emphasis on horizontal lines and a reworking of the characteristic chrome strip. There are new taillights with LEDs and LED numberplate lights.

An interesting thing is that the “Passat” has been dropped from the name. Rather radical idea, but we like it, because this is completely different car.

The standard equipment list is huge, but some of the safety features include driver alert system and front head restraints with four-way adjustment. A lot of option extras are now available – High Beam Assist, Side Assist, ane Assist and adaptive cruise control with City Emergency Braking function; front climate seats with massage function; and an electrically deployed towbar.

The engine range includes 1.8 liter TSI with 160PS and 2.0 litre TSI with 210PS. The diesel range includes 2.0 liter engine with either 140 or 170 PS. All models with 170 PS or more also now get a standard XDS differential, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling.

The CC will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show before going on sale in the US in early 2012.

Source: Volkswagen

November 6, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Passat Exclusive

Volkswagen has announced the new 2012 Passat Exclusive, which is available as a sedan and Variant. The 4-door version starts from €32 450, while the 5-door model costs €33 625. Both are based on the highly equipped Highline trim level.

The exterior of Passat Exclusive is boosted by new 18” light alloy Vicenza wheels and lowered suspension with 15mm.

The interior boasts a Nappa leather seats in “chocolate brown” with colored stitching and piping in contrasting colors “Pepper White”. There is also wood trim and a black leather multifunction steering wheel.

Standard equipment includes side also on the function-oriented speed-dependent Servotronic steering controlled. Optionally, the exclusive trade with among others a titanium black roof liner and active air-conditioned seats (front) ordered.

Source: Volkswagen

October 17, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Passat US Price – $19 995

The new 2012 Passat US is priced at just $19 995, which is more than $7000 less compared to the EU equivalent. This is the base price for the 2.5 liter petrol with 170PS.

The vehicle will be avialable in several levels and it will come with automatic dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls as standard. There is also the Volkswagen’s no-charge three-year/36 000 mile scheduled Carefree Maintenance Program.

The 2.5 liter S model has a price tag of $22 690 and comes with a 6-speed automatic gerabox, 16” alloys and a rear center armrest with storage.

Passat SE is priced at $23 725. This trim level adds 17” alloy wheels, heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat, touchscreen Premium VIII audio system and a multi-function steering wheel with leather upholstery.The sunroof and SAT NAV system will boost the price to $26 795.

The 2.5 litre SEL is priced at $29 895 and comes with Fender Premium Audio System, Homelink, interior chrome touches, wood grain interior décor, comfort seats and exterior chrome accents.

2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium will add leather upholstery, keyless entry and remote start, fog lights, driver seat memory and 8-way power passenger seat.

The 2.0 liter TDI variant will be available in just three trim levels and the price is a lot higher – $25 995 for the entry version and the SEL Premium comes at $32 195.

The new Volkswagen Passat is definitely a great value for money and it is highly competitive to its rivals, especially at this price. There is no doubt, that it will become a best-seller, not only in Europe, but in the US, too.

2011-Volkswagen-Passat-US

Source: Volkswagen US

May 27, 2011

Tag: Passat