Automobiles Review

Tag: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

  • 2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is Rougher than Before

    Volkswagen Passat Alltrack was revealed ahead of its official public debut during the Geneva Motor Show in March. Based on the eight – generation Passat, the new version inherits a similar theme. This high riding estate is planned to appear in Australian showrooms later this year with a price close to that of the first – generation model – $47,790.

    As it might be expected, there is a range of engines available for the updated automobile. The selection of units offers a 150 HP 1.4 TSI, a 220 HP 2.0 TSI and three 2.0 TDIs engines which are able to boost 150 HP, 190 HP and 240 HP. Top-of-the-line petrol and diesel engines receive a standard XDS+ electronic differential system which is capable of providing selective braking to the front wheels in order to improve stability during cornering.

    So in terms of design highlights, 2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack arrives with a 27.5 mm increase in the ride height and exhibits a rougher stance. Perhaps the most notable change is the revised front bumper. It is underlined by a silver plastic scuff plate as well as a black plastic valance panel and mounted fog lamps. With such additions, the car adopts an extra flair of ruggedness especially when driving on bumpy roads.

    Other alterations on the Volkswagen Alltrack include badges on the grille and front frenders, silver and black mirror housings integrated on the doors, roof rails and wheelarches which receive plastic body cladding. There are also sills with silver plastic scuff plate extensions and a reworked rear bumper. The latter comes with a black plastic valance panel which has trapezoidal shaped chromed tailpipes. Standard 17-inch wheels are available but customers can opt for 18- and 19-inch rims.

    The new Passat Alltrack offers four driving modes: eco, normal, sport and individual. Trying to surprise buyers, Volkswagen has added an off-road mode to all models.

    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
    2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

    Source: Volkswagen

  • Audi A6 Avant Allroad

    Audi-Allroad-A6-thumbWelcome, to the Audi A6 Allroad. It’s like that beefy relative of yours that’s always around when a pickle jar needs to be opened. The one that also has a degree in geology… anyways. What we have here is a quattro Avant that comes with smart, stop/starting, thermo-efficient engines, a light body and a sturdy look.

    There are four engine choices available – three diesels and a TFSI, all in the V6 category. That last one, the petrol, doesn’t make much sense. It’s 3.0-liter displacement accommodates 310PS and 440Nm of torque. It will get the A6 to 60 mph from a stand still in no more than 5.9 seconds and, supposedly, it will return around 31.7 mpg on the combined cycle. That sounds impressive by itself but when a 3.0-liter BiTDI engine is out there as an alternative, the choice is a no brainer really. “Bi” as in two turbochargers, this one has the same power output as the TFSI (313PS) and almost a third more torque – 650 Nm. 0 to 60 mph is done in 5.6 seconds and the economy amounts to 42.2mpg – better in every way really.

    If it’s economy you’re after however, then the “standard” TDI is the engine for you – respectable power of 205PS and an economy figure of 46.3mpg with a CO2 output rate of 159 g/km – just bellow a taxation threshold in many countries. For those who won’t be comfortable even with that, there will always be a fourth option which is the mid-range TDI that has 40PS more than the base one and a healthy lump of torque that amounts to 580 Nm. The 60 mph run is done in 6.6 seconds and the cost of it won’t be much as the economy figures are the equally impressive 44.8 mpg.

    Except for the BiTDI Allroads, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission comes as standard. The BiTDI ones get the latest eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.

    Regardless of what you might choose, know that power will always go trough Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive that splits the incoming torque in a 40:60, front to back manner. Know also that, the engines will have the task to propel the lightest A6 generation so far – 70 kg less then the previous models.

    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant
    Audi A6 Allroad Avant

    To affirm itself as an Allroad, the A6 has to flare its wheel arches a bit. The side sills are kind of extended and there are front and rear stainless steel underbody guards that keep rocks out of the sump department.

    It’s not all rough-and-tumble with the Allroad. Inside, there’s cleverness as well – a 6.5 inch display, sat nav, an electromechanical steering, Bluetooth and a drive selector that lets you choose how all the gizmos, as well as the adaptive suspension and the engine, work – Comfort, Dynamic, Automatic, Individual and Efficiency are the modes to chose from.

    So, does it do better than the VW Passat Alltrack? As a bigger brother, it should so.

    Source: Audi