Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion 2.0 highline

First Drive - Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion

2.0 Highline DSG Automatic

The VW Passat has always been regarded as one of the finest Luxury sedans from the German car maker and has been around since its first introduction way back in 1973 when it was first introduced. The Passat now in its 7th generation was just recently launched in India and we drove new Passat Highline DSG Automatic in and around the scenic city of Goa on the day after India won the Cricket World Cup to find out what really is BlueMotion technology along a few more hosts of amazing features that are now on the new Passat. Read on to know all.

Exteriors

The new Passat has been totally redesigned and nothing on the outside resembles or reminds you of the older Passat. From any angle you look at it the new Passat looks very different to the car it replaces. The front has the now so typical VW family look and we are not surprised by that as many auto companies are following that trend lately especially on the front face. The face of the Passat reminds you of the latest 2011 Jetta and Vento. The new sharp headlights now get the Audish LED park lights along with projector lamps, making the new Passat look very attractive even during day runs as you can set the LEDs ON as Day Running Lights. The front grill has four vertical slats in chrome with the large VW logo upfront. The new Passat gets large bumper that’s neatly shaped with the air dam that also has chrome garnishing on it. Integrated fog lamps along with a thick chrome strip that runs low on the bumper highlight the rich look of the car. The bonnet is long going along with the large dimension of the Passat and gets a V crease on it.

The side profile is equally impressive with neatly rounded fenders and large door panels that have the waistline running through. The new Passat also gets a fresh looking wing mirror with integrated turn lights. The 16incher five spoke Barcelona alloy wheels running the 215/55 R16 Parelli Cinturato P7 tyres look meaty and give the car a dominating stance. A chrome garnish strip runs across the footboard mating with the front and rear bumper strips.

The rear of the new Passat reminds somewhat of the Audis rear, considering that Audi hails from the same VW family this is a nice design touch. Flushed-in slim tail lamps have LEDs in them look inspiring. The rear bumper comes up till the tail lamp. Chrome strip runs across the trunk lid which is dominated by a large VW logo that also acts as the boot opener and also works as the reverse camera that’s neatly hidden behind the logo.

Overall the new Passat exteriors are now sportier and look very trendy as compared to its predecessor.

Interiors

Hop inside the new Passat and you immediately notice and begin to like the all black cabin, when mostly all other cars choose to go with the beige or lighter shade interior the new Passat with the all black interior looks sporty and different. Front passenger and driver seats are fully electric and can be adjusted for 12 settings. The front seats can also be heated and cooled from inside thanks to the fans installed in them. The chunky three spoke steering has all the necessary controls for the audio and other functions mounted on it and is also armed with paddle shifters.

The steering has manual setting for height and reach. The speedo cluster is plain and has that elegant look to it thanks to the chrome lining, with simple and easy to read digits spread out. The new Passat gets the Attention Assist that comes into action after you drive the car over speeds of 65kmph, the computer judges your driving style for over 15minutes and then if it detects any sudden change in the driving pattern it immediately flashes a audible and a on screen warning asking for your attention, a very useful feature and we are sure VW would implement this on the other cars from their stable too in the coming time.

The dashboard is made of a rubbery material that is soft to touch and gives a rich feel to it. The centre console remains the same and so does the color touch screen audio system which we always have liked now gets an USB that’s tucked in the glove box. The two-zone climate control works efficiently and silently. A neat little analogue clock is a welcome addition on the centre of the dashboard. ` Burr Walnut` as VW calls it or in simpler words Wood inserts run all over the dash while the centre console gets the brushed aluminum touch.

The DSG auto shifter is good to grip and has chrome laid on it. The engine start button is sportily placed just near the DSG changer. The auto parking mode button and the electro handbrake button along with other key buttons are all around the auto shifter. Loads of storage space all around the large cabin with map pockets and glass and can holders.

Wood inserts on the door pads go very well with the chrome door openers. Coming back to the front seats, they offer ample support and under thigh support. Lumber setting is also available on them. Rear seats is that of 40-60 split configuration and can fit in three passengers easily with good enough space all around, headroom and shoulder room is also very generous. The rear seats are perfectly angled to offer maximum comfort for the rear passengers. Sun roof also comes standard on the new Passat along with auto dimming wing mirrors and the ambiance light package.

The Passat has always been regarded as a very comfortable car to be driven in and that trend is further enhanced with the new Passat.The interiors of the new Passat are functional and simple to operate with many new innovative features like the Attention Assist and the Auto Park Assist which are unheard in this segment.

Engine-Gearbox

The BlueMotion technology has been used on the new Passat engine. Lets first get you the technical details. The new Passat is available only as a 2.0litre Diesel unit that is 1968cc with 170PS of power @ 4200RPM and has 350NM of torque between 1750 – 2500 RPM this engine is mated to either a six speed manual or an 6 speed DSG Double Clutch Automatic gearbox.

What the BlueMotion engine does is that it incorporates a start-stop technique that shuts down the engine if the computer of the car senses that its idling for long, once you tap the throttle the engine comes back to life. This technology saves a lot of precious fuel. There is also a Brake energy recuperation system that converts the kinetic energy every time you brake into electric energy that is sent back to the battery helping it recharge.

On the move the 2.0L Diesel motor feels highly refined and smooth, acceleration is pretty good and instant aided with the DSG gearbox that acts intelligently and shifts flawlessly. You can also either use the paddle shifter or the manual up/down shift on the changer. The mid range performance is brilliant while there is no turbo lag experienced. The Passat surges ahead in a very linear and sedate manner. Overtaking is quick and the Passat felt at home while driving on the hilly stretch around Goa.

The steering is on the lighter side but not as light as a few Japanese cars in the segment, we would have liked a slightly more weight and feedback on the steering. The new Passat is very good at cornering and is a sweet handler. The suspension is tuned according to Indian road conditions and aided by the large tyres helps soak away the bumps and pot holes. Braking is sharp and crisp aided by ESP,ABS the brake assist works flawlessly. We managed to touch speeds of 145kmph that’s what we could do on the Goa roads and the new Passat felt very grounded and stable. In cabin noise damping helps keep the insides silent.

The Park Assist is one other innovative feature on the new Passat that helps the driver park the car in 2 modes, parallel or lane parking. The driver just needs to choose either of the mode and the sensors take over the steering and the driver just has to control the accelerator and brake and the Passat parks itself perfectly.

Verdict

The earlier Passat was a good car but now with a 170PS motor on the new Passat the earlier on looks underpowered. Innovative features like Attention Assist, Park assist, BlueMotion with Auto start/stop and Brake regeneration are all very new to the segment. Comfort levels are very good and so is the quality and fit finish. Quality of the plastics and other material used is flawless and of the best quality. The 2.0L Diesel unit is efficient as well making the new Passat a very formidable option in the segment. Prices start at Rs.20.80Lakhs for the Trendline and end at Rs. 25.65lakhs Ex showroom for the car we drove the Highline DSG Automatic.

VW Passat 2.0 DSG Automatic

Engines

Engine type 4 Cylinder Common Rail Diesel Engine

Displacement (cc) 1968

Max power output (PS [kW] @ rpm) 170 [125] @ 4200

Max torque Nm @ rpm 350 @ 1750-2500

Transmission 6speed Automatic DSG

Weight

Kerb weight (kg)* 1605

Gross vehicle weight (kg) 2210

Exterior dimensions

Length (mm) 4769

Width (mm) 1820

Height (mm) 1470

Wheelbase (mm) 2711

Track front, rear (mm) Fr-1546 , Rr-1545

Wheel rim size 7J X 16

Tyre size Parelli 215/55 R16

Turning radius (meters) 5.35

Minimum ground clearance (mm) 150

Luggage and fuel tank

Luggage compartment volume (lit) 565

Fuel tank capacity (lit) 70

Price Rs. 25.65lakhs (Exshowroom)