Volkswagen's Passat might be nearing the end of its current life, but new technology keeps it clean and efficient, writes PADDY COMYN
IT IS easy, especially when it comes to car reviews, to concentrate on the newest car to the market. Car firms give us new releases with clockwork reliability these days and suddenly you are no longer driving the current model, but rather, the old one, the old technology.
Volkswagen’s Passat seems like it has been around for quite a while, and while it is true that it is indeed nearing the end of its natural life cycle, that hasn’t waned its popularity much.
Despite there being new models of the Avensis and a new Opel Insignia on the market, the Passat remains a strong seller. Irish buyers like it for several reasons. One, it is a saloon, not a hatchback. Two, it feels well built, with a high quality fit and finish to the exterior and interior. Three, it is a Volkswagen which means a lot in Ireland. The brand has a great image and this does a lot to keep the residuals strong – important for the private buyer.
The diesel Passat has taken over from the lowly 1.6-litre petrol as the best-selling model as the years have gone by and with emissions more important than ever, Volkswagen has taken an environmental magic wand to its big-selling saloon.
Enter the Passat BlueMotion. BlueMotion is the name for fuel-efficient models from the Volkswagen Group and, like Mercedes-Benz, VW has chosen blue, rather than green, as its symbol for fuel efficiency and care for the environment.
In a bid to make the car more fuel efficient, VW has lowered the ride height of the car by 15mm and there have been subtle changes to the front to make it more aerodynamic. This has the effect of reducing drag by 12 per cent and the car has been given longer gearing, more economical tyres and an indicator on the dash that lets you know when you should change gear.
This being the second version of the Passat BlueMotion, there is some new technology on show. It features a stop/start system linked to a new 2-litre 110bhp common rail diesel engine which replaces the 1.9-litre TDI 105bhp unit injector engine.
This new engine gets new electronic mapping to reduce the idle speed and optimise the engine for economy. There have also been revisions to the five-speed manual gearbox to reduce loading on the engine and improve efficiency. Stop/Start technology is not new, and we have seen it in many models now from various brands.
This system operates via the clutch. When you come to a stop at traffic lights, the driver depresses the clutch and selects neutral. When the clutch is released, the engine shuts down and a “Stop/start” symbol illuminates on the display.
In order to move off, you press the clutch again and the engine restarts automatically. This system can be turned off if required.
In our test car, this system didn’t appear to always work through the initial kilometres of a journey and if the air conditioning was on full blast. We have found this to be the case with many other stop/start systems, with the exception of the BMW stop/start, which seems to just work every time.
The new engine is a definite improvement; the previous BlueMotion model featured the rather anaemic 105bhp 1.9-litre diesel and this only really offered adequate performance.
The new engine is much better and while on paper there isn’t that dramatic an improvement in things like the 0-100km/h time – which is less than a second faster – there is an improvement in torque and the Passat always feels strong and urgent.
Anyone familiar with the Passat and even those new to the model will appreciate its solidity, the assured feel to the steering and the sharp, responsive brakes. The Passat has good handling. It might not feel as overtly sporty as the Insignia or Mondeo but it is composed and competent on a winding road.
It is the space that makes the Passat, in part, feel so luxurious on the inside. It is simply enormous. There is generous space for the front two and, in the rear, legroom is generous and the boot, at 513 litres, is vast.
Our model was the Highline version and that means it gets electronic climate control, cruise control, full Nappa leather seats which are heated and electric and there is a fair smattering of chrome on the side and rear that gives the car a very luxurious feel.
For similar money (€28,320) you can have an Avensis 2-litre D-4D Strata with more horsepower and the same tax band.
Ford will sell you a low emission 1.8 TDCi Econetic model with 125bhp, again in tax band B and with similar performance levels, for €29,320.
Citroën has the excellent C5 1.6 HDi Dynamique which, at €29,995, offers Band B tax incentives and generous levels of standard equipment.
Or you could have the Opel Insignia with 130bhp and Band C emissions in SC spec for €29,695.
While many of these models are newer and, in many cases, arguably better, we still see the relevance of the Passat in its present guise and these new eco measures strengthen its case.
There is no firm word yet on when the next Passat will arrive, but Volkswagen models tend to have much longer life cycles than other brands and, while there have been spy shots of mule cars, the new Passat is not expected to debut until late 2011. So, with a replacement not quite imminent, there is still life in Passat for now.
Factfile
Engine: four-cylinder, 110bhp, 1,968cc diesel engine putting out 110bhp @ 4,100rpm and 250 Nm @ 1,750rpm
Specification: standard equipment includes 16" Adelaide alloy wheels, Nappa leather, three-spoke steering wheel, Climatronic two-zone air conditioning, electric six-way driver seat, Burr-walnut dash inlays, chrome protective strips, side and rear, onboard computer, electric windows front and rear, press and drive key, ABS, EBD, ESP includes EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (Traction Control) and Countersteer Support
L/100km (mpg): urban – 6.3 (44.8); extra-urban – 4.1 (68.8); combined – 4.9 (57.6)
CO2 emissions: 128g/km
Tax: VRT – 16 per cent; motor tax – €156
Price:€31,897
Correction: In last week's twin test between the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, we said that ESP was standard on the Volkswagen Golf. It is in fact not standard equipment, but is a €780 option. Also in the comparison table, the price of the Peugeot 308 HDI should have been €21,492