Test drive Volkswagen Passat B5 1996 - 2000 sedan

Three sisters

One is looking for fans in the highest circles, the other is successful with the commercial people, and the third fell in love with Lyuda to the heterogeneous. They are so similar and so different. They are called Audi A6 Avant, Volkswagen Passat Variant, Skoda Octavia Combi.
On the railways of Germany, commodity wagons with proud inscriptions on board run: wir fahren fu..r vw und Audi, we ride for Volkswagen and Audi. The German railway workers had noticed for eight years how to get a stencil, paints and supplement the list of customers in the name of Skoda.
Exactly. Under the paternal roof of the Volkswagen Group concern, as many as three sisters of distant relatives like Seat or Bugatti do not count. And well, one would be fond of music, the other with painting, and the third theater, so there is no groom for everyone, and even from among, as they said in a scoop, motorists.
Jokes jokes, but in fact. Nokia divisions, say, produce tires, phones, electronic scoreboard and a number of other products of a wide range. Caterpillar nomenclature includes bulldozers and boots. Volkswagen Group produces cars of three brands. Not dump trucks and motorcycles, but machines, including the middle class, even like each other. Is the competition within one economy the key to the success of the same capitalist system?
Do not be lazy and look into the catalog. Passat, Octavia and A6 can be equipped with the same turbocharged engine of 1.8 liters and a capacity of one and a half hundred horses. With the conditional similarity of the design of the bodies, dimensions and the amount of minced meat in each of the three machines, it is possible to assume that by and large the question is only in the name, label, nameplate on the stern. As the ecumenists say, God alone, just has different names: Christ, Allah or Buddha. Someone prays for Audi, someone believes in Passat, someone, like a penny church candle, scrape only on Octavia, and grace will be reduced at all.
Of course, everything is not so simple. And the man who gave for the Audi the amount almost three times more than his brother laid out by the blood for Octavia, probably fork out not only in the loud name.
To make sure of this again, we took three cars of one concern at once. And mindful of the wagons with which this text began, they decided: let it also be a small composition that came out of the Volkswagen Group depot.
   
Sisters-mistresses. Needless to say, the main advantage of the station wagon is its part that is located behind the backs of the front seats. It is difficult to come up with something new here. Another thing is how to implement.
The car is not a horse, we will go to it from behind. The cargo -passenger part of the Octavia is arranged according to the traditional scheme: divided in the ratio of approximately 40:60 pillows and backs of the rear seats. The pillows rise vertically, and the backs, respectively, are laid horizontally, forming an impressive hall in size. The procedure is simple, however, the headrests that have to be extracted are caused by a certain inconvenience, otherwise the backs will not fall into place. In Passat, the situation is similar.
A pleasant surprise was the presence of a Skoda mesh in the set, which fences off the luggage compartment from the passenger zone and is designed not to allow bags and suitcases to sit on your head. In Passat, by the way, such a grid refers to additional accessories. And she overwhelmed everyone, of course, Audi: in it the curtain and the net are combined in one removable block and are part of the standard equipment. Moreover, this grid can be attached in both versions: both with folded and with the decomposed rear seats.
Cheshka had a funny flaw. With a sufficiently sufficient length of the bedroom, only yogi can try to spend the night in it. To increase the luggage compartment capacity, Octavia designers lowered the floor level in the luggage compartment, and its surface was lower than the folded seats. In this regard, Passat is beyond any criticism, and Audi just deserves all praise. Not only is the seats folding the headlines seizure, which you do not know where to shove, also the profile of the site turns out as if with an ascent in the direction where there should be a head. This is all the more surprising, since the alleged owner of Audi is unlikely to use the salon for the bedroom if he had enough money to buy such a car, enough for a hotel!
It is interesting that the decent difference in the length of the base (in Octavia it is more shorter than that of the sisters) practically does not affect the size of the luggage compartment. Only passengers in the rear seat can only feel it, for which the legs remains noticeably smaller than in Audi and Volkswagen.
In terms of the volume of the cargo -passenger zone, the leader is Passat. 1600 cubic meters. DM against 1590 in Audi and 1512 for Octavia. Although Audi wins 1884 mm along the length of this zone. Returning to the idea of \u200b\u200bits non -trivial use, we note that all three machines do not provide for the possibility of opening the rear door from the inside. Yes, this is not America to the ideas of a sleeping car are alien to both German and Czech designers.
   
In the room. So, they figured out the luggage compartment. And if you are not a suitcase with shirts, you will most likely go while driving.
The design of the dashboard and the devices on it in all three machines are almost the same. Audi, in addition to the traditional tachometer, a speedometer with an electronic odometer display, engine temperature indicators and fuel supply, the turning watches were added to the lower part of the tachometer dial, as well as the batteries and oil temperatures in the right and left angles of the dashboard. The testimony of the tripometer is displayed by the tripometer.
In the design of the interior, the organization of the driver’s place and governing bodies, family life is also clearly traced. But if, in terms of saturation of the standard configuration, Octavia is very close to Passat, then Audi goes up from them with a decent margin. The standard equipment includes a central lock for all doors with remote control, immobilizer, climate control with an outdoor filter and separate temperature control for the driver and passenger. A full electric package with heated outer mirrors, steering column adjusted in two planes, steering hydraulic power steering, an electric drive adjusting the seat in height, heating the front seats with smooth adjustment. In addition, the proprietary audio system Audi Chorus and four airbags, front and lateral, and all safety belts have a pretense system and are regulated in height. As well as many other necessary and useful little things.
Passat, in general, can’t be called poor either. Of the above, only rear windows are non -electrified, there is no remote control of the lock and there is no audio system. For her, there is a radio training, which includes an active antenna and eight speakers. Two frontal airbags. The same as in Avant, the abundance of all kinds of pockets and boxes for small things. And in the glove compartment there is a pleasant surprise that has served a good service during the filming of the car in a 30-degree heat. Cold air from the air conditioner is excreted through a small nozzle and cools the drinks remarkably. Checked. Acts.
Against this background, the basic Octavia is similar to a stepdaughter. Although a pillow of safety, belts with pretense, hydraulic power, an electricrope, double -7ous steering wheel adjustment, as well as vertical seats, all this is present. The point is that for moderate money the necessary minimum is proposed. And all other pleasures, including climate control, leather salon, etc., can only be ordered for an additional fee.
The quality of the finish in all machines is very high. Against this background, Octavia looks the simplest, her role in this company is so modest and tasteful. A strict, elegant and stylish-to-graceful environment is Audi. Business, a little heavy, solid interior is Passat.
The power of feelings. The range of engines proposed for each of the three sisters contains an unambiguous hint of a specific hierarchy.
For front -wheel drive Audi A6 Avant there are only five, but which ones! The simplest of them is a turbocharged gasoline engine with a volume of 1.8 liters with a capacity of 150 hp, then there are two six and 2.8 liters of 165 and 193 hp. respectively. Either a five -speed mechanical transmission or a five -speed automatic with manual Tiptronic mode is attached to these engines. For more economical people, a four-cylinder 1.9-liter turbodiesel with direct injection and intercooler, a 5-speed or automatic 4-speed checkpoint is provided. And for economical athletes there is a V-shaped six, where 2.5 liters of volume are issued 150 hp. With a torque of 310 nm in the range from 1,500 to 3200 rpm. The dynamics of the supposedly stupid diesel speaks for itself: acceleration to hundreds of 9.9 seconds. This is the only one of all engines, component by a 6-speed mechanical transmission. That's all. It seems that the choice is small, but the matter here is a certain plank in a completely different one, below which the Audi A6 does not fall. And there is some snobbery in this if you, Herr, Mister, Sir, choose Audi A6, even a barn, then be ready to play according to certain rules.
Passat is focused on the consumer with average income. And there are more. Hence, apparently, a wider selection: seven options for power plants. The concept of possible combinations is similar, except that a little more democratic. 101-horsepower 1.6-liter and 125-horsepower 1.8-liter engines are equipped with either a 5-speed mechanical or 4-speed automatic checkpoint. More powerful motors, a 150-horsepower of 1.8 liters with a turbocharged, 5-cylinder VR5 with a volume of 2.3 liters of similar power, as well as a V-shaped 193-horsepower six of 2.8 liters, may have either 5-speed mechanics, or 5-speed Tiptronic. For two four -cylinder turbodiesel, the same in volume of 1.9 liters, but of different capacities 90 and 110 hp. Accordingly, only a 5-speed mechanics and an ordinary 4-speed automatic are provided.
If you look closely, it turns out that, regardless of the logo on the valve mechanism cover, at least three of the possible engines possible for each of these two brands are absolutely similar: 1.8 with turbocharged, six and 110-horsepower diesel. Long live capitalist integration! You will not find a Passat with a six-cylinder turbodiesel or a 2.4-liter six, which is a very fresh Audi development, as well as you can’t find Audi A6 with a simple 1.8 liter gasoline engine, a five-cylinder or 90-horsepower turbodiesel. It would seem, what is interfering if others are used. But no, it is necessary to somehow distinguish between your niches in the market.
Skoda is a little easier. With the accession to the Volkswagen Group, the Czech auto enterprise, obviously, assumed the task of closing the sector of inexpensive, but high -quality folk cars. Nevertheless, the choice of engines is quite rich. For Octavia Combi, three gasoline engines are possible similar to those equipped with Passat. This is a 1.6-liter and two 1.8-liter, one of which is with turbocharged. Plus two 1.9-liter Volkswagen turbodiesel and one atmospheric with a capacity of 68 hp, which are neither Passat nor even more Audi A6 are equipped. An ordinary automatic 4-speed transmission is possible so far only for gasoline engines.
It turns out that for less money you can purchase a car with the same engine that it is more expensive. And on the service, pay for servicing the same motor the lower cost of a norm-hour. Only this car will still be a different brand.
   
 
Visorins. You can talk about design, decoration and configuration for a long time, but the character of the machine primarily determines its running qualities. We will not lie that we happened to experience all two dozen of the sets of three sisters, but we tested the most popular of them in business.
Audi A6 Avant with a 2.4 engine and a Tiptronic box has a clearly sports temperament. At the same time, the speed set is so smooth that you don’t even immediately notice how quickly and actively accelerate. This is largely facilitated by excellent sound insulation and a very quiet, balanced motor. The machine reacts impeccably to the steering wheel, as if it is maneuverages and is amazingly stable on the road. The anti -operating system sensitively controls the operation of gas and does not allow excessive overloads. Electronic ABS with a system of distribution of brake force provides a quick, even and effective slowdown. Easy control, complete predictability plus high comfort of the salon, which is still required of a car that the language does not even turn to call the barn. But there is still a six with a power of almost two hundred horses!
Passat looks like it for many. Especially when the same turbocharged engines with a volume of 1.8 liters rumble under the hoods of cars. The turbine works very softly. The high torque is achieved at revolutions below 2000 and is maintained at the same level in a very wide range. As a result, the car is extremely elastic in various modes within the same gear. Passat is equipped with the same as the Audi, electronic differential lock and an electronic system for the distribution of brake forces. It has no worse controllability and course stability, steep turns are carefully passing. The excellent suspension, and even besides with a Russian package, is remarkably filtered by the road, and small irregularities are generally indistinguishable. Nevertheless, Passat left the impression of a car in which comfort and safety are more important than the ability to especially active driving. But it should be so, because this is Variant, and they have their own concepts about how to move.
Octavia with the same turbocharged engine in dynamics is in no way inferior to older sisters. But it is worth equipping Czech with a power unit with a volume of 1.6 liters, as the picture changes sharply. The car is quite a frisky at the start, but after 100 km/h it becomes thoughtful. Apparently, the ratio of the weight and power of the engine affects. And the brakes were completely upset: the pedal is too sluggish, and with sharp braking at high speed, slowing down occurs somehow unobviously. Probably, in versions with disk rear brakes, this moment will be better, here alas. Negative impressions were partly compensated by the maneuverability and quality of the suspension. For a station wagon with an elongated rear overhang, Octavia fits well into steep turns and passes the snakes almost without the back of such vehicles backwards. The suspension is tough, but not to the extent as to cause discomfort. And if you abstract from the impressions received from landing in Passat, and even more so in A6, it is clear that for its niche Octavia is a worthy machine.
For giving way. The iron of the Moscow asphalt, stuffing a all kinds of belongings into the trunk, clicking the shutter of the camera and folding, reading the cataire, we did not set ourselves the task of finding out: it was for nothing that marketers from Volkswagen Group eat their bread. Of course, not without reason. Otherwise, how do they manage to keep not one, but three beauties at once? The youngest, in the good sense of the word, is available. But, alas, an unlucky. The elder has a lot of fees, but most of her father’s inheritance got it. And the average she is therefore average, which is only equal to her. It’s not for us to judge, but to the one who comes to get married.
 
Text Andrey Timofeev, Dmitry Gronsky, photo Maxim Gudko
 

Source: "Autopilot"