Test drive Volkswagen Passat B5 2000 - 2005 sedan

The wind in diamonds

The 2001 Volkswagen Passat premiere was held in the fall on the Paris Mondial de L'Automobile. Already in November, the new Passat appeared in St. Petersburg.
 
At the appointed hour we drive up to the meeting place. The car gives its presence from afar - the sun bunches flash on a new, more elongated radiator grille, on the chrome bumper overlays, on molding, and on the edging of the side glasses. The feeling is like a diamond necklace by car.
 
Continuing the fiery extravaganza, the long -range light of the new headlights lights up in greeting, they are waiting for us. Even in the daytime, the xenon beam cuts the eyes. By the way, on the new Passat both high and close light provide xenon bulbs, which, undoubtedly, will have to like night -driving lovers and just pijunas.
 
The car has changed and behind. Now, some of the wings are provided with lanterns. Red relief lenses are mounted in their body. One is completely given to the overall lights, the second - the braking signal. Under the white glass hide the rear lamp and the turning indicator.
 
Passat stands under pairs. If it was aggregated by a gasoline engine, we would probably not have noticed this. But here is a diesel engine, not to hear the characteristic chirping of which is impossible. However, the noise from him on the street is no more than from the cricket. And it’s not surprising, because this is a new generation motor. Its main difference is softer than on previous models, the process of combustion of fuel. The pump record system provides accurate preliminary injection; In addition, fuel efficiency and engine efficiency have significantly improved.
 
The test begins unconventional. Mindful that the car has become almost 3 cm longer, we decide to first ride in the back seat, since there is someone to hold onto the wheel, except us. As before, three people can accommodate behind Passat. But with complete comfort - only two, and any height and complexion. It becomes especially convenient when you pull out a wide armrest from the back of the seat, at the same time a small mess with cup holders.
 
By the way, sitting here, you can fully evaluate the operation of the car suspension. The fact is that the driver and his neighbor perfectly see the upcoming turn or an approaching obstacle and manage to psychologically prepare for the inclination or shake. For the rear passengers, due to a naturally limited review, any shock is a surprise, which means that the impressions of the chalk on the gallery can say more objectively.
 
It feels like Passat suspension has not changed. She is still enough. This does not mean that any, even the Lesser Malian pothole will make you clap your teeth, but a more smooth move would come for our roads. But the passage of turns during such operations of springs and shock absorbers is beyond praise. In the back seat does not storm even when stopping.
 
Having moved to the front seats, we put the suspension even a higher rating. By the way, something has changed here. Side support has improved. The new instrument shield is noteworthy. The chrome rims of the tachometer, speedometer, engine temperature sensors and fuel level in the tank give the entire torpedo sports charm. The shape and diameter of the steering wheel are optimal for viewing devices and for driving a car. In addition, the steering column is adjusted along the angle of inclination and along the distance to the driver.
 
As if for sports, a small scenes of a six -speed KP was created. Its moves are short, the inclusions of the programs are clear. Curious, Passat categorically refuses to go slowly. In traffic jams now and then you roll to the lower row of gears, while on other diesel engines you can drag on the third.
 
However, this should be expected. After all, the motor is equipped with a turbine, the peak of activity of which falls at 2000 revolutions and above. In general, slow riding on this car requires a driver of certain patience.
 
But having escaped to the operational scope, the car will give you incomparable pleasure. From a place to hundreds of kilometers per hour, Passat accelerates in less than 10 seconds. Agree, for a diesel, very good. Moreover, it does not require a lot of fuel - no more than 5.6 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km of run, for high -speed races. Our record during the test is 4.5 liters. It was such data on the instantaneous fuel consumption at a speed of 100 km/h that a route computer provided us, which equip almost all modern cars.
 
When accelerating in the car relatively quiet. A good sound insulation of the cabin and motor compartment affects. Although, of course, gasoline engines are less grumbling.
 
Here, the noise from the operation of the power unit at idle is 78 dB, and when moving - 74 dB. Otherwise, we did not find significant differences in the diesel Passat from gasoline modifications. Even the maximum speed of the car is brought to 208 kilometers per hour.
 
The difference was preserved except in prices. The previous version of VW Passat with almost the same power unit with a capacity of 110 hp. It cost $ 23,000 in the basic configuration, while gasoline was estimated at $ 21,000. However, diesel engines have always been somewhat more expensive than gasoline counterparts, such is a world practice.
 
As for the price of the new VW Passat, in the basic configuration, without additional equipment, it will be more expensive than the previous model by only $ 300-400. This will undoubtedly delight the connoisseurs of a folk car.
 
Technical characteristics of Volkswagen Passat Highline
 
Body - 4 -door O number of places, people. - 5 o total mass, kg - 1960 o dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 4703/1746/1462 O base, mm - 2703 o maximum speed, km/h - 208 O time of acceleration to 100 km/h, C - 9.9 O Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km: city cycle - 7.5; suburban - 4.6; mixed - 5.6 o engine - diesel, 4 -cylinder; working volume, cm3 - 1896; Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 130/4000; Twisting, NM at MIN -1 - 310/1900; Power system - direct injection O transmission - 6 -speed, mechanical O Wheel: front - multi -link; rear - torsionic brakes: front - disk, ventilated; Rear - disk ohille control - with a hydraulic wrap of price, $ - 27000.
 
Text: Oleg Kalaushin
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [12/2000]