Test drive Volkswagen Passat B5 2000 - 2005 sedan

Higher Society

A tightly knocked down body with aggressive contours, low-profile tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, four chrome muzzles of the release system ... Looking at the most expensive and perfect Passat, it is difficult to believe that the same company produced the sympathy of bugs and cute rabbits (so They called the first golf in the USA). There is no doubt - the current Volkswagen, although it remained a folk brand, has already climbed the automobile Olympus. Such a model as the Passat W8 can be safely put on a par with the elite: BMW, Mercedes, Audi.
 
A thunderstorm of authorities?
Even more prestigious, even more solid - under such a motto there is an evolution of the Passat. Substampovki on the wings became voluminous and expressive, the company's emblems increased. Metalized moldings, glass edges, radiator grille sparkle spectacularly shine. There are parking sensors on the rear bumper, bixenon headlights, avant -garde design combined lanterns. Everything is like the very. And so that, when examined, there is no doubt that you have the most charged version with the arch -sized engine and all -wheel drive, the dummy pipe and voluminous W8 and 4 Motion nameplate are provided on the trunk lid.
 
I open the hood - it is not tolerated to see a unique subcompact eight (details in ZR, 2001, No. 6). What is it, a power unit with four rows of cylinders? Alas, the plastic cover completely closes the engine. In addition to the orange head of the oil probe, not a single part is visible. Only the steel shine fixed on the cover of the W8 emblem confirms - the promised miracle of technology there, in the depths. Later, the original engine, and even in the context, managed to see at the stand. The cunning structure is impressive! Oh, it was not without reason that Japanese journalists fussed and snapped with shutters of cameras. It is difficult to surprise them with technical delights, but here is genuine interest.
 
Volkswagen salon is traditionally spacious: conveniently both in front and behind. The wide range of adjustments of the seats and the steering column, of course, is preserved. The main difference between the top models in wealth, luxury, abundance of configuration options - it is necessary to give a light competitors. I note that it succeeded. There is a complete gentleman's set: wooden inserts and steering wheel, rosarot chairs with combined leather upholstery and alcantara, fashionable aluminum rims of dashcams, chrome door handles and a lining of gearboxes, climate control, equipped with a colored display audio system, combined with a navigation. But the most interesting thing is in another. What a sin to hide, often the salons of German cars look luxurious, but too strict. But the Passat packaged to the maximum can no longer be called an office on wheels. It was worth diluting the abundance of black color with a light beige gamut in the Scandinavian style, as in the cabin it became homely comfortable.
 
Almost an athlete, but still ...
So, there are no complaints about the appearance and interior. It remains to find out what the car is on the go. In general - good. From the very first meters, the Passat W8 makes it clear that he is a predator, not a herbivore. The start is frisky, intensively acceleration, the maximum speed is far beyond two hundred. This shell is able to deliver a sea of \u200b\u200bpleasure to an active driver. If the owner of the people's brand is seriously excited, few will be able to compete with him seriously. The 275 horsepower attached to four wheels is a significant argument in the dispute who is faster. Supporting low -profile tires with a dimension of 225/45R17. They tenaciously keep the road at high speeds. Short -flowing sports pendants are also tuned to a dynamic ride. The car is almost not fired in the protracted turns of the autobahn, it does not swing on the gentle waves of the road surface, dashingly copes with sufficiently steep turns. And only on complex borders of the winding mountain serpentine, the Passat sometimes gives slack - roll and mournful squeaks. Think, they say, I'm still a civilian car, not a racing car. A little earlier, the station wagon asks for mercy - the sedan has a larger supply. It is not much more mobile, but more mobile and easier to manage - a smaller mass, the best weightlifting, the nuances in the work of an all -wheel drive transmission are affected.
 
When the desire to drive disappears, the predator can be affectionate and fluffy. When moving in a calm rhythm, hard suspensions are quite comfortable both on even asphalt and on a not very broken lane. In the salon, silence is an excellent sound insulation. According to this parameter, Volkswagen, perhaps, will give odds to the prestigious Audi A6 with a three -liter gasoline engine, and both close relatives - they are made by one concern. With a pronounced sports style, the Passat W8 does not annoy the roar of the engine and the release system. The motor allows you to know about its work with a barely audible rumbling. And only when the arrow of the tachometer will exceed 5000 rpm, does the unobtrusive voice act appearing that appears the hearing of a fervent driver. In general, the main feature of the ugly power unit is the complete absence of features. And that’s right - the consumer can know about constructive delights, but should not be burdened with them. Otherwise, the price is worthless to such innovations. So, the motor is powerful, tracted (which, in general, the norm for a four-liter eight) easily spins to 6000 rpm. The reckoning for a pleasant engine in all respects is its appetite. According to the manufacturer: 9.5 l/100 km on the highway and 19.4 l/100 km in the conditional city cycle. Looking at the level of fuel level, I was convinced that these numbers can be trusted.
 
Another remark. Four leading wheels are given to the Passat for better realization of the potential of the engine, good controllability, high active safety in difficult road conditions, etc. As for cross -country ability, this is not necessary to wait for miracles from the asphalt all -wheel drive. A small fossa on a canopy gravel rising - and the car freezes helplessly. The suspension of one of the rear wheels is completely selected, the result is diagonal hanging, in which electronic locks were powerless.
 
A solid appearance, a chic salon, a powerful engine, good running qualities - Volkswagen managed to create a gourmet car. I think those buyers who can afford cars from high society will certainly pay attention to the newcomer - Passat W8.
Updated in 2000, the Volkswagen Passat family this summer was replenished with W8 modification. The sedan and the station wagon are equipped with a gasoline four-liter W-shaped eight with a capacity of 202 kW/ 275 liters. With. The transmission - all -wheel drive, gearboxes - mechanical six -speed or automatic five -speed.
 
Text / Vadim Kryuchkov
Photo / Vadim Kryuchkov and Volkswagen company
   
 

 

Source: The magazine "Driving"