Test drive Volkswagen Passat B6 2005 - 2010 sedan

We increase the diagonal

In Russia, Volkswagen is traditionally considered expensive and prestigious, and Opel, on the contrary, is accessible and unpretentious. Passat and vector at the barrier find out whose truth.


There is no money a lot
With an increase in the well -being of citizens, appetites are growing. Clothing becomes more expensive, the diagonal of the TV is rapidly increasing, a country house grows with a bath and a sauna. The car is also changing. If yesterday you could afford a European hatchback of a golf class, today there is enough money for a more expensive car than focus, Astra or Megan. What is we have on the list? Yeah, middle class sedans: solid externally, noticeable in the stream, representative in their classical third -designation. But if we dress at Brioni, we look at Sonya and sip a bluely label, then we need a respected sedan. Such as the Passat. Of course, not with a ridiculous engine of 1.6 liters, but a 2-liter and necessarily with a machine gun.
 

Alternative? Koreans? Fi, we are above that! Japanese and French sedans are a person who is looking at the Passat, to consider hardly in most cases such people are convinced of the superiority of German technology. Prestigious BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz fall into a completely different price niche to the label and plasma panels of Leva, we still have not grown. Only two options remain: Ford and Opel. But Mondeo is discontinued this year. But the 2.2-liter vector, last fall, underwent a cosmetic operation, the candidacy is suitable.
 

As for the appearance, as usual, we will not argue about tastes. Someone likes the heavyweight to become a passat, who is climbing out of the skin, so that at least a bit approaches the business class, its immodest amount of chromium and a powerful mouth of the radiator grille, obviously resembling expensive audi. The others are closer to the sharp, spectacular lines and clear faces of the vetera.
 



Loba attack
Perhaps there is no more inconvenient in the control of the climate control unit in any middle-class car. Imagine in order to change the direction of air flows in the Vectra salon, you need to enter the menu, choose the right direction and then also confirm your choice. Minus is serious, but by and large the only one. After all, otherwise the ergonomics of Opel is close to the ideal. Even the impulse turn signals today get used to it faster than before.

 
    
Perhaps at first glance it is not obvious, but the driver's chair of the vector is really a work of art. Take a word, and then the back will say thank you to you
 
   
Managing climate control through the substitution of the flight comprehensive comprehensive compliance is inconvenient

The original but not too convenient solution of the slider in the middle activates a couple of front or rear windows

From the number of adjustments of the driver's chair may be spinning

The gaps between the panels of the Vectra are more neat than in the Passat


It is gratifying that Vectra also makes a pleasant aesthetic impression. A 2.2-liter OPEL is delivered to Russia only in the top-comprehensive Eleans and Cosmo. The first is characterized by light sand and wooden inserts, the second pleases with sports leather-twater seats. Both are elegant, sweet and moderately exquisite.

 
    
The chairs look luxurious and good in business. The central suede inserts do not allow to slide along the pillow, and the leather edging gives the shock
 
   
To start the engine, you need to insert a keychain into the ignition lock and press. Undoubtedly, it looks spectacular, but is it so convenient in real life?

A spacious boxing box can be turned into a refrigerator. Benefit and solid volume allows, and cooling is provided

Another newfangled trouble instead of a traditional handbrake on the Passat an electronic parking brake, disconnected by the button on the left on the front panel

A convenient box in the left side of the torpedo is suitable for storing a mobile phone. But be careful: the tall driver this lid hurts on the leg


The interior of the Passat is striking in the pretense of luxury. Well, how can you not marvel at the abundance of chrome edging dials or immodest area of \u200b\u200bwooden inserts. However, having looked closely, you note the plastic of the lower part of the torpedo and door handles tough, like frozen asphalt. And how much, interestingly, it was possible to save on a penny plastic hub of the steering wheel, the rim of which is sheathed with genuine leather? Shine and poverty in one bottle. Yes, and the gaps between the upholstery of the doors and the torpedo in the passato are greater than in the vector. Inaccurate somehow ...




Only four persons
Driving chair Vectra Sample for imitation. Not only convenient and comfortable, but also competent from a medical point of view, it received a distinctive certificate from German doctors. As a result, a person of any height and complexion can get a job at the workplace. And the lack of fatigue is guaranteed even on long trips.


Volkswagen did not receive diplomas, but by and large it is no worse. Perhaps the range of adjustments of the chair is not so great, but a long pillow and developed lateral support reliably and carefully hold you in corners.

 
   
In the folded position of the head restraint, the vetera does not interfere with the review

The seeming huge back door of the passato can actually boast of a very modest pocket. The maximum that fits there is a bottle of soda

A folding armrest with a retractable cup holder turns the passata sofa into a semblance of a bar counter


Both in width and length on the back sofa, Volkswagen surpasses Opel, respectively +3 and +2.5 cm. But what's the point in such an advantage, if the sofa formed under two persons is obviously not happy with the third passenger. And four adults under a meter ninety will be sustained without problems in both sedans.
 

 
All sizes are given in centimeters. * The distance from the seat pillow to the ceiling. The space for the legs of the seated rear is indicated provided that the driver’s growth is 185 cm




Not a liter one
The trunk of a passato with a volume of 565 liters is not just the best result in the middle class, it is more than most of the luxury category cars. But the trouble, the traditional constitution of the classic sedan spoiled the impression of the record. Despite the champion liters, two large suitcases and one average are placed in the womb of Volkswagen. The result, of course, is good, but not outstanding. After all, the same norm on the shoulder many models of golf class, and the same vector is worse for exactly one average suitcase. The main problem of both in the limited possibilities of transporting overall objects. A narrow tunnel between the salon and the trunk, as well as the obvious disadvantages of the sedans folding the step of the sofa.

 
    
There is a lot of use a little. That is how the trunk of both sedans can be evaluated in a nutshell. A lot of small luggage will fit here, but if it arises
the need to translate a overall TV or chair, you will have to order a gazelle
 
 
The main advantage of the trunk of the Passat is at a greater height. It was due to this that two large and one average suitcases fit here

Vectra, on the other hand, could not take the grandmaster line just because of a limited height, but the diagonal of Opel is 2 cm larger
 
   
Blocking vetera (right) and the passata that two large -sized apartments are equally uncomfortable layout. Both have a separate folding back of the sofa, a hatch for skis, as well as pockets for small things on the sides
 
   
The sign of the passato emergency stop on the trunk lid. A first -aid kit under the seat
 
In the left pocket of the vector, a first -aid kit and a sign of emergency stop are stored
 



Entertaining arithmetic
By power, the 2-liter engine of the new passata will not yield to the turbo-fame of 1.8 liters of 150 liters withdrawn from the production of turbo-fame. With. The 4-speed automatic transmission was replaced by a more modern 6-speed automatic, but the car also added a good half-center in weight. On paper, the Passat is half a second faster than before, accelerates to hundreds, while its maximum speed fell to 208 km/h. In fact, the 2-liter FSI began to react to gas more thoughtfully. The impression was that the machine operates all the time in a soft winter mode so slowly begins to accelerate and transfers moves.

 
    
The vector motor is only five horses more powerful than the passat engine. But on the highway, Volkswagen has no arguments against Opel
 


According to the passport, the 2.2-liter 155-horsepower vector is inferior to Volkswagen 0.3 seconds when accelerating to hundreds. That's just a traffic light duel time after time remained with Opel. And this despite even a less refined 5-speed automatic. On the Vectra highway also seemed more elastic and receiving.

 



Different character
But in terms of controllability, the vector liked less. What is not surprising: the role of a lighter in the gamut of the Vectra models is given to the GTS hatchback with a reduced sports suspension. The sedan is more comfortable and, alas, more rascal in marginal regimes. Say, behind a mark of 140 km/h, the suspension can no longer cope with the irregularities of the road and the body floats, as in the waves. But the slurred steering wheel is most annoyed. Recently, engineers from Ruselsheim reduced the gear ratio of the steering rack, making the steering wheel more than 2.6 turns from the stop to the stop. But why all this, if the electric power steering completely deprives the driver of the joy of feedback? It can only be guessed about where the wheels are in a quick turn.
 

The Passat, on the contrary, is decisive, assembled and grades. The suspension in the root stops the buildup, and the steering wheel will be poured with reactive effort and absolutely true. Eh, such a chassis, but the motor is more fun ...
 



Not the highest league yet
At idle speeds, a muffled rodge of engines is quite obvious, both in the Vectra and Passat salon. And at speed, the first violin in the noise accompaniment of German sedans perform studded tires that successfully drown out all other sounds, including aerodynamic noises.

But singing Shipovki is not a problem, but a given winter period. But in comparison with any hatchback, the golf class and vector, and the Passat win in much more effective sound insulation of the rear arches acoustic comfort on the couch is very high.
 

As for the smoothness of the stroke, the trump cards are preferable. Opel is more comfortable on a tram paving stones, swallows large potholes almost painlessly and very gallantly presses for bedroom policemen.
 

Passat’s suspension is comfortable in most situations. But more carefully on potholes. Here she can work on a breakdown.




As good as it gets
In the Euroncap security rating, Volkswagen divided into five, and its basic equipment includes all conceivable protective equipment. There are 6 pillows, and a whole cascade of electronic insurers, including ABS, ESP and even a locking of inter -long differential on a slippery road.

 
   
Active head restraints, which are included in the basic equipment of both the Passat and Vectors, work unnoticed by the eye, but their role in protecting the driver and passengers is difficult to overestimate

Thanks to the inflatable curtains installed in the base, the Passat received the maximum rating for the side blow


According to Euroncap Opel, only a strong middle peasant 30 points and four stars. Yes, and the basic equipment of Essenshia (only for engines of 1.6 and 1.8 liters) is poorer than the Passat for a dynamic stabilization system (ESP). However, six Air Bags and ABS leave us no choice for the four vetera for safety add a significant plus.




Beyond
The basic 2-liter Passat with the automatic transmission costs $ 30,576. Moreover, by the way, than Toyota-Kamri from a real business class. But buyers prefer not the basic, albeit very well -equipped version of Trendoline, but more glamorous and expensive highlain. It has already spelled out a wooden finish, and leather-zamshevo seats, and climate control, and a light alloy, and much more. However, the pleasure is $ 33,753. However! Having reached the Passat so necessary for a large sedan by a parking sensors and painting it with a metallic, we are on the verge of 35 thousand! Here you are, grandmother, and the middle class ...
 

The 2.2-liter vector-sedan is proposed performed by Eleans ($ 28 190) and Cosmo ($ 29,290). The latter is richer not only on a combined leather-tone salon, but also in climatic climate, alloy wheels and rear electric windows. Add metallic and parking sensors and get $ 30 090. Five thousand is cheaper than the passat.

 
    
We decided:

The main result of the confrontation of the two German sedans is the absence of the winner. Yes, the Passat (, the average rating is 4.0), perhaps, more than ever approached business class models. According to the external statue and luxurious decoration of the cabin in any case. But in such important details as sound insulation, the Passat still does not go to the ideal. Yes, Volkswagen is wonderful and presentable, he has noble road manners and a huge trunk. But a thoughtful engine/gearbox tandem can hardly be called an ideal pair. And most importantly, in pursuit of business class, Volkswagen went too far. At the price of the sedan from Wolfsburg, he came close to the Saabu-9-5 and Volvo-S80! And we are just about a 2-liter sedan. It’s even scary to imagine how much the buyer will cost the Passat with the V6 3.2 L motor, which is about to appear on sale ...
 

Vectra (the average rating of 4.0) does not try to hit the buyer with the amount of wood and chromium, but in fact offers almost the same (if no more generous) set of goods: spacious interior, high safety, comfortable suspension and optimal engine. The only trouble is that the vector, although cheaper than an insanely expensive Passat, is nevertheless more expensive than almost all other competitors. At the same time, in the eyes of buyers, it does not look as prestigious as the Passat, there is no sports charm of Mazda-6 in it, there is no futurism examples and the noble sophistication of Ansis. And just a good car without a highlight and a symbol of prestige on the radiator grille is interesting for a few.
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [04/2006]