Test drive Volkswagen Passat B6 2005 - 2010 sedan

Above the head

I met VW Passat for a long time, it was B5 of one of the first issues. Later I got updated B5, then it was replaced by B6. All the more interesting it was to test the most expensive and technically advanced Passat in Variant.

 
The reasons for the popularity of VW Passat in our market are obvious a balanced set of consumer properties, pleasant appearance, adequate prices. In the segment D, it is difficult to find a more worthy offer with a motor volume of about 2 liters. But Passat, taken by us for a test, from another opera. This is a top model in the line, and the price tag for it is not at all a humane figure close to $ 60,000. This is at least $ 15,000 more than a front-wheel drive station wagon with a 2.0 FSI engine and $ 10,000 of the same machine with a 2-liter turbo engine. Is it worth it to overpay for the v6 and 4Motion nameplate?
 
Inside the top version is practically no different from the usual Passat. The same convenient seats with upholstery from Alcantara (in the Highline), the same doors and tidy decoration. From the differences in the letter DSG on the gearbox lever. This box is installed only on cars with V6 gasoline or 2-liter turbodiesel. I adjust the chair and steering wheel for myself. The adjustments ranges are huge, even the highest driver will receive an optimal landing. True, it is quite high in any case. Someone likes this, someone does not, but it is undoubted that the visibility is improving, and the parameter called to feel the machine, on the contrary.
 
The motor starts with the usual pressing of the key-sides. Only V-shaped sixes have such a voice with a dense grunt. I immediately note two features. The first test car is removed from the electronic handbrake smoother than versions with less powerful engines and Tiptronic automatic machines. The second interesting behavior of the tachometer arrow during switching: it does not fall smoothly to a certain mark, but reaches it with a jump. This is the merit of Superbustration DSG, because by the time of switching a smart checkpoint is already holding the desired step.
 
Let's try to accelerate more. Gas to the floor, and nothing extraordinary happens. Yes, the car is gaining speed quite quickly, but nothing more. Yes, the change of gears is fast and almost invisible, but the difference with Tiptronic is not so great. We transfer the DSG selector to the S. position became more fun, the car seemed to wake up, the turnover in each gear rises higher. Switching is still fast, but now noticeable, and the stronger you press on the accelerator, the more noticeable they are. Passat understands that since the pedal is squeezed to the rug, then it is no longer to smooth. Confident, dense acceleration begins from the mark a little more than 2000 revolutions.
 
Of course, Passat is so confidently accelerated thanks to the branded 4Motion all -wheel drive system. The wheels do not slip even with the stabilization system disconnected. And on front -wheel drive machines when accelerating to the floor on the dashboard, the ESP light manages to fit. In corners, the drive into four wheels allows you to develop a high speed, and, again, the electronics interferes less often. But, in general, the habits of the junior versions are preserved for example, at the entrance to the turn, all the same insufficient rotation is manifested, and no forms are able to maintain a heavier front. When you are turning to the limit, the steering wheel is poured with pleasant weight. The leather three -spoke bagel is ideal in size, cross -section, shape and friction properties. The disadvantage of front -wheel drive models is not quite clear zero on high -speed lines here is minimized. Therefore, leading this Variant at speeds at 200 km/h is a great pleasure. The power of the motor is enough for decent accelerations and after hundreds, the reaction to the deviation of the steering wheel is fast and accurate, the level of noise can be talked without raising the voices.
 
The suspension is a little upset. The advantages of the top version that so strongly raise the cost of Passat, the V6 engine, the 4x4 system, the DSG machine, the Variant body gives rise to a large drawback in the form of weight gain. And, most likely, it is here that the cause of some kind of suspension is sophisticated. Rolling on the waves at high speed, blows on seemingly uneven irregularities, increased body rolls, all this seems to be the consequences of weighting. However, Passat Variant is still controlled better and more understandable than many classmates. And the 3.2-liter version is also very fast. 250 horses are helped on straight lines, in turning all -wheel drive. In addition, he is not so sensitive to the load. You can put four passengers in the car, fill the luggage trunk, fixing it using special equipment for (a very useful option in the trunk of a powerful car must be fixed), and the dynamics will remain almost unchanged.
 
Any car is good with an adequate price tag. And Passat is good, but for $ 30,000-40000 with 2-liter engines. And with a price of $ 60,000, the model invades the territory of manufacturers with a higher status: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz. Although, on the other hand, in order to buy a similar machine of a more prestigious brand, without exceeding the specified price limit, you will have to sacrifice over all -wheel drive or cut off the litting.

 
Prices and configuration

VW Passat Variant is offered with 1.6 liter engines, 1.6 l FSI, 2.0 l FSI, 2.0 l of TFSI, 3.2 l FSI, 1.9 l of TDI and 2.0 l of TDI. For models with gasoline 2 liters of engines and with 1.6 l FSI, a 6-speed manual transmission and TipTronic automaton are offered. For 2 l of a turbodiesel, DSG installation is possible. On Passat with V6, only DSG is placed. For 1.9 liters of TDI and 1.6 liters, the gasoline engine is only old mechanics with five gears. A 4Motion all -wheel drive is possible in combination with gasoline and diesel 2 liters with mechanics, as well as with V6. Passat is sold in four initial trim levels Trendline, Comfortline, Sportline and Highline. Variant prices start from the $ 27444 mark, so much is the 1.6 Trendline modification with manual transmission. Variant 3.2 DSG 4Motion Highline is asked from $ 53361.
 
Dmitry Krotov
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Source: Motor magazine [July 2007]