Test drive Volkswagen Passat B6 2005 - 2010 sedan

The wind of change

Volkswagen Passat refers to those cars whose history and biography of which an ordinary motorist knows better than his own. When you mention in the conversation that you are traveling on the Passat, you rarely collide with a full profane who does not know what kind of car it is?!
Most likely, the interlocutor will begin to clarify: what generation? What kind of body? And, of course: what is the motor? We took Passat with the most popular type of engine of one and eight turbo, but in the modern, 160-horsepower 1.8 TSI, which appeared relatively recently.
Regarding this at the end of last year, which became unconditionally historical for the German brand in Russia. This journalistic stamp most accurately means the fact of the opening of Volkswagen under Kaluga. Passat 1.8 TSI is now produced (or rather, assembled) on the Central Russian Upland, thereby making the car more accessible to Russian buyers compared to the German counterpart.
We got a German sample (which Kaluga should not differ). Everything is familiar: a recognizable strict silhouette, a chubby line of the body, small headlights with a pulled century.
The interior is also made in typically Volkswagen design. The front panel is in two floors: above only a black visor visor and blowing deflectors. Below are dials with red arrows in oblique wells. The level, of course, is not premium (for comparison, sit at least behind the wheel of a relative Passat of the new Audi A4), but quite worthy. The sparkling lever of the machine, with its numerous modes, well-read buttons on the steering wheel and the hands of the climate control, the main thing is that Passat is made for the convenience of a person, and the longer you are driving, the stronger you understand this!
But this does not attract our attention. The main motor 1.8 TSI, which replaces the 2.0-liter FSI. Perhaps the only drawback of the latter could be considered acute dependence on the quality of the fuel. True, Passat with such an engine also reproached with a sluggish character, but this indicator is already subjective. Although yes: acceleration of 160-horsepower 1.8 is impressive much more.
We have already evaluated the same motor a month earlier on the test of the already mentioned A4 (see N 127 April 2008). Then he made not such a strong impression: apparently, because the A-fourth has rolled out many other advantages (design, interesting solutions in the cabin, Audi Drive Select system). Here we could focus on the main new engine.
Frankly, in the usual Passat mode, it seems somewhat impersonal. Yes, acceleration is still good, and a high torque of 250 nm is already at 1,500 rpm allows you to rapidly dial the desired speed. But switching to increased gears occurs a little earlier than we would like. In the city crowd, nothing more is needed, but outside the city you have to part with precious seconds.
The difference between the usual mode and the Sport algorithm is felt so significantly that it seems that you have changed not only the situation handles of the checkpoint, but the car itself. The programs last longer, and the sound of the motor is painted with new, ringing high notes.
At the same time, the alliance of a turbocharged motor and a six -speed automatic transmission looks quite viable and self -sufficient: do not worry that Passat 1.8 TSI is not equipped with an excellent DSG box. Of course, the usual automaton changes the transmission not so lightning speed, and minor failures are still felt, but, right, this is a nit -picking.
The tracted, elastic, quite powerful, what else? Ah, yes, economy! Well, 11.3 liters of fuel in urban mode, even adjusted that the declared numbers differ from real, a good result. Although far from the leader in the economy in the classroom. Finally, it is difficult to underestimate the silence and vibration isolation of the salon. Actually, and the FSI type engine was not noisy, but this one is generally quiet.
Volkswagen brakes are reliable and sensitive. The pads instantly dig into the discs, confidently slowing down the sedan, but the mechanism is still not enough information.
The chassis Passat on small potholes demonstrates the optimal rigidity so that the car does not shake, and sufficient softness so that these potholes are passed unnoticed by the driver and passengers. Even on a heavily broken highway (or paving stones), the suspensions reliably work out every irregularity, little inferior to the most comfortable class cars.
Passat has not changed dramatically just with a new engine better: slightly faster, slightly quieter and definitely economical. And with Kaluga help and significantly cheaper. The wind of change blows in the right direction and with optimal strength.
 
Text: Philip Berezin
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [May 2008]