Test Drive Volkswagen Passat US From 2011 Sedan

Guy from the highest society

A firmly shot down body with aggressive knowledge, low-profile tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, four chrome dulas of the release system ... Looking at the most expensive and perfect Passat, it is difficult to believe that once the same firm produced a sympathy of bugs and rabbits (so called first golf in the US). There is no doubt - the current Volkswagen, though he remained a folk brand, but already climbed to the car Olympus. This model, like Passat W8, can be safely put in one row with the elite: BMW, Mercedes, Audi.
 
Thunderstorm authorities?
More prestigious, even more solid - under such a motto there is an evolution of the Passat. Podtampovka on the wings became voluminous and expressive, the company's emblems increased. Metallized moldings, edging of glass, grille grille are effectively shiny. There are parking sensors on the rear bumper, bixenon headlamps, avant-garde design combined lights. Everything like the most. And so that there is no doubt about the inspection that you have the most charged version with an archent engine and a full drive, the dual pipes of silencers are provided for the w8 and 4 motion ranks on the trunk lid.
 
I open the hood - it does not wait to see a unique subcompact eight (details in SM, 2001, No. 6). What is it, the power unit with four rows of cylinders? Alas - the plastic cover completely closes the motor. In addition to the orange head of oil probe, not a single detail is visible. Only steel glitter fixed on the lid emblem W8 confirms - the promised miracle of technology there, in depth. Later, the original engine, and even in the context, we managed to see on the stand. Crystrome design is impressive! Oh, the Japanese journalists have been unfinished and lasted by shutters. They are difficult to surprise them to surprise them, and there is genuine interest.
 
Volkswagen salon is traditionally spacious: comfortable and in front and rear. A wide range of seats and steering column adjustments, of course, saved. The main difference between the top model in wealth, luxury, the abundance of options for the configuration - it is necessary to give to see in eminent competitors. I note that it was possible. There is a full gentleman set: Wooden inserts and steering wheel, recaro armchairs with combined skin and alcantara, fashionable aluminum rims of instrument scales, chrome-plated door handles and lever pads, climate control, equipped with a color audio display, combined with navigation. But the most interesting in the other. What sin to hide, often the salons of German cars look luxuriously, but too strictly strictly. But the Passat packed to the maximum no longer call the office on the wheels. It was worth diluting the abundance of black-colored light beige gamut in the Scandinavian style, as in the cabin it became homely cozy.
 
Almost athlete, but still ...
So, there is no complaints to appearance and interior. It remains to know what a car on the go. Overall - good. From the very first meters, the Passat W8 makes it clear that he is a predator, not a herbivorous animal. Start frisky, acceleration intense, maximum speed is far from two hundred. This shell is able to deliver the sea pleasure to an active driver. If the owner of the People's Brand will not be placed on a joke - few people will be able to endure with him seriously. Applied to four wheels 275 horsepower - a significant argument in the dispute who is faster. Below and low-profile tires with dimension 225/45R17. They tenaciously keep the road at high speeds. Short-terrestrial sports suspensions are also configured on a dynamic ride. The car is almost not cubed in the protracted devices of the autobah, it does not swing on the gentle waves of the road surface, the famously copes with quite steep turns. And only on the complex ligaments of the winding mountain serpentine Passat sometimes gives slack - roll and plaintable tire peak. Having hurt, they say, I'm still a civil car, and not a racing car. A little earlier, the station is asking for a wagon - the sedan has more reserve. It is at least not much, but more mobile and easier in management - the smaller mass is affected, the best weighing, the nuances in the work of the all-wheel drive transmission.
 
When the desire to drive disappears, the predator may be affectionate and fluffy. When moving in a calm rhythm, hard suspensions are sufficiently comfortable both on an even asphalt, and not a bit of a breakdown. In the cabin silence - noise insulation from the car is excellent. According to this parameter, Volkswagen will probably give odds to the prestigious Audi A6 with a three-liter gasoline engine, and they are both close relatives - there are one concern. With a pronounced sports style, the Passat W8 does not irritate the engine roar and the release system. Motor gives you to know about my work barely audible yard. And only when the tachometer arrow will translate for 5000 rpm, an unobtrusive voice acting appears, an adjusting hearing of the trigger driver. In general, the main feature of the wisdom power unit is a complete lack of features. And this is right - the consumer can know about the constructive delights, but should not be burdened with them. Otherwise - the price of the price is such innovations. So, the motor is powerful, the traveler (which, in general, the norm for the four-liter eight), is easily spinning to 6000 rpm. Paying for a pleasant engine in all respects - its appetite. According to the manufacturer: 9.5 l / 100 km on the highway and 19.4 l / 100 km in the conditional urban cycle. Having looked at the fuel level pointer, made sure that these numbers can be trusted.
 
Another remark. Four leading wheels are given by the Passat for the best realization of the engine potential, good controllability, high active safety in difficult road conditions, etc. As for the passability, it does not have to wait for miracles from the asphalt full-eater. A small jam on the gravel lift canopy - and the car is helplessly freezing. The suspension stroke of one of the rear wheels is fully selected, the result is a diagonal hanging, in which electronic locks were powerless.
 
Solid appearance, chic salon, powerful engine, good running quality - Volkswagen managed to create a car for gourmet. I think that buyers who will certainly pay attention to the newcomer - Passat W8 will certainly pay attention to the novice.
Updated in 2000, the Volkswagen Passat family was replenished with a modification of W8 today. The sedan and the wagon are equipped with a gasoline four-liter W-shaped 502 kW / 275 liters. with. Transmission - all-wheel drive, gearbox - mechanical six-speed or automatic five-speed.
 
Text / Vadim Crochekov
Photo / Vadim Hooks and Volkswagen firm
   
 

 

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"