Test Drive Volkswagen Passat US From 2011 Sedan

Coupe in square

Formally, the coupe is a two- or three-volume passenger car with two side doors and two rows of seats. But recently the manufacturers interpret this type of body as pleased. Mercedes-Benz made four-door CLS, actually declaring himself a revolutionary. And now I'm gusting compatriots, People's Volkswagen represented, submitted to the public Passat CC.
What is typical of the Germans and this time managed to finalize the long-suffering classification: the abbreviation of the SS meant that the car awarded it is not only two doors, but also a transformed roof. So, the new modification of Passat does not concern: it is not enough that he has four doors, and the roof is not removed. As for the name, the Germans thus simply reduced the determination of the comfort coupe.
And really, why should the head break? The client will somehow decrease somehow, and at the producing machines of compatriots will be another reason to recover: the appearance in the Volkswagen line so impractical toys once again proves that the company did not refuse the company from plans to conquer the premium segment.
The fact that Passat CC is made for a more wealthy layer of European society, obviously. Formally, he retained the features of the sedan of the same name, but really stylists had to refine or do a re-literally every bodybar. The front of the SS, for example, is a bit longer and squat, it is stronger in front of the front racks, the roof has become more attached and, by the way, almost perfect in terms of geometry. In general, the style here, as always, is flawless. But the main thing, in contrast to the obviously family-friendly sentiment of the sedan, the novelty possesses the very charisma, which is not in any of the modern VW models (and for a long time). Of course, it can be said that the muscular arches and powerful ribs on the sides are spied at a relatively fresh Mercedes C-class, and the car profile itself was too Asian. You can agree on an overly heavy feed and uncharacteristic for the brand of the splaspling lamps ... But, on the other hand, it is due to this (maybe even alien and unconventional) elements of Passat CC gained individuality. He became not just a solid, but noticeable and bright as it should be a premium (or applying on the title) car.
Alas, but designers did not have enough for the design of the interior of the forces. Yes, aluminum on the panel, removable plastic, leather, frankly sporty and, as always, comfortable chairs add a respectable car, however, a civil sedan salon in a compartment looks like, to put it mildly, not impressive. It is waiting for greater focus on the driver, which is very well implemented, for example, in the last Audi, there is still the same symmetry and Teutonic rigor. However, it is possible that the preservation of the corporate passat style step is quite informed, especially since the Germans did not finally breed a novel with the donor family.
There is in this, however, there are considerable advantages. First ergonomics. The functional component here, as in the sedan, deserves the highest marks, everything is calculated to the smallest detail. Second Comfort. As in any other VW, the driver and the front passenger has a landing and selection of correct adjustments by definition. True, they may arise when landing, at least in people with high growth: in order not to make a top of the top of the front rack, they will have to constantly control the stock of the vital space, otherwise contact can be very painful.
But, unlike most formal competitors, the SS has a full-fledged quadruple salon. The Germans did not shine the soul and revealed the rear sofa under two passengers. The central roller is absent here as a class, so it will not work out there anyone. The remaining pair of seating places with ease will take into their arms of two full-size inhabitants, while ensuring more than a decent level of comfort. The only limitation is the height: the ceiling here is still lower than in the sedan. But it is unlikely that this will be upset by the driver, because the coupe is not buying for family entertainment, but for their own.
With this, by the way, the SS is all right. Russian clients are available cars with three gasoline engines, the weakest of which (1.8 TSI) issues 152 hp, and the most powerful (3.6-liter V6) 300 hp There is also a 2-liter turbodiesel, but it is unlikely that it will be any noticeable on the background of our aggregates traditionally popular with us. Boxes are also three: MCP, mandatory for each VW DSG and 6-speed automatic. He worked in a pair with a 200-strong TSI tested coupe.
The two-liter turbo turbo engine for the author of these rows is not news, but this tandem is very good: those without a small 8 seconds, which he spends on a set of 100 km / h, for such a car is quite enough. But more like the box: judging by the manufacturer, the ACP switches slower preselective DSG, but it is difficult to feel this difference in practice (first, it is no less damn, and secondly, it is properly configured). Plus, you should not forget about the motor settings: maximum thrust (280 nm) is available at 1700 revs, which allows the use of an ACP with maximum efficiency. In general, with active pedaling, the car is not disappointing rides porn.
But without rear. The steering wheel, suspension and brakes work well, the car is comfortable, obedient and sustainable enough, but it does not fall down to the unquestionless execution of the driver's desire. However, the Germans immediately said that the Passat SS was not addressed to not mythical buyers, but sophisticated fans of the model preferring to possess a slightly more original car with a slightly more sporty character ...
Vladimir Lodkov
Photo: Armen Maitarjan
 

A source: Mkmobile magazine [April / 2009]