Volkswagen Passat

	Volkswagen Passat
	Debut: 2014 Maker: Volkswagen Predecessor: Passat (2005)

Published on 8 Jan 2015

A quarter of a century ago German premium brands were out of the reach of most people, whereas Japanese or Korean cars were known for cheapness rather than desirability. The best an average family driver could dream of was to buy a mid-size sedan from one of the European mainstream brands, such as Ford Sierra / Mondeo, Opel Vectra, Peugeot 405 / 406, Citroen BX or Volkswagen Passat. They were not necessarily better built than Japanese ones – in fact, most cases were the contrary – but they did enjoy a psychological advantage. However, those days had passed long ago. Today, the family sedans of European mainstream brands are facing threats against their very existence. As I pointed out many times over the last decade, European mainstream D-segment has been shrinking every year under the attack of premium brands as well as the rise of SUVs and crossovers. Many cars now sell fewer than 100,000 units a year, obviously below their breakeven points. They have to either change or die.

One solution, as demonstrated by Opel Insignia and Ford Mondeo, is to go global. While the segment is shrinking in Europe, it is still selling very well in the America, and China opens up new opportunities for growth. What it lost in Europe can be more than compensated by America and China. On the flip side, a world car is always a compromise between the diverse taste and needs of different markets. While European motorists expect high quality and sophistication, America and China want more space and lower costs. That's why Volkswagen opted for another solution – it developed two very different Passats, one for Europe and another for USA and China. The European Passat Mk8 responds to the shrinking market by migrating closer to the territory of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. It offers comparable style, build quality and advanced technology at prices set midway between Ford Mondeo and BMW 3-Series. In other words, it is a counterattack to the premium brands!

Like the latest generation of Volkswagen models, the Mk8 Passat has turned to a new styling theme that employs straighter lines, flatter surfaces and overall a more conservative approach, which might suit its upmarket positioning. To make it looks graceful enough when standing beside Audi or BMW, its body profile is overhauled with a longer bonnet, so that it looks less front-wheel-drive than it is. This is made possible by using an upright nose and by moving back the windscreen a bit. Thanks to better orientation of the engine, the bonnet can be set lower and contributes to a sleeker front end. The slimmer front grille and headlamps let the car looks wider than it actually is. In short, the new Passat appears to be more upmarket than ever.

The new car has its wheelbase stretched by 79 mm to a class-competitive 2791 mm, but its overall length remains unchanged due to shorter front and rear overhangs. The body is 14 mm lower and 12 mm wider, so frontal area is more or less unchanged while center of gravity is slightly lowered. While the exterior profile looks a bit dull, details have been taken more attention. (Optional) full LED headlights, a stronger crease line at the body side and trapezoidal exhaust pipes add a touch of elegance. Meanwhile, the Passat's traditional C-pillar shape is retained.

By class standards, the new Passat is by no means large, but it uses space more efficiently than most. Its extended wheelbase adds 33 mm to the cabin length and gives rear passengers good legroom. Rear headroom is also improved, so 6-footers will find it comfortable for long journeys. Meanwhile, boot space is also enlarged by 21 liters to a remarkable 586 liters. However, what separates the Volkswagen from its mainstream rivals is its superior build quality. This is immediately noticeable from the solid “whump” the way the doors close. There is not a single cheap plastic visible in the cabin. All are soft and finely textured to feel as expensive as those of premium brands. There are no cheap switches or controls either. All are solidly built, well damped and operate smoothly. In fact, this cabin feels more expensive than that of the BMW 3-Series.

Neither is it short of style. The last generation Passat might be, but the new car has really lifted the game with a dashboard design that emphasizes simplicity and coherence. Horizontal grilles of the air vents stretch the full width of the dash to amplify the sense of spaciousness and class. It is tastefully decorated with satin-finish trims. A 6.5-inch touchscreen sat-nav system is fitted standard on the center console, but the optional 8-inch item is more desirable, as it offers Google Earth and street view. Furthermore, you can replace the conventional instruments with a 12.3-inch TFT display (taken straight from the new Audi TT). In this way the dials are not only configurable but the sat-nav map and other multimedia images can also be displayed behind the floating dials. If that’s not ergonomical enough to you, you can opt for head-up display as well. Meanwhile, seating comfort is enhanced by a classy driver seat and independent front and rear climate controls. The Passat’s interior is remarkably high-tech and expensive.

The new Passat is built on the lightweight MQB platform that underpins Golf and many other models of the group. Its monocoque construction adopts 17 percent of ultra-high strength steel and 27 percent of hot-formed steel, plus some aluminum parts. The body-in-white is therefore 33 kg lighter than the last generation. Weight reduction is also found in the rest of the chassis (9 kg), engine and suspensions (40 kg) and even wires (3 kg). Overall, the new car is claimed to be 85 kg lighter than the Mk7. A Passat installed with 150 hp 1.4 TSI engine tips the scale at just 1312 kg, a remarkable figure for the class. It is not quite as light as a Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv-G (1300 kg), but the latter comes with inferior build quality and NVH suppression. Anything else in the class is considerably heavier. For example, Ford Mondeo 1.5 Ecoboost is rated at 1485 kg.

Naturally, the suspensions are similar to the premium Golf, i.e. MacPherson struts up front and multi-links at the rear. However, on the Passat the rear suspension is mounted on a subframe to better absorb NVH, while the front subframe is made of aluminum instead of steel. They are supported with DCC dynamic chassis control (adaptive dampers) and progressive (variable-ratio) electrical power steering.

Volkswagen offers no fewer than 9 engines for the Passat – 125hp 1.4TSI, 150hp 1.4TSI ACT, 180hp 1.8TSI, 220hp 2.0TSI, 280hp 2.0TSI, 120hp 1.6TDI, 150hp 2.0TDI, 190hp 2.0TDI and 240hp 2.0BiTDI. Worth special mentioning is the new 240 hp BiTDI. It should be the most power-dense diesel engine in production this side of BMW’s tri-turbo diesel six. It employs a 2-stage twin-turbo system consisting of a small VTG turbo and a large fixed geometry turbo. The common-rail injection system employs piezo injectors working at 2500 bar, a figure sharing with the very best Volvo Drive-E diesel. Based on the regular 2.0 TDI engine, its cylinder head, pistons, con-rods and crankshaft have been strengthened to take on the extra power and maximum torque of 369 lbft. The latter calls for a new, high-torque version of 7-speed DSG gearbox and compulsory 4motion system. With a top speed of nearly 150 mph and 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, no wonder the Passat can abandon VR6 engine in this generation. Thanks to the sequential twin-turbo, the super diesel motor has a wider power band than lesser 2.0 TDI engines (it redlines at 5000 rpm), but revving beyond 4000 rpm will generate a coarser soundtrack and hurt refinement. This means it is probably not worth the extra cash.

The much cheaper 150 hp 1.4 TSI ACT is a better bet. As seen on Golf, it is a good motor, with a flexible manner and high running refinement. At light load, it switches over to twin-cylinder mode imperceptibly to save fuel. Moreover, Volkswagen’s 6-speed manual transmission has a light and slick gearshift. There is a lot to love about this combination. If you want more performance, the 220 hp 2.0TSI engine (from Golf GTI) should be a compelling choice.

Apart from petrol and diesel, the new Passat also offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combines a 156 hp 1.4 TSI engine and a 109 hp electric motor for a system output of 211 hp. It has an EV range of 50 km and a combined range of 1000 km.

On the road, the front-wheel-drive Passat is no BMW 3-Series, of course, but its ride and handling won’t disappoint family car buyers. It feels noticeably tauter than the old car, with tighter body control, ample grip and a variable-ratio steering that is both direct and accurate. You can place the car more precisely in corners. If you opt for the most aggressive wheels and tires, the ride could be a little harsh on country roads, but on other combinations the Passat feels refined, comfortable and polished. It cruises on highway with the composure and quietness of premium cars. All the controls are well weighted and most powertrains are responsive and flexible. However, just like any Volkswagen products, the new Passat feels a little cold to keen drivers. Its steering doesn’t deliver a lot of messages to the driver. In comparison, Ford Mondeo is a little more engaging to drive, even though the gap has been narrowed considerably in this generation. The Ford’s ride comfort and refinement is also a tad better on larger wheels.

All things considered, the new Passat has to be rated as the best family car together with Ford Mondeo and BMW 3-Series. If you chase after driving fun, the 3-Series will be definitely the top choice. If you have a smaller budget, Mondeo will never disappoint. If you want something offering premium car quality at half the premium, the Volkswagen will be a no-brainer.

Verdict: