What happens when designers interpret a clear, logical, intuitively perceivable style with even more power, muscle and passion than ever before can be seen in the new Passat: design united with innovative technologies catapult the Passat into a sportier, more sophisticated, class-transcending dimension in the greatest evolutionary step since the series was first created.

The sixth Passat is therefore characterised by its powerful, avant-garde design. The new VW front section with its chrome medallion-shaped radiator grille and its headlights, the athletic silhouette and powerful rear section design represent the biggest design leap that has occurred since the product line was introduced. The outward design of the Passat demonstrates what applies also to its interior: everything is new and everything is different. Let’s take the dimensions as an example: the new Passat is 4.77 metres long (+ 62mm), 1.82 metres wide (+ 74 mm) and 1.47 metres high (+ 10 mm). Its wheelbase measures 2.71 metres. A clear indication of excellent quality: its static torsion stability is 57 per cent higher than that of its fairly good predecessor and represents the new top performance in this class. The boot volume has also grown considerably: 565 litres maximum (541 litres on 4motion models).

Prices (RRP):

Options:
$2,990 - satellite navigation
$2,490 - 18"x8" alloy wheels
$2,290 - bi-xenon headlights
$1,990 - electric glass sunroof
$1,490 - electric front seats with memory on driver's seat
$2,990 - leather upholstery (standard on 3.2 V6 models)
  $590 - alarm system (standard on 3.2 V6 models)
  $990 - metallic/pearl effect paint

INTERIOR - WAGON
Between 603 (588 litres on V6 4motion) and 1,731 litres of cargo space.

With its expanded length, width and height, this model now offers both more cargo space and more room for passengers. The storage volume up to the cargo area cover/bottom edge of the window is 603 litres (+108 litres). Using this cargo space giant to capacity means 1,731 litres including the spare wheel well (+131 litres). The fuel tank capacity has also been increased from 62 to 70 litres. In addition to all this, the Passat Wagon can take quite a bit of payload: up to 638 kilos, i.e. 43 kg more than its predecessor.

To make loading and unloading as easy as possible, the tailgate lifts up to 2.06 metres while the lower edge of the cargo area is only 0.62 metres low. The tall-cargo channel is 0.72 metres. The interior cabin offers headroom of 0.83 metres up to the roof lining, and the width between the wheel cases is 1.0 metre. The area of greatest width in the cargo area is 1.3 metres. Minimum length: 1.13 metres. When the rear seat backrest is folded down flat (standard division of bench 1/3 to 2/3), the size of the cargo area is an amazing 1.96 metres.

SAFETY
Five-star crash-test results in the Euro-NCAP;
eight airbags, ESP and comprehensive protection systems as a standard

Sensibly complementing highly effective passive safety elements with increasingly intelligent active safety components such as ESP result in Volkswagen presenting the new Passat as one of the world’s safest cars. The basis of optimum passive safety has been and will be the highest possible bodywork rigidity. And here again, the new Passat sets new standards in its class. On top of this, it is the car’s restraint systems which improve safety at the most perceptible levels. As a standard, the new Passat is equipped with dual-face front airbags, active crash head restraints in front as well as side airbags (front and rear) and head airbags (front and rear). It goes without saying that the Passat as a well-established vehicle driven on all five continents meets all the applicable crash standards world-wide.

FULL OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES
More safety and more comfort in the Passat
due to a wide range of new systems

Running gear: the new four-arm rear axle, acoustically isolated from the bodywork by an auxiliary frame, and the McPherson front axle, newly designed around aluminium components (weight reduction of 13.3 kg) ensure agility, comfort and safety at the highest level. The running gear technology is rounded off by the ESP Brakes with wipers as standard, all Passat models are equipped with a 16-inch brake system with integrated disc wiper. The linings are gently applied at certain intervals. This wipes off any water film that may have built up due to wet roads and therefore shortens the braking distance.

Electromechanical parking brake: the Passat is the first in its class to have a push button-operated electromechanical parking brake as standard. Its electronic control system and networking with other control units allowed the integration of a dynamic emergency braking function, a starting assistant (e.g. for going uphill) and an auto-hold function (stopping at traffic lights without constant brake pedal operation).

Starting and locking system: the starting and locking system with radio remote control has been completely redeveloped. There is no longer an ignition key in the conventional sense. Most of the transmitter components for unlocking and locking the central locking system have been moved into a retainer to the right of the steering wheel. The engine can now be started by pressing the transmitter.

Draft-free Climatronic air-conditioning: the dual-zone automatic air conditioning system provides draught-free ventilation at the touch of a button.

Bi-xenon headlights with corner illumination: all headlight systems have been improved significantly compared to the predecessor model, particularly the main beam. The controllable bi-xenon headlights of the new Passat also provide better long-distance visibility. The integrated dynamic corner illumination lamp follows the course of the road with a maximum swivelling angle of 15 degrees and thus ensures optimum visibility at all times. The perfect complement of this system is an additional static turn assist lamp which has major advantages due to its side alignment of about 35 degrees in relation to the vehicle axis, particularly when you turn at crossings and junctions.

Tyre pressure monitoring system: sensors notify the driver of a possible tyre pressure loss by means of a visual indicator.

ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS

2.0 FSI Turbo with 147 kW: the most powerful four-cylinder engine Volkswagen uses here is the 2.0 FSI with turbocharger and boost inter-cooling already known from the Golf GTI and Jetta. The powerful direct injection engine which produces 147 kW between 5,100-6,600 rpm, speeds the Passat up from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 7.8 seconds and makes the vehicle reach a top speed of 230 km/h. The average consumption of the 2.0 T-FSI, 8.7 litres shows how efficiently the combination of FSI and turbocharger works.

At 10.5:1, the 2.0 T-FSI features a high compression ratio and its powerful torque (280 Nm metres between 1,800 and 4,700 rpm) makes it a superior drive unit. To be more precise, the Passat engine uses the advantages of homogeneous direct injection and combines it with the superior power of turbo-charging, driven through a six speed tiptronic automatic transmission. The result is an extraordinary torque curve, excellent response, pure joy of driving and not even a hint of a turbo lag.

3.2 V6 FSI with 184 kW: a newly developed 3,168 cc V6 FSI engine in the Passat first shown at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2005. At 6,250 rpm its output is 184 kW and it reaches a maximum torque of 330 Nm metres (from 2,750 and up to 3,750 rpm).

The technical basis is the six-cylinder engine with suction pipe injection. The new engine’s features include direct petrol injection (FSI), and its advantages are more power, less petrol consumption and less exhaust gas. Thanks to its comprehensive redesign, the V6 FSI features optimised stability properties, reduced strain on components and lower weight. The acclaimed DSG transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive are standard on the new Passat 3.2 V6 FSI.

2.0 TDI with 103 kW: 206 km/h is the top speed of the 103 kW (at 4,000 rpm) Passat 2.0 TDI. At only 1,750 rpm, the engine reaches its maximum torque of 320 Nm metres and speeds the car up from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.8 seconds. Average diesel consumption: 6.6 litres, yes just 6.6 l/100km!.

The 2.0 TDI has the 6 speed DSG transmission as standard.

Like they say in the advertising .... the new Passat is full of unexpected pleasures.

The New Passat 4MOTION

New all-wheel drive generation for Passat:
4MOTION offers more safety and better dynamics.
4MOTION and DSG standard in the Passat 3.2 V6 FSI.

4MOTION, the all-wheel drive system from Volkswagen, offers enhanced active safety and driving pleasure. The top model of the Passat range, the 184 kW 3.2 V6 FSI, has the most effective form of power distribution as standard for both the sedan and wagon.

4MOTION took over from syncro

Permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive also enhances the handling of the Golf, Multivan and Touareg. Volkswagen has been building Passats with all-wheel drive alongside front-wheel drive for over two decades; the first model, the Passat estate GT syncro, was launched in 1984. To date over 256,000 Passat drivers worldwide have opted for all-wheel drive.

4MOTION is powerful

The Passat comes equipped for the first time with a 4MOTION system featuring Haldex coupling. The coupling, which is fitted directly in the rear axle, is considerably more compact and the system works quickly, sensitively and quietly.

4MOTION is adaptable

The central element of the 4MOTION system is a multi-plate wet coupling (in an oil bath). It is called the Haldex coupling as it was developed together with Swedish systems partner Haldex who have worked with Volkswagen for many years. The Haldex coupling has the major advantage of being electronically controlled and having a very fast response. This allows it to work very effectively in conjunction with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), the traction control system (ASR) and the Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) – all these assistance systems are fitted as standard in the Passat.

4MOTION is always active

As soon as differences in the speeds of rotation between the front and rear axles occur two annular piston pumps are electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) – all these assistance systems are activated which build up pressure in the multi-plate coupling (Haldex system) thus "coupling" the two axles to each other. The transmitted torque can be varied by adjusting the pressure on the coupling plates, thus controlling the flow of power between the front and rear axles. The coupling provides an infinitely variable torque transfer between the front and rear axles. In extreme cases up to 100 percent of the available torque can be transmitted to the rear axle. In the normal case with the vehicle travelling in a straight line at a constant speed with no differences in the wheels' grip, 90 percent of the available torque is transmitted to the front axle and ten percent to the rear axle. The Haldex coupling is driven by the propshaft.

Yes, the Passat 4MOTION is, also, full of unexpected pleasures.