The new passat
This is it - the new Passat. Initial photos and facts as a taster before the premiere in February 2005. The launch will follow in the first European countries in March, after which the sixth generation of the bestselling model - more than 13 million Passats have been sold to date - will also be launched on the other continents.
The new Passat is a car which is just as stylish as it is functional, comfortable and well thought-out. Volkswagen has not only redesigned the major features ? the engines, running gear and the body. To improve the mobile lifestyle, the cleverly-designed functional elements make all the difference. There are many examples of this: the Bluetooth telephone unit, the high-quality sound system, the sporty but comfortable long-distance seats, the intelligent starting and locking system, the electronic parking brake, automatic distance control, draught-free Climatronic ventilation or simply the very stylish interior and exterior. That is the new Passat.
Dimensions - controlled growth
Its is traditional in terms of the series that the new Passat offers a spacious interior close to that offered by the luxury-class. Thanks to the transversely-mounted engines and the slightly larger body dimensions however, this applies now more than ever. In detail, the new Passat is 4.77 metres long (+ 62 mm), 1.82 metres wide (+ 74 mm) and 1.47 metres tall (+ 10 mm). Its wheelbase measures 2.71 metres (+ 6 mm); the luggage compartment offers a maximum volume of 565 litres (+ 90 litres). Another dimension is particularly exciting however: the static torsional rigidity. Its value is 57 percent greater than that of its already very good predecessor and represents the best value in its class.
Engines - six out of seven are direct injection and new to the Passat range
Petrol engines: With the exception of the entry-level engine with 75 kW / 102 PS, all the petrol engines are new to the Passat range. The four-cylinder FSI engines with homogeneous direct injection have an output of 85 kW / 115 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. A 3.2 litre V6 FSI with 184 kW / 250 PS will top off the range in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Diesel engines: Each of the three TDIs are being used in this series for the first time. These will be as a 77 kW / 105 PS, 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS units. The diesel engines will also gradually be offered with a diesel particulate filter. The most powerful TDI is equipped with the highly innovative Piezzo-operated high pressure fuel injection system and two balancer shafts, as is the 103 kW TDI with diesel particulate filter. The 85 kW, 110 kW and 147 kW petrol engines can be combined with a comfortable six-speed automatic gearbox; the two more powerful TDI engines with the innovative dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). Models with the 4MOTION four-wheel drive will follow at a later date.
Design - the new face of Volkswagen
Its striking design shows stylish lines, is extremely distinctive and shows a progressive brand image with a chrome shield.shaped radiator grille - the new face. The much-acclaimed Concept R (Roadster) and Concept C (Cabriolet-Coupé) showed the stylistic direction for this VW face of the future. The Passat is the first production vehicle to now show these characteristics.
The rear section of the Passat is characterised by fast responding LED rear lights which reproduce the styling of the headlights with a round main element.
Interior - fresher, more driver-orientated, more functional
A glance at the interior of the new Passat reveals a transparent, fresh, luxurious and stylish design, high-quality materials and technology orientated towards people and not towards what is theoretically possible. The aim here was to achieve perfect ergonomics and operation. The Passat cockpit is therefore more driver-orientated then ever, with sporty and clean line functional elements and stylistic brilliancy. The interior can be adapted according to personal preferences, for example through four equipment lines, each available with four colour schemes together with wood and aluminium trims.
Technology - the most intelligent Passat of all time
New Feature I, The Electronic Parking Brake The Passat has an electronic parking brake as standard - a first in this class. It engages and disengages at the touch of a button. Its electronic control system is linked to other control units via a network. This means it can perform a series of new brake functions. These include dynamic onboard braking system, auto release (for hill starts) and vehicle hold (no need to hold down the brake pedal at traffic lights)
New Feature II, Starting and Locking System The Passat's remote control starting and locking functions have been developed as an entirely new system. It dispenses with the conventional ignition key. Instead the central locking transmitter slots into a holder to the right of the steering wheel and the driver then presses it to start the engine. In models equipped with Volkswagen's keyless entry system, now available in the Passat for the first time, the engine simply starts at the touch of button.
New Feature III, Automatic Distance Control Automatic distance control, which Volkswagen first introduced in the Phaeton, is now available in the new Passat, marking another new development in this segment. The system is intuitively operated via a lever on the steering column. As soon as the distance to the vehicle in front falls below a defined value, the Passat applies the brakes until the car has slowed to a speed which has been preset via the cruise control system. Once the lane ahead is clear again, the Passat accelerates to the previously selected speed.
New Feature IV, Bluetooth Telephone The Passat has an optional telephone unit with hands-free capability featuring a bluetooth interface. Genial dabei: The ingenious part of the system is that if you have started a telephone call outside the Passat, you can still get in and drive away while continuing the call, provided you have a suitable Bluetooth mobile phone.
New Feature V, Dynaudio Sound System Volkswagen has paid utmost attention to the quality of infotainment and entertainment in the new Passat. The 600-Watt high-end sound system from the hifi specialist Dynaudio offers an outstanding audio experience. The 10-channel system equipped with excellent components sets a new standard in this class. For instance, the top navigation system is fed with road data via DVD.
New Feature VI, Draught-free Climatronic Ventilation The two-zone automatic climate control system is also a unique option in this class. As in the Phaeton, this system allows draught-free ventilation/cooling at the touch of a button.
Power Supply: Business travellers will welcome the ability to recharge a laptop via a 230 Volt power supply.
Bi-Xenon Adaptive Headlights Major improvements have been made to Passat's headlight systems compared to the predecessor model. Moreover, the adaptive bi-xenon headlights now light up the road even better. They have an integrated dynamic cornering light and a static cornering to ensure optimum illumination of the road ahead. The cornering light enhances safety especially when turning at a crossroads or junction.
Running Gear with ESP + Trailer Stabilisation The new four-link rear suspension, which is separated from the body by a noise reducing subframe, and the McPherson strut front suspension designed with aluminium components give the Passat an outstanding level of agility, comfort and safety. To make the running gear technology complete, the Passat has ESP and all vehicles with a tow bar are equipped with trailer stabilisation. In addition to the usual ESP functions, this system detects imminent trailer snaking and takes action via the brakes and the engine to prevent it.
