2011 Volkswagen Passat (Euro-spec)

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The fifth and sixth Passat generations had already left conventional class boundaries behind and bridged a path to the next higher segment with their high-end features. The seventh generation Passat emphatically continues this trend. A completely new styling configuration was created; its front-end styling follows that of the Phaeton which was restyled mid-year. It simultaneously guides the Passat's independent design into the future.

Without leaving the mid-class in terms of pricing, the Passat approaches the top segments even more powerfully with its upgraded comfort, convenience, quality and safety properties as well as in its assistance systems. In fact, the Passat - available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment levels - now offers more value thanks to its optimized features. For example, standard equipment on all turbodiesel models of the base Trendline version now includes the energy-saving Stop/Start system and battery regeneration. All other petrol and natural gas engines have a battery regeneration system as well. For the smallest petrol engine, battery regeneration and the Stop/Start system are available as options.

Up to 18 Percent Improved Fuel Economy

As is usual for a Volkswagen, the new Passat also sets standards in sustainability. All ten engines (105 hp through 300 hp) are more fuel efficient - up to 18 percent more. The "smallest" and yet torque-strong turbodiesel (1.6 TDI with 105 hp and 250 Nm) now consumes just 4.2 l/100 km; that is equivalent to 109 g/km CO2. Meanwhile, downsizing and technologies such as the Stop/Start system contribute to extraordinary fuel efficiency in the petrol-powered versions. Pioneering here is the 1.4 TSI (122 hp); in the BlueMotion Technology version, it only consumes 5.8 l/100 km. The equivalent CO2 value is 138 g/km.

New Safety Features

Volkswagen is making genuine progress in the area of safety. The previous model already attained an impressive five stars in Euro-NCAP crash testing. The new model takes safety to a new level with features such as an automatic City emergency braking function and, on Comfortline models and above, a standard fatigue detection function. As a component of the optional automatic ACC adaptive cruise control system, in worst case scenarios the emergency braking function reacts independently at speeds below 18 mph. So, it can help prevent frontal collisions. The fatigue detection system, which Volkswagen is introducing for the first time in this class, is continually active; it detects reduced driver concentration and warns the driver with an acoustic signal; a visual message also appears in the instrument cluster recommending that the driver should take a break from driving.

Volkswagen Passat (Euro-spec): Review (2/2)