Volkswagen Passat 2004 News

Taking advantage of the slow-moving car market in Europe, as well as the strength of the Australian dollar against the eurodollar, the local Volkswagen importer has further improved the value offered by the Passat. Volkswagen has almost doubled its overall sales in Australia in the past three years thanks to a very strong marketing push and managing director, Anke Koeckler, is determined to keep the ball rolling. Hence the increased value in the Passat range with, may we speculate, similar movements to follow on other vehicles in the range. During a lunchtime briefing with Ms Koeckler she said the big push in the next 12 months will be on the all-new Golf, now into its seventh generation. We have been invited to the global launch of new Golf in October this year and will be able to supply details and a full driving review immediately afterwards. But back to the Passat. Every model will now come standard with satellite navigation. The Volkswagen RNS510 system has a high-resolution touch screen display in the increasingly popular 16:9 format. It offers the choice between 2D, topographical and 3D map views. There is voice control for the sat nav, as well as telephone and radio functions. The RNS510 has a 30 Gb hard drive for storing music and navigation data and can accept inputs via a SD card slot, a single DVD drive and MP3. Another standard feature is a rear view camera that will assist by providing static and dynamic guidance lines on the satellite navigation. The convenience of powered opening and closing of the tailgate now is part of the standard equipment on all Passat station wagons. The recently added ‘Tip-to-Run’ function means the tailgate switches to automatic operation when someone tries to close it manually. Standard steering wheel gearshift paddles in both the sedan and wagon make gear choice simpler in the Volkswagen Passat V6 FSI.  The 2013 spec Passats come with the option of a Driver Assistance and Visibility Package that now incorporates the Side Assist lane change assistant which advises the driver if a vehicle is in the so-called blind spot. A warning light in the exterior mirror warns whenever a lane change would be dangerous. Despite this added equipment, valued at several thousand dollars, prices for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat remain unchanged as the Volkswagen importer is keen to lure buyers away from station wagons made by Japanese competitors. The complete 2013 Volkswagen Passat range is:               

More features will mark the second generation of Volkswagen's Passat-based four door coupe - although the Australian arm isn't yet sure just what they will be. The internationall launch of the facelifted car marks a concerted effort to reposition the car more as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe rather than as a coupe variant of the Passat sedan on which it is based. That's seen the name changed from Passat CC to just CC and the inclusion of a raft of new software-based systems, from a standard fatigue detection software to a boot-opening sensor that is activated by the keyholder waving their foot under the rear bumper and a combined side/lane warning assist. VW Australia spokeswoman Nina Willoughby says the CC will continue to be sold as a front-wheel drive 2.0-litre turbodiesel and all-paw 3.6-litre V6 but will be better value than the existing $54,990/$64,990 pricing. That should translate into more standard equipment with only minimial price rises — expect around $1500-$2000 as VW looks to hold its price edge over the Mercs and BMW's 3 Series. "We're still finalising specification — the car won't go on sale in Australia until the second quarter," she says. Using the C-Class Coupe as a benchmark, Carsguide expects VW will be looking at adaptive cruise control and as a standard feature, rather than the $2000 option on the current model. The new dynamic lighting system is another potential addition to the regular features, as is satellite navigation (now a $2300 option). VW CC lead designer Urs Rahmel admits the focus was on lifting the vehicle's prestige look rather than a radical overhaul. "It combines the functionality of a limousine with the emotional appeal of a coupe," Rahmel says. "There is more perception on a quality look, while including the new corporate look in the grille .... there is much more emphasis on horizontal lines and that helps make the car look wider than it is." In terms of dimensions, the new VW CC is just 1mm shorter than the outgoing model — all other dimensions are the same.

The German company took the wraps off the seventh generation mid-sized model which uses as little as 4.2 litres per 100km at the Paris Motor Show. Adopting a similar front end design to the range topping Phaeton limo, the new Passat is essentially a heavily upgraded version of the last model with new technology and a fresh skin.  The new car, which was presented in Paris as both a sedan and a wagon, will be available in Australia next year. It will be available with a clever new system called Easy Open, which is great for people who have their hands full. Instead of putting down your shopping and click the key fob, this system means that all you have to do to get the boot to open when standing behind the vehicle is move your foot past a motion-sensor. Volkswagen says the new Passat is up to 19 per cent more efficient than the previous model.  It uses stop/start technology, which automatically turns off the engine at idle, fitted as standard to the turbo diesel models and offering the system, along with battery regeneration as options on petrol engines. There are ten engines in the new range, starting off with a 77kW 1.6 turbo diesel that uses just 4.2L/100km and 1.6-litre turbo petrol unit using just 5.8L/100km and running through to a petrol V6 with 220kW and a fuel efficiency rating of 9.1L/100km. VW is offering two special versions of its 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. One is called the MultiFuel and can run on a fuel mix containing up to 85 per cent ethanol. The other is called the EcoFuel and can run on natural gas. Neither are expected to come to Australia in the short term. VW has added some top level safety gear including adaptive cruise control with a function that automatically brakes to avoid a crash below 30km/h, while special headlights that can automatically dip the high-beam when an oncoming car are also available. A navigation system that detects roadsigns and presents them on the centre screen is also available as well as automatic parking. The company says it modelled the new Passat’s nose on the Phaeton adding straighter lines and a three-bar chrome grille. The chiselled look is complemented by more a more pronounced shoulder line.  It has dual reflector headlights and is also available with optional distinctive daytime running lights each using 15 LEDs. New look LED tail-lights and crease running from the window line to just above the tail-light give the rear end a fresh appearance. VW has upgraded with interior with new seats, a revised dashboard and new switchgear, bringing it into line with the newly introduced Touareg.  There is now an electronic parking brake and, when fitted with keyless entry and start, a Start button.

The VW Passat CC features self-parking and the accident avoidance radar as options, but is the first car in Australia to be fitted standard with Continental’s new ContiSeal tyre which seals itself if it runs over a sharp object no wider than 5mm.The tyres cost $550, which is $50 more than the standard tyre, and are available in limited sizes for fitting to vehicles other than the Passat CC.Volkswagen Group Australia service general manager Phil Murray yesterday demonstrated the tyre’s abilities to withstand a puncture by drilling into a standard tyre with a 5mm drill bit, then into the ContiSeal.The ContiSeal failed to deflate.The tyre is coated inside with a polymer coating which is a tacky tar-like material.“This is not a run-flat tyre,” Murray said.“Its performance is the same as the standard high-performance (Continental ContiSport).“You don’t have the harshness of a run flat tyre.“Änd in the unlikely case you have to change a tyre there is still an alloy full-size spare wheel.”The ContiSeals do not weigh extra like run flats and they are not restricted to distance and speed when punctured.Continental has warned that because the motorist won't notice when their tyre has been punctured, they should regularly examine the tyre for nails or screws.The Passat CC arrives with a two-litre diesel engine at $54,990 or with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine at $65,990. 

Looking for a safe used car? Think German. The 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings suggest that German-designed cars are among the best choices.Volkswagen's Golf and Bora, Holden's German-sourced Astra TS and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class all rated well for occupant protection and safety for other road-users.With improvements to occupant safety, coupled with reduced risk to other road-users, smaller cars have replaced large family cars as the pick of the litter.In previous years the BMW 3 Series and the family-friendly Holden Commodores and Ford Falcon have been the star performers.This year the researchers highlighted the Golf, Bora, Astra TS, C-Class, Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord.The ratings show that if you make the wrong choice of used car, you could be up to 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously hurt in an accident.The research, by Monash University with the RACV, TAC and VicRoads, shows a staggering difference between used cars.As new-car safety has improved, it has widened the gap between the safest cars on the road and the most dangerous.The latest data shows that a Daihatsu Hi-Jet made from 1982-1990 is 26 times more likely to leave occupants dead or seriously injured than a Volkswagen Passat built from 1998-2005.Two criteria were used: crashworthiness, which is the car's ability to keep its occupants safe; and aggressiveness, which is the likelihood of injury or death to unprotected road-users.TAC senior manager of road safety David Healy says the ratings will play a crucial role in reducing the road toll.“It's going to make a huge difference” Healy says. “We know that by producing safer vehicles we can reduce the road toll by up to a third."“It is another piece of the jigsaw puzzle fitting into place. We now have reliable information on 279 second-hand models on the Australian market."“That means we have real-world data to tell the consumer the car to buy that's safer in a crash as well as safer for other road-users involved in the crash.”Of the 279 models covered by the study, 48 were rated “significantly worse than average” for crashworthiness. Another 29 were rated “worse than average”.On the flip side, 38 models performed “significantly better than average”. Another 48 recorded “better than average”.It means plenty of safe models are available. You just have to pick the right one.Australian New Car Assessment Program chairman Ross McArthur: says: “That, for me, is an important bit of information.“People need to know that picking a car that meets the minimum standard is not enough. You have to be more careful.”Buying a used car often means there are budget considerations, but that shouldn't rule out safety.McArthur says the study highlights affordable models and consumer should arm themselves with that knowledge.“You can get safe cars that are cheaper, and more expensive cars that don't perform as well,” McArthur says. “The key is to be selective. Look around. Don't make the decision on the first vehicle you see.”And don't always trust used-car salesmen.“You need to be properly informed. If you are informed, you are in a much better position to make a decision.”Small cars such as the well-performing 1994-2001 model Peugeot 306 start at $7000.Family cars such as the Holden Commodore VT-VX and Ford Falcon AU also score well and start at reasonable prices.The study clearly shows advances in car safety, with newer models being progressively better.For example, the Holden Commodore VN-VP series received a “worse than average” crashworthiness rating; the later VT-VZ range scored “significantly better than average”.With stricter safety standards and improved crash-test ratings, McArthur is looking forward to a time when all cars are as safe as they can be.Until then the Used Car Safety Ratings is a crucial tool to protect drivers.“I hope we get to the point where every car is a five-star rated car,” McArthur says.“But as a general rule, the newer the car, the better it performs."“But that's not always the case, so you need to look at the Used Car Safety Ratings.” The hit listHow the cars performed in both criteria - crashworthiness (occupant protection) and aggressiveness (risk to pedestrians). Best performersVolkswagen Golf (1999-2004, below)Volkswagen Passat (1999-05)Holden Astra TS (1998-05)Toyota Corolla (1998-01)Honda Accord (1991-93)Mercedes C-Class (1995-00)Peugeot 405 (1989-97) Worst performersMitsubishi Cordia (1983-87)Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-88)Mitsubishi Starwagon/Delica (1983-93/1987-93)Toyota Tarago (1983-89)Toyota Hiace/Liteace (1982-95) Crash course in car safetySmall carsBest performersVolkswagen Golf (1994-2004)Volkswagen Bora (1999-04)Peugeot 306 (1994-01)Toyota Corolla (1998-01)Holden Astra TS (1998-05, below) Worst performersVolkswagen Golf (1982-94)Toyota MR2 (1987-90)Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-87)Nissan Gazelle/Silvia (1984-86)Nissan Exa (1983-86) Medium carsBest performersBMW 3 Series E46 (1999-04)BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-03)Ford Mondeo (1995-01)Holden Vectra (1997-03)Peugeot 406 (1996-04) Worst performers Nissan Bluebird (1982-86)Mitsubishi Starion (1982-87)Holden Camira (1982-89)Daewoo Espero (1995-97)Toyota Corona (1982-88) Large carsBest performersFord Falcon AU (1998-02)Ford Falcon BA/BF (2002-05)Holden Commodore VT/VX (1997-02)Holden Commodore VY/VZ (2002-05)Toyota Camry (2002-05) Worst performersMazda 929/Luce (1982-90)Holden Commodore VN/VP (1989-93)Toyota Lexcen (1989-93)Holden Commodore VB-VL (1982-88)Mitsubishi Magna TM/TN/TP/ Sigma/V3000 (1985-90, below) People moversBest performersKia Carnival (1999-05)Mazda MPV (1994-99) Worst performersToyota Tarago (1983-89)Mitsubishi Starwagon/L300 (1983-86) Light carsBest performers Daewoo Cielo (1995-97)Daihatsu Sirion (1998-04)Holden Barina XC (2001-05) Worst performers Daewoo Kalos (2003-04)Hyundai Getz (2002-05)Suzuki Alto (1985-00) Compact 4-wheel drives Best performers Honda CR-V (1997-01)Subaru Forester (2002-05) Worst performers Holden Drover/Suzuki Sierra (1982-99)Daihatsu Rocky/Rugger (1985-98) Large 4-wheel drives Best performers Ford Explorer (2001-05)Nissan Patrol/Safari (1998/04) Worst performers Nissan Patrol (1982-87)Toyota Landcruiser (1982-89) 

The R model is expected to arrive in Australia late next year as both a sedan and a hatch, but the price has yet to be locked in. A direct-injection 3.6-litre V6 provides the punch for the R36, with 220kW on tap. It has a six-speed automated DSG manual gearbox that feeds power to the four wheels for best possible traction. The Passat R36 sedan can blast from zero to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, close to serious sports car territory. The R36 wagon also doesn't mess about, doing the same sprint in 5.8 seconds. Both cars have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Volkswagen has given the Passat's suspension an overhaul, with firmer springs and dampers aimed at giving the R36 sportier handling characteristics. Also upgraded are the brake discs and calipers in order to provide extra bite. The new Passat also has some exterior upgrades, including 18-inch alloy rims and low profile rubber. The R36 runs a body kit with a rear spoiler, side skirts and deep front and rear bumpers. The front grille has extra chrome and there are two chromed exhaust tips. Just as all other Passats, the car comes with a high level of standard equipment, but the R36 adds xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control and heated seats. The Passat is the second model to be given the R treatment, and Volkswagen is considering releasing more models in the R range. Until now, the Golf has been the only model to be developed as an R car. The R36 will be the most potent model in the Passat range. Volkswagen has also confirmed there will be no eight-cylinder Passat with the current model. The W8 version of the previous generation Passat, which arrived in Australia in 2004 with a price of $97,900, was not popular.

"The current Passat has certainly suffered from some decisions – both marketing and product – made over the past couple of years," VGA general manager for public relations Matthew Wiesner said