Volkswagen Passat 2006 News

A vote by 75 motoring journalists from 22 countries has awarded the compact prestige car the World Car of the Year award for 2015.It finished on top of a 24-car field and eventually beat the two other finalists, the Ford Mustang and Volkswagen Passat.The other big prizes for 2015, Green Car of the Year and Performance Car of the Year, went to the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and the Mercedes-AMG GT coupe.The winners were announced at the New York Motor Show today at an event hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and Autoneum at the culmination of a six-month voting process.The C-Class delivers levels of refinement, luxury, safety, ride and handling that challenge best-in-class.The awards are in their 11th year and previous winners include the Audi A6, BMW 3 Series, Lexus LS460 and Volkswagen Golf, Polo and Up.To be eligible for the overall World Car award, candidate cars must have become available for sale on at least two continents between January 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015.The WCOTY wins by Mercedes-Benz follow its victories in the Green Car contest in 2007 with the E320 Bluetec and 2012 with the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and its Luxury Car success with the S Class in 2014.“We are extremely delighted of winning the honour of World Car of the Year,” says the chairman of Daimler, Dr Dieter Zetsche.The WCOTY victory follows a similar success for the C-Class in the CarsGuide Car of the Year award.The WCOTY judging panel says: “Taking its design and technological cues from the S-Class, the C-Class employs an all-new aluminium/steel hybrid platform and updated rear-drive powertrains that delivers levels of refinement, luxury, safety, ride and handling that challenge best-in-class.” WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015Overall winner: Mercedes-Benz C-ClassGreen Car: BMW i8Performance Car: Mercedes-AMG GTLuxury Car: Mercedes-Benz S CoupeDesign: Citroen CactusPREVIOUS WORLD COTY WINNERS:2014: Audi A32013: Volkswagen Golf2012: Volkswagen Up2011: Nissan Leaf2010: Volkswagen Polo2009: Volkswagen Golf2008: Mazda22007: Lexus LS4602006: BMW 3 Series2005: Audi A6

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. 

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.

It is stylish, refined and extremely enjoyable and competent, be it loaded to the gills on a family getaway or belting its way around a racetrack. Powered by the velvet-smooth, four-cylinder 2.0-litre FSI turbo, the Passat has all the legs necessary for long-distance travel and enough off-the-line punch to compete well in the city ratrace. It also returns reasonable fuel economy. Most judges gave the Passat a tick for its dynamics, a bigger tick for its packaging, and the biggest tick of all for the value it represents as a prestige European brand. Dynamically it lost nothing to anything except the Porsche - which is an outstanding effort for any front-driver, let alone a front-drive station wagon. Opinion was split on the pale contrast interior trim colour scheme and the performance of the six-speed automatic, but that was as far as the criticisms went. In any other year the Passat may well have taken home the silverware.

Now it's down to the judges to decide which of the 10 finalists will win the award to be announced in a special edition of CARSguide next Friday.Our top 10 has been achieved after an extensive search and culling process covering all cars launched in Australia in the past year.The judging criteria included assessing styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build quality and performance.Our motoring experts, motoring editors and senior motoring writers from The Daily Telegraph, Herald-Sun in Melbourne, The Courier-Mail in Brisbane, The Advertiser in Adelaide, The Mercury in Hobart and The Sunday Times in Perth extensively tested the 10 finalists earlier this month. The three-day back-to-back testing, included a full day's driving at Wakefield Park in Goulburn.The finalists were driven in a wide mix of environments and road conditions, including wet, dry, city, freeway, highway and country roads.Fiat Punto EmotionJudge Keith Didham's comment:Fiat returned to the Australian market in August after a 17-year gap. The Punto is one of Europe's biggest sellers, but can that success be replicated here?Fiat reopened the batting Down Under with four variants, with a choice of five-door or three-door manual hatches powered by 1.3 or 1.9-litre turbo diesel or a 1.4-litre petrol motor. Fiat last month added two more smart sequential automatic variants to round out the range to six. Prices range from $19,990 for the Dynamic to $27,990 for the better-equipped Emotion as tested here.The cute Giorgetto Giugiaro styling comes with a strong hint of Maserati about its nose, while the cabin is unmistakably Italian, so the car appeals to the buyer looking for something out of left field from the bevy of small-car clones. The Punto's biggest attractions, however, are its frugal fuel economy, comfortable four-seat cabin and five-star crash rating.The perky diesel feels robust once you get it up and running and riding the torque wave.It's a strong performer, with plenty of grip and good dynamics, but the trade off can be a harsh ride, while the steering sometimes lacks feedback.The Punto is premium priced, but standard kit includes electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, cloth trim, cruise control, a decent CD audio system, remote locking, airconditioning and power windows.Holden Astra CDTiJudge Bryan Littlely's comment:There is a very straightforward reason for the Holden Astra CDTi's inclusion in the CARSguide Car Of The Year Award - and that is its diesel engine.The stylish, imported Astra is the first diesel passenger car to wear the badge of an Australian manufacturer in more than 20 years, a wise move by Holden given the surge in popularity of diesel powered vehicles amid rising fuel prices.But the Astra is an attractive option for much more than its powerplant. It has the styling that would appeal to a wide range of car buyers and, at $29,990 for the six-speed manual, it is very competitive with European brands on price.The Holden Astra offers good ride and handling in a comfortable and practical package that is fun to drive - if not all glitz and glamour - and it certainly proved its worth during the judging.Holden still has some issues to overcome with this car if it is to convert car buyers from petrol to diesel but, overall, it offers a solid package and a good entry point for buyers wanting to make the shift to diesel-powered vehicles.Hyundai Elantra EliteJudge Kevin Hepworth's comment:Once the whipping boy of poor build quality, Hyundai has turned around its reputation to the point where it is now winning quality surveys in major international markets.A fine example of that new attention to detail was the action the company took after criticism of the Elantra's woolly steering at its Australian release. Within days a team of engineers was flown from Korea to recalibrate the cars.While it is still not perfect it is a huge improvement and a credit to Hyundai's determination to improve wherever it can. And while there may still be the odd question mark over styling - the curved crease-line down the car's flanks comes readily to mind - the Hyundai Elantra Elite offers a comprehensive package for its $24,990 sticker price.Not the least of the attractions in the Elite is the included safety pack of electronic stability control and six airbags.The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, coupled to a five-speed manual, puts out a reasonable 105kW and the Elantra offers a good quality ride for a car in its segment.The finalists1: Audi Q7 TDI 4WD, $85,7002: Fiat Punto Emotion diesel $27,9903: Ford Focus XR5 5-cyl turbo hatch, $35,9904: Holden Astra CDTi diesel $29,9905: Holden VE Calais V8 V-series sedan, $58,4906: Hyundai Elantra Elite $24,9907: Mazda3 MPS 4-cylinder turbo hatch, $39,9908: Porsche Cayman S 2-door coupe, $148,5009: Toyota Aurion Presara V6 sedan, $49,99010: VW Passat wagon 4-cylinder turbo, $44,990The winner will be announced next Friday.

After an exhaustive search and culling process through all cars launched in Australia over the past year, our motoring experts have selected their top 10 best cars to become this year's finalists.Utilising input from motoring editors and senior motoring writers from The Daily Telegraph, Melbourne Herald-Sun, Brisbane Courier-Mail, Adelaide Advertiser, Hobart Mercury and Perth Sunday Times, CARSguide has begun the search for Australia's car of the year - the best of the best for 2006.Last week the 10 finalists were tested extensively over three days, including a full day's examination at Wakefield Park at Goulburn, to find a winner.Judged on criteria ranging across styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build quality and performance, the finalists were dissected and scored in a variety of situations.With votes being counted, today we introduce the first four finalists as we head to the announcement of 2006 CARSguide Car of the Year on December 1. Three more finalists will be revealed next Friday.AUDI Q7 TDIJudge Neil Dowling's comment:Historically, vehicles like the five-metre-long Audi Q7 rarely make Car of the Year contention. That it made it into the top 10 is an outstanding achievement.Partially, it was down to Audi's remarkably effective trans-continental promo in a fleet of 15 Q7s. The vehicle shrugged at Australia's Outback and showcased its reliability, build-quality and sheer guts.The Q7 diesel boasts high levels of comfort, space, fuel economy, towing capacity, safety, driving dynamics and features. Though not demonstrating new technology, the Q7 package is impressive.Big it may be but the Q7 - particularly in its turbo-diesel version - is spectacularly efficient. Few SUVs come close.HOLDEN VE CALAISJudge Stuart Martin's comment: The most important new car launched this year was never in any doubt of being in the running. Stronger, faster and better by a mile, V8 Calais V has what it takes to rule the local large car roost and take on the Euros.Although the V8 can return good fuel figures, it's a little thirsty when pressed, but the quality of Holden's billion-dollar baby makes up for it.The chassis provides ride compliance with handling composure, with ample room for adults within its more compact-looking shape.Track time allows the big Aussie sedan to show off its new-found balance, with all-new steering and front suspension a worthwhile part of the engineering budget. The VE package is a major step forward for Holden.TOYOTA AURION PRESARAJudge Paul Gover's comment: Australia's No.1 carmaker was always going to get something on to the shortlist. For 2006, there were three obvious contenders: the all-new RAV4 four-wheel drive, the family Camry and the V6 Aurion.Each made a case, but with only 10 spots overall it was the Aurion that was best of the best for brand T. The Aurion is the first realistic showroom rival to the big-six heroes, Falcon and Commodore, and arrived after an extensive local development program.It shares basics with the Camry but has unique styling, a 3.5-litre V6 with six-speed automatic and changes to many minor things, including the seats and steering column.The highlights include 200kW of power and fuel economy of 9.9 litres/100km, numbers that trump the base Ford and Holden on both fronts. Prices start at $34,990 and there are five models, including two Sportivo cars with tuned suspension and a body kit.Toyota will also have a TRD Aurion with a supercharged engine producing around 230kW, even tauter suspension, huge brakes and more aggressive body kit, as previewed at the Sydney motor show.VW PASSAT WAGONJudge Kevin Hepworth's comment: The very idea of a family wagon making it to the top 10 in Car of the Year judging could be bewildering to many who remember them only as semi-industrial load-carriers built off sedan platforms.Well, welcome to the 21st century.VW's Passat wagon is a stylish, refined and extremely enjoyable way to pack up a family of five with luggage.Powered by the velvet-smooth, four-cylinder 2.0-litre FSI turbo, the Passat has all the legs necessary for long-distance travel and enough off-the-line punch to compete well in the city rat-race.It also returns reasonable fuel economy.For $44,990 (plus on-road costs) the Passat comes stacked with safety and comfort inclusions - you have to respect a car that has an umbrella holder (complete with umbrella) built into the driver's door.There is also the added prestige of a European badge.

Enter the Volkswagen Passat. Despite its horrendous name (come on, it sounds like you are spitting every time the word is uttered), it's a car that just makes you want to say "thank you" whenever you get in and out of it.The Passat, quite simply, is nice. It's safe, pretty and comfortable but doesn't necessarily stand out from the crowd. It doesn't take risks and, to use a Big Brother term, travels under the radar. That's not necessarily a bad thing, by the way.There's no reason why a car can't deliver everything you need without shouting it from the rooftops. But the Passat does have a couple of quirky features. For one, there is no key. And, no, I don't need to rub two twigs together to get the thing firing. It's more about the technology.You simply slot a fancy rectangle-like gadget into a slot alongside the steering wheel and you're off.There's also no handbrake but rather a push-button park brake, a device more cars should adapt because it saves space and muscle power. For lazy drivers like myself, the Passat is ideal. I've often been accused of not flicking the indicator on for long enough to change lanes and, at the other end of the spectrum, sometimes leaving it on until prompted by a passing motorist.With a slight flick of the indicator, it indicates three times and switches itself off. Brilliant.The dreaded windscreen-wiper dilemma is also taken care of. We've all been there. We turn the windscreen wipers on when it starts to rain. It stops; we turn it off. It starts again; we turn it on and then hear that dreaded screech noise as it struggles with a now-dry windscreen. Solution? Sensor wipers; they take all the guesswork out of it.I have marvelled at such inventions as illuminated cup holders but the Passat adds its own take on what has now become a car staple. Its cup holders come with two sizes which you can alter, depending on the width of your cup or bottle. Nice.Back-seat passengers are also taken care of with a flip-down resting tray complete with two flip-out cup holders. All my passengers needed was a tray of fine cheeses to complete the picture but, hey, it's me you're talking about. KFC drive-thru comin' right up.The Passat doesn't scrimp on room and comfortably seats five, but it's the boot ... it's massive. In fact, if I ever ended up in the doghouse, I could easily set up camp in that boot. But I hope to never end up in the doghouse – and neither will the Passat.LOVE IT LEAVE ITVolkswagen Passat 2.0 TFSIPrice: $44,990LOVE ITNo key, just a simple push-in, push-out gadget that's big and easy to find in the handbag.Flip-down resting arm in the back seat adds that little extra comfort.Automatic dimming rear-vision mirror – a subtle feature.LEAVE ITShape. It's nice, but it doesn't have that "wow factor".