A Passat with Punch
Fans of all things Vee-Dub rejoice! The zip is back. Since the global storm caused by the New Beetle back in the late-1990s subsided, the German automaker has sat comfortably on its laurels, in this case the Jetta, the Passat, the Golf and the Eurovan.
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| While the other automakers were pumping out new models Volkswagen was quietly producing solid familiar vehicles, but now they've anted up with a bevy of new models including the Passat W8. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
As Japanese, European, U.S. and fellow-German manufacturers unveiled new model after new model over the past half-decade, VW has quietly gone about its business of making solid, and in some cases exciting vehicles for its loyal customer base. But even the most devout Bug-head must have been scratching said head, wondering when VW would up the ante once again.
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| While the W8 may not win over die hard Bimmer and Benz fans, the spec sheet puts them on near equal footing. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Be it known that 2003 is the year the scratching stopped. The highly anticipated -- and from early accounts for good reason -- VW Touareg SUV is finally in Canadian showrooms; 'R' sport versions are planned for all models, including the new SUV; the Phaeton luxury sedan is poised for release; and last, but certainly not least, the W8 Passat steps up to take on its uptown German competition on their sport sedan turf.
And while you'd be hard pressed to find a Bimmer or Benz owner willing to swap key fobs with a VW owner, the fact of the matter is there is little difference on the spec sheets between a 5-Series and the 2003 W8.