Spirited Sedan
Passat Psyche
"High on Engineering. Low on ego." That's how VW is pitching the 2007 Passat; and after spending time behind the wheel of the stark, white edition I tested recently- I get it. As I mingled with daily commuters and Schumacher wannabes, I didn't feel my auto-machismo was threatened by driving Volkswagen's neo-conservative 2007 Passat- even though it wasn't painted irate red. In the new Passat, which hasn't changed for 2007, Volkswagen has redefined "bland", giving it spirit and internal fortitude while making it something to be proud of.
The Passat is built in the German Motherland. It's a pseudo-luxury front-wheel-drive, five-occupant mid-size sedan that sits above the smaller, more plebian Jetta in VW's foodchain. Although Volkswagen promotes the absence of ego, I find the Passat visually appealing. It's a well-balanced specimen that draws heavily upon VW design traits first observed in the much under-appreciated Phaeton. Like the Phaeton, the Passat is quite a large vehicle, pushing its mid-size rating to the max. The extra inches net plenty of limb and torso space, not to mention a generous boot, enhanced with a split, folding rear seat.
Passat Power
In Canada, a choice of two powerplants is offered: a turbocharged 2.0 litre inline four-cylinder unit placing 200 horsepower underfoot and an optional, 3.6 litre V6 engine increasing output to 280 horsepower. Both engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed Tiptronic-equipped automatic transmission. VW's 4Motion, all-wheel-drive technology is available with the V6 engine.
This week's tester is powered by the smaller of the two engines but as with some smaller people I know, it projects a big attitude. Complementing its 200 horsepower is 207 pounds-feet of torque, the combination of which is surprisingly potent. Off-the-line power builds very quickly with little noticeable turbo lag to detract from the Passat's strong showing in acceleration. Performance doesn't diminish once underway. Its highly polished four-banger hustles the Passat past slower vehicles with impressive kick when the throttle is hammered.
Whether travelling on city streets or open highways, the wide array of gearing provided by six cogs quickly places the Passat's 2.0T powerplant into the business section of its power band, allowing this little mill to happily greet its redline without wheezing or feeling overstressed. Along the way, liquid-smooth gear changes arrive at appropriate intervals, helping make the 2.0T/Tiptronic combo a delightful powertrain- and that's an endorsement from someone not often impressed with four-bangers fused to automatic transmissions. VW literature assigns a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of 7.4 seconds to the 2.0T/Tiptronic pairing.
Passat Psyche
"High on Engineering. Low on ego." That's how VW is pitching the 2007 Passat; and after spending time behind the wheel of the stark, white edition I tested recently- I get it. As I mingled with daily commuters and Schumacher wannabes, I didn't feel my auto-machismo was threatened by driving Volkswagen's neo-conservative 2007 Passat- even though it wasn't painted irate red. In the new Passat, which hasn't changed for 2007, Volkswagen has redefined "bland", giving it spirit and internal fortitude while making it something to be proud of.
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| The Passat strongest point is its driving dynamics. |
The Passat is built in the German Motherland. It's a pseudo-luxury front-wheel-drive, five-occupant mid-size sedan that sits above the smaller, more plebian Jetta in VW's foodchain. Although Volkswagen promotes the absence of ego, I find the Passat visually appealing. It's a well-balanced specimen that draws heavily upon VW design traits first observed in the much under-appreciated Phaeton. Like the Phaeton, the Passat is quite a large vehicle, pushing its mid-size rating to the max. The extra inches net plenty of limb and torso space, not to mention a generous boot, enhanced with a split, folding rear seat.
Passat Power
In Canada, a choice of two powerplants is offered: a turbocharged 2.0 litre inline four-cylinder unit placing 200 horsepower underfoot and an optional, 3.6 litre V6 engine increasing output to 280 horsepower. Both engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed Tiptronic-equipped automatic transmission. VW's 4Motion, all-wheel-drive technology is available with the V6 engine.
This week's tester is powered by the smaller of the two engines but as with some smaller people I know, it projects a big attitude. Complementing its 200 horsepower is 207 pounds-feet of torque, the combination of which is surprisingly potent. Off-the-line power builds very quickly with little noticeable turbo lag to detract from the Passat's strong showing in acceleration. Performance doesn't diminish once underway. Its highly polished four-banger hustles the Passat past slower vehicles with impressive kick when the throttle is hammered.
Whether travelling on city streets or open highways, the wide array of gearing provided by six cogs quickly places the Passat's 2.0T powerplant into the business section of its power band, allowing this little mill to happily greet its redline without wheezing or feeling overstressed. Along the way, liquid-smooth gear changes arrive at appropriate intervals, helping make the 2.0T/Tiptronic combo a delightful powertrain- and that's an endorsement from someone not often impressed with four-bangers fused to automatic transmissions. VW literature assigns a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of 7.4 seconds to the 2.0T/Tiptronic pairing.
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| The power output is more than sufficient. |