Also, Volkswagen makes sure the Passat wagon won't get completely out of hand by including OEM supplier Bosch's Electronic
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| Volkswagen makes sure the Passat wagon won't get completely out of hand by including OEM supplier Bosch's Electronic Stability Program (ESP). (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Stability Program (ESP) to the mix. This stability control system, used by a variety of automakers, has the ability to bring a skidding car back inline by applying the 4-wheel disc antilock brake system, wheel by wheel, while mitigating the engine's output. In addition to ESP, which comes standard on the top-tier GLX model and optional on the rest, by the way, is a traction control system termed Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR). This arrangement, which is standard equipment on all Passats, also relies upon the vehicle's antilock brake system and engine management unit to prevent wheel spin when accelerating.
The Passat's brake setup functions with perfect clarity, allowing me to apply the level of brake force intended in a
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| The Passat's antilock brake setup functions with perfect clarity. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
predictable and linear fashion. Little pedal pressure was needed to fully engage the system, including its antilock technology which cuts in fairly early in the progression to maximum braking. This is fairly typical of passenger cars favoring client comfort over high-performance.
In addition to antilock brakes, passive safety features include driver and front passenger front airbags, and driver and front passenger side airbags as standard equipment. In the US, the standard safety fare also includes a side curtain head protection system, which in Canada is optional on the GLS and standard on the GLX. All safety belts in 2004 Passats feature the latest in restraint technology, including pre-tensioning and load limiting.
