Our Cars: Volkswagen Passat Sport – Week 2
Easing into things nicely
By Shahzad Sheikh
9-15th Dec 2012 – week 1 report / week 3-5 report
It’s been a quiet week for the Passat. It took me to Abu Dhabi for the launch of the new Cadillac ATS – read my review here – and spent overnight in the Yas Viceroy hotel. The run to Abu Dhabi was easy and comfy in the big VW with fuel economy improving and the still-new engine freeing up further.
Along the way I tried to use the Sat Nav map as a reference, and whilst you can programme it in English without issue, the actual place-names displayed on the map itself are all in Arabic. I couldn’t figure out how to change this, and posting the issue on Facebook seemed to confirmed that other owners had the same issue. I guess it needs a dealer update to change back.
As mentioned now that the engine is loosening up, it’s getting friskier and torque steer is becoming a little more apparent when flooring the throttle out of a corner – something that a lot of modern front-wheel drive cars work hard to hide from the driver. I don’t mind it personally, it allows me to feel what the front wheels are doing, and at least gives a sense of a real mechanical connection there.
The rest of the week it’s spent parked up, as I’ve been cruising around in the new BMW 750 Li, a supreme luxury car. It’ll be interesting to get back in the Passat after the Beemer is taken away very shortly.
Check back next week for another report, meanwhile follow us on Facebook.com/MotoringMiddleEast for more regular updates!
Do you own a new Passat? Why don’t you let us know how you’re getting on with it below. Or even better, let us have your review of the car – email to MME@MotoringME.com with pictures!
Drove the 2013 Passat 2.0 TDi as a commuter car: Was a sheer pleasure to drive (coming from a BMW 550i) for a 4-cyl family sedan comparing it to its peers (Camry, Accord, Altima) The motors pulls strong and hard, and you wouldn’t even know its a diesel unless you stepped out. Cabin refinements are expected Euro refinement level, however a ad bit of lack of detail which is a fair balance considering the price-point. A strong contender to take over Camry’s #1 spot. However cost of ownership would be significantly higher in this segment, and buyers would be more concerned about this factor. Overall excellent value, refinement and conservative refined styling make it my top choice.
Just an observation. Regarding the engine, isn’t the 2.5L five-cylinder found in this car the same engine which you’ll find, in turbocharged form, under the bonnet of an Audi RS3 and TTRS? I could be mistaken but that connection with those sporty Audis could give the Passat an edge over the Camry.
Then again, this is a completely different market sector and, considering how the Passat and Camry seem to be neck and neck at the moment, I’m guessing the deciding factor will turn out to be how the maintenance costs of the two cars compare with each other. I never thought I’d say this but – bring on the first service!
[Shahzad] Yes Sajid, I think you are right about the relation between the engines, but this is an older unit. As for servicing I won’t be able to tell you from experience, because despite this being a new car with only 1463km on the clock, the service indicator is showing the next service at 13,600km or 336 days! I won’t have the car that long. Nonetheless, I’ve asked VW for the servicing tariffs and will post them with the next update.