New Passat shouts 'Look at Me!'

Well? Go on - look at at her - the latest version oozes more class with stylish revamped looks.

Wine is a good example to illustrate our rather blinkered outlook. For years our chardonnay has been bad-mouthed by locals who accuse it of being awful, over-wooded paint remover reminiscent of cat pee, but meanwhile local wine-makers have long outgrown those awful over-wooded years and have for some time been producing world-class chardonnay.

Another unfortunate wine target is our very own Pinotage at which we crinkle our snob noses in horror, muttering that most of our Pinotage wines smell iffy and taste like old muddy pond water.

Yet we have long moved past that stage and local cellar masters are creating superb Pinotage such as Neethlingshof The Short Story Collection, Rijk's Reserve 2007, Pella Thomas Se Dolland 2008 and the 2009 The Owl Post.

An unfair target

Sadly this Seffrikken way of looking at people and things also poisons our opinion of cars with the result that many a good car gathers dust on showroom floors, in spite of the fact that they are really good, solid, well-built, reliable, spacious, comfortable and competitively priced vehicles.

Probably top on this list of unfair automobile targets is the Volkswagen Passat, which the local market pooh-poohs as an old codger's car - which it certainly hasn't been for many years.

OK, so it has never really been a neck-twister, but there have been (and probably always will be) uglier, duller, slower, less exciting cars than the Passat.

The latest Passat is undoubtedly the swankiest, most attractive Passat we’ve seen over here.

It was also never a hot rod, nor did it cling to the tar like its zestier sibling, the Golf GTI.

However, the real problem is that Passat has for yonks almost been too good for its own good and many people still confuse its well-built German engineering, space, comfort and conservative styling with boring.

To some extent C-Class Mercs, some Toyotas and Nissans and the Korean products in general suffer the same fate, even though, like VW, they wear badges South Africans have grown to love and respect.

However, there are other genuine mitigating factors - fuel costs, insurance, repairs and general running costs are high and there is more than a modicum of down-sizing across the local car market with the lower end of the market showing the biggest growth - which is why the Jetta attracts more buyers than Passat.

We're a bunch of snobs

But let us also not forget that at heart South Africans generally are real snobs, particularly about where we live, what we wear, what wines we drink, where we go on holiday, which schools our children go to, which restaurants we frequent - and especially which cars we drive... So it is little wonder that our roads have almost as many Mercs, Beemers and Audis as sardine can Toyota taxis.

But there is another collective culprit: VW South Africa, who themselves should also shoulder a substantial portion of blame for the Passat's jaded image and poor sales figures because it has not done much to enhance the brand with mind-changing marketing and advertising, seemingly happy with its "senior market" profile.

However, the suits at VW now admit they could have done more and are committed to changing the hearts and minds of the local buying market with a zestier marketing onslaught to back the latest Passat.

A classy looking vehicle with a great ride.

Moreover, they certainly have the product to do it with, as I found out when the latest model was introduced to the local motoring media in KZN recently.

I drove the new Passat along a lovely low traffic route through the picturesque midlands and both my co-driver and I enjoyed the car's comfortable ride, keenness to trot and confident road manners.

Although the latest version oozes more class with stylish revamped looks, an upgraded interior, tightened suspension and some new glitzy features and techno-whiz, it is in essence not all that different from the outgoing model, even down to the familiar 1.8 litre turbo engine.

But having said that, the latest Passat is undoubtedly the swankiest, most attractive Passat we've seen over here with features such as Rest Assist Fatigue Detection, High-beam Control Light Assist, Coming/leaving Home "lights on" Function; Dynamic Cornering Bi-Xenon Headlights, Keyless Entry, Press and Drive Key and an Electric Swivelling Tow Hitch - all being plugged in the car's new advertising campaign.

One thing is for sure, this Passat is armed with enough ammunition to go to war with anything in its class and even those who are rated more upmarket, including its own Audi sisters.

Just a glance at the specifications and fancy kit list reveals an arsenal which includes features such as ABS anti-lock brakes with BAS (Brake Assist System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), including EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (traction control), Electronic parking brake with auto hold function, a host of airbags, Isofix child seat fixtures for two outer rear seats, dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning, fully adjustable steering column; a cooled, illuminated and lockable glove-box, rear seats with 60:40 split, electric windows, RCD 310 radio/MP3 compatible CD player with eight speakers and AUX-in socket, alloy wheels with 215/55 R16 tyres, "Nardo" fabric seats with active climate control system, rain sensor and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors... and more.

Handsome - and quiet

Clearly the latest Passat's features, overall quality and refined ride are pushing the boundaries of the upper medium class segment of the market and edging it ever closer to the premium segment and beyond.

It is quite a strikingly handsome vehicle and the ride is seriously classy in a cabin that has been given an entirely fresh new look and feel.

One of the first noticeable improvements in the new Passat is the peace and quiet in the living quarters, thanks to a windscreen made from an acoustic film layer wedged between layers of glass, and also from improved sound-deadening material which keeps out engine noises, even when travelling at pace.

There's a good choice of engines from which to choose.

click to enlarge

So, overall the car is classy, bordering on luxurious, and it looks modern and stylish. But does it have the go to match the show?

Most definitely and buyers have a choice of 1.8 litre TSI 118kW and 2.0 litre TDI 103kW engines and with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes.

The petrol engine is quite perky with maximum torque of 250Nm kicking in from just 1500rpm and maximum power of 118kW available at 5000rpm.

While it is not a robot racer it will do the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds and gallop gamely on to a top speed of 220km/h.

Fuel consumption is good for a mid-sized vehicle with combined fuel usage of 6.9 litres/100km for the manual and 7.0 litres/100km for DSG. Emissions are also low at 160g/km (162g/km for the DSG).

Frugal on the fuel

The 2.0 TDI common rail diesel engine is refined, economical, clean and amazingly quiet even though it pushes out 103kW at 4200rpm and 320Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500rpm.

Like the petrol version the diesel is also available with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearbox.

The dash from zero to 100km/h takes 9.8 seconds and top speed is given as of 210km/h. Fuel consumption remains frugal with a combined figure of 5.6 litres/100km (6.4 litres/100km for DSG) and CO2 emissions of 147g/km (168g/km for DSG).

We drove both models during the Media introduction and although diesel is not usually my first choice I prefer the oil-burning version in the Passat. It really pulls like a train and feels more powerful than the figures suggest.

I have always enjoyed VW transmissions and its DSG auto/manual shift is a pleasure to use. It is quick and slick, whether left to do its own thing in automatic or whether you prefer to play with the flappies on the steering wheel.

The park assist is a great help in those tight situations.

click to enlarge

The basic structure of the Passat's suspension system is carried over from the previous generation but it has been tweaked to produce a more upmarket ride and better road-holding as we soon found out on the badly pot-holed stretches of road for which this country is becoming infamous.

The light-weight suspension is the basic good formula of MacPherson up front and four-link at the rear which works smoothly (and without thumping histrionics) with the electro-mechanical steering set-up.

Unlike many similar systems, the Passat's steering adapts to driving style and road conditions, road cambers and cross winds and although it is still not as responsive as that of a BMW, its 'feel' suits the Passat to a T.

With all the fancy kit to assist the stopping power it is no surprise that the car slams to a stop on the proverbial tickey, much to the wide-eyed amazement (and relief!) of a group of young school boys who decided to scoot across the road when we were just a few metres away from them.

Although it was never designed to be driven as though it has just been stolen the fancy German-wagen walks proud when you treat it rough in the twisties and even its granny ESP was slow to poke her nose into the way we chose to go around corners.

However, where the ESP's intervention would really be appreciated is when it acts as a potential life-saver for trailer and caravan-haulers by stepping in to help prevent the car skidding or spinning off the road and although we didn't have the opportunity to put it to the test, VW says it is particularly helpful in wet conditions.

When a trailer begins to yaw the ESP system will automatically reduce or cut engine power and apply the brakes to appropriate wheels to oppose the snaking motion and to stabilise the vehicle/trailer combination.

'Feeling a bit dozy?

Once stability is achieved the brakes and engine power return to normal control. During the automatic braking process the brake lights are turned on without the driver touching the brake pedal.

Another feature which VW is quite proud of is the car's fatigue detection system which we didn't put to the test, although some motoring journalists based in Europe did try it with mixed results.

VW says for the first 15 minutes of a journey this system analyses the driver's characteristic steering and driving behaviour. Further into the journey the system continually evaluates signals such as steering angle, use of pedals and transverse acceleration.

If the monitored parameters indicate a deviation from the initial behaviour recorded at the beginning of the trip, then waning concentration is assumed and warnings issued.

The system warns the driver with an acoustic signal lasting five seconds, while a visual message also appears in the instrument cluster recommending a break. If the driver does not take a break within the next 15 minutes, the warning is repeated.

Overall, very good quality and a range of extras to satisfy even the most demanding of customers.

click to enlarge

This assistance system cannot detect so-called 'microsleep' but instead focuses on detecting early phases of lapses in concentration. This means it is much less costly than an eye movement monitoring based system - and VW says it will even function when the driver is wearing sunglasses or driving in the dark.

As is the trend in modern motoring buyers have the choice of a fancy selection of add-ons, with much depending on wallet thickness. These include: Electric swivelling tow bar, electric rear sun-blind, front fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof, satellite navigation, electric 12-way driver seat with memory function and Vienna leather seats with active climate control system.

But even bog standard this new Passat is a bold step in the right direction with more than enough high-tech features and common-sense appeal to attract younger buyers, particularly those with small families who don't want to spend more on a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi.

This latest Passat is a class act. All VWSA now has to do is to go out there and sell it. This time round there is no excuse for it has enough charisma to charm even the most cynical.

The models and prices are:
1.8 TSI Comfortline R294 000
1.8 TSI Comfortline DSG R309 000
2.0 TDI Comfortline R309 500
2.0 TDI Comfortline DSG R324 500

The prices include a three-year/120 000km manufacturer warranty and a five-year/100 000km Volkswagen Automotion Plan.

All models have a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000km service intervals.

New Passat Specifications

2011 VW Passat

2011 VW Passat (no sound - but enjoy the view)

Volkswagen Passat 2011 Interior