Wait, they’ve launched this?
Not exactly. It’ll only be officially launched on 16th November, but Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) arranged a media drive beforehand. It’s important for them in a lot of ways; one of which is that this is the first locally-assembled MQB-based car by the company. Or to be more precise, by the brand.
Okay. Now, what about the Passat?
There’ll be three variants in total: the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, the first two using a 1.8-litre engine while the latter with a 2.0. The engine’s code is EA888, thus the same as the 1.8 and 2.0 of before but thoroughly fondled with. The same with the gearbox – both with new internals.
Yeah? Sure?
Apparently, spy shots of this car which some may have seen are of test mules that has been running around the country for more than a year. These units have recorded up to 200k kilometres and the company has given the drivetrain the A-OK. No excessive use of oil. No oil seal problem. No problems.
The 1.8-litre puts out 180ps while the 2.0 delivers 220ps. That’s 178 and 217 in brake horsepower talk. It all goes out from a 7-speed auto (dry clutch) for the 1.8, and the wet clutch 6-speed for the 2.0.
How does this new drivetrain perform, then?
It’s been a while since spending time in a VW, but luckily the last one was a B7 Passat. This is important point no. 1 – the last previous gen Passat was never short on power. Hence, I doubt anyone ever treated it as an M3. At best, maybe high speed highway runs. The new 2.0 engine does not immediately feel like a major upgrade in terms of brute power. I’d say the same for the 1.8 too. That’s not a bad thing of course (refer to my point of the B7 not being short on power).
This is important point no. 2: the B8 is lighter, up to 70kg just from more extensive use of lighter materials. And this is where it counts.
Good at the corners you mean?
No doubt. Less lateral force (from less weight) means the tyre work less to keep traction. Of course, being wider and lower helps too. Then again, this is a first impression report; hopefully we’ll get to experience the full stretch of the chassis’ talent in due time. As it is, I am positively impressed.
Still, i’m not about to put money for a sedan that’s just good at the corners…
Fair enough. The Passat offers practicality too. Interior is more than decent, there’s plenty of headroom and there’s a three-zone air-conditioning system (two front passengers and rear passenger). The boot is massive, offers powered closing function plus has foot remote (you know – poke your foot underneath the rear bumper for a second and the tailgate opens).
Parked it under the hot sun? No problem, you can open (and close) all the windows remotely. All this even in the Comfortline version too. (These features are in the Comfortline and Highline. Trendline not present during the drive, unfortunately)
Go on…
Dashboard is new and fresh (with wood trim for the top-spec variant). I particularly like the air-cond vents that cleverly looks as if it runs half the length of the dash. The 2.0-litre gets the TFT virtual instrument cluster as well, which no other segment/price competitor has. This also means that the 1.8-litre cars don’t even get a built-in satellite navigation system.
Other features that are exclusive to the 2.0-litre includes rear sunshade, lane assist and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). The latter allows for choosing between Normal, Comfort, Eco, Sport and Individual settings.
So, worth the price?
Not even a question really, since the price has not been decided. Price will be key of course. In the one hand, the B8 Passat is almost peerless. A full-size sedan with Golf GTI performance? Really? But in the other, reliability may actually be a four letter word according to some with ownership experience.
In any case, you’ll learn of its price as we do, come Nov 16.