2006 Volkswagen Passat

teevee247 · Aug 8, 2005

2006 Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen wants us to think of the new, sixth-generation Passat as a "marvel of German engineering." That's a debate best left to the engineers. All I know is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 is marvelous to drive.

Appropriately, that drive was in Germany, and much of it was spent on the autobahn, an infallible seat-of-the-pants test venue. It measures acceleration, braking, steering and driver comfort like no other public highway. In the wrong car, it can be a very scary place. In the new VW Passat? Piece of Black Forest cake.

After just a few miles of unrestricted autobahn between Wolfsburg and Hannover, the Passat 3.6 showed its mettle as a solid, powerful sport sedan in the best European tradition. And it reaffirmed my contention that the finest cars in the world are engineered just an on-ramp away from the challenges of the world's fastest public roads.

Completely new, from the umbrella holder in the driver door on out, this larger, stronger Passat was built to reflect all the best "traditional VW qualities": a decent value, a fun-to-drive demeanor, and plenty of good old German engineering. It appears to be all of that, but hopefully the 2006 Passat also will avoid being caught in those recent, less agreeable aspects of VW ownership, poor reliability and lackluster dealer service.

The lineup for the U.S. is comprised of a turbocharged four-cylinder base version and a second model powered by a new V6.

At launch this summer, the 2006 Passat is available with front-wheel drive and VW's new 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo, which is replacing the acclaimed 1.8T in VW and Audi engine bays. It's a terrific engine with lots of torque (207 pound-feet), and mates nicely to a six-speed manual transmission in Value Edition and 2.0T models. A six-speed Tiptronic is optional.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, the 2.0T will be joined by the Passat 3.6, powered by a newly developed narrow-angle V6 with an output of 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. It will also be front-wheel drive, and a six-speed Tiptronic will be the only transmission choice.

In the spring of 2006 there will be a wagon version, and the 3.6 will spawn an all-wheel-drive Passat 4Motion toward midyear.

Entry price for the 3.6 is $29,950. Fully loaded, the cost can run close to $40,000, but that's still a bargain when compared to similarly sized models from VW's German cousins in Stuttgart, Ingolstadt and Munich.

Every Volkswagen Passat comes with an impressive list of standard equipment, including A/C, an eight-speaker CD/MP3/stereo, electronic parking brake, tire-pressure monitoring system, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, rear passenger vents for A/C and heat, 60/40 folding rear seats with pass-through, power outside mirrors, power windows and door locks, anti-theft alarm, cruise control, multifunction trip computer, three auxiliary power outlets, and leatherette seating surfaces.

Passenger safety is covered by a sophisticated mix of active and passive elements: six airbags, crash-active headrests, four-wheel discs with ABS and BrakeAssist, Electronic Stabilization Program, Anti-Slip Program, and Electronic Differential Lock. Additional safety elements include pedals that retract away from the driver in a crash and Daytime Running Lights. Rear side thorax airbags are an option.

Although the 3.6s we drove were preproduction cars and heavy rains fell, we were still able to get a sense of the car's improved handling. We noticed the tightness of the platform, a benefit of the new Passat's 56-percent stiffer body structure (best torsional rigidity in class, says VW). Other factors that contributed to the sporty drive are a wider track (by 1.5 inches) and a new suspension, which includes a slick four-link setup at the rear.

A surprisingly deep rumble, sounding much more V8 than V6, rolled out from behind the 3.6 when I first shoved the key in the slot. I shot a surprised look at VW's technical crew and received the smug looks of those who knew my reaction was coming. Impressive. And once the throttle is fully applied, the 3.6-liter is not at all shy about announcing its full potential.

The six-speed Tiptronic gearbox seems particularly effective for delivering the V6's 280 hp. No stumbles, no wavering, just a steady pulse of power followed by a silken snick to the next gear. Feedback from the powertrain, steering and brakes is standard VW; that is, it's nigh perfect.

Suspension calibration in the 3.6 is decidedly weighted toward sporty driving. Body roll is muted, and the squat and dive which plagued the previous generation of the Passat is completely absent.

The test cars were equipped with the optional 18-inch wheels and tires, which magnified a slight chop from the suspension when the road got a little rough, but over smooth pavement the only upset in the quiet cabin was some wind noise through the preproduction door seals.

ORIGINAL STORY : http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=106641#9

e_andree · Aug 8, 2005

I drove it. Its an incredible car!

teevee247 · Aug 8, 2005

Yah, it looks great, i'll have to go test drive one

01rollas · Aug 8, 2005

the car does look good except for the rear it looks too sporty for a car that is more on the luxury side.

UKO · Aug 8, 2005

but they got power to back up the luxury.

01rollas · Aug 8, 2005

bring me one and i will have fun with him. though not right now after i get the tranny fixed.

Laz Z Kay · Aug 8, 2005

Saw one the other day, it looks alright.

XS PSI · Aug 17, 2005

like it.....like it a lot.....

Corolla DX-R · Aug 21, 2005

the rear is fugly

gain guide · Aug 23, 2005

That looks yummy so as the VW Phaeton. Can anyone post the latest picture of the Phaeton?

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2006 Volkswagen Passat

teevee247 Well-Known Member

e_andree E

teevee247 Well-Known Member

01rollas New Member

UKO Jon

01rollas New Member

Laz Z Kay "n00B, be kind"

XS PSI New Member

Corolla DX-R AE100

gain guide New Member

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2006 Volkswagen Passat

teevee247 Well-Known Member

e_andree E

teevee247 Well-Known Member

01rollas New Member

UKO Jon

01rollas New Member

Laz Z Kay "n00B, be kind"

XS PSI New Member

Corolla DX-R AE100

gain guide New Member

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