Volkswagen Passat was the first car launched by VW in India under its own name and now they have gone ahead and revamped it. Though it was launched with a two engine option now there is only one engine option available and that is the 4 cylinder 1798 cc TSI diesel engine complaint with the BS4 statuettes. It shares this engine with the sister concern Skoda's Superb and its one hell of a performer. This is aided by a 6 speed manual transmission which is sporty and easy to handle but no automatic transmission is available. Passat has passed through many design changes through the years and the new version available in India looks stunningly good. The massive V-shaped Volkswagen grille which is stylishly designed in attractive chrome grabs the attention at first sight. The chrome is inducted in all things including the radiator grills and frame. The rectangular Xenon headlights add an intense gaze to the car.
The16 inch alloy wheels add to the overall sheen. The LED rectangular-shaped tail-lamps give the rear a high tech and complete look. Passat is what we call the luxury. The seats are large and comfortable with adequate leg room and shoulder room. But the Passat is more a comfortable 4 seater than a five seater; this is due to the small bump like arrangement in the back seat. Front seats boast of an electric 12 way adjustment. There is a multi function touch display on the strikingly handsome dashboard. There is a touch screen stereo also included which is assisted by a six cd changer. There are AC vents in the rear and plenty of storage space to store your knick knacks. The climatic control is also top class. The suspension is wonderfully well tuned to Indian terrain. The power assisted rack and pinion steering is quick and responsive. There is a bit of turbo-lag, almost negligible, but once past 2000rpm the motor pulls strong. The transmission is also lighter and precise. The ride quality is definitely best in class and the feel is plush. Handling is smooth and very easy. Passat has acquired the highest rating of five-stars by the NCAP in Europe for occupant protection during crash testing and this has been carried into the Indian production model too. The safety features include 8 airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) and Electronic Immobilizer. These are aided by state of the art equipment including Parking sensors (front and rear) and anti-theft sensors. Fog Lamps are included as well. The only variant available now has a price tag of Rs 19, 20, 777 (ex showroom, Delhi). The colors available are Candy White, Reflex Silver Metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Mocca Anthracite Pearl Effect, Silver Leaf and Iron Grey Metallic.
Paul Horrell’s 2019 Volkswagen Touareg Review with interior, performance, ride and handling, safety, verdict and score. IN A NUTSHELL The big Touareg looks glitzier now and has a menu of high-tech extras. THE TOUAREG has always had an unusual position. Its shares its roots with some very sophisticated luxury SUVs, but it can also be had in more of a workhorse spec that puts it up against some of the smarter members of the utility SUV crowd. The chrome-heavy front end gives a clue that the new generation is aiming more to the luxury end of the spectrum. What is the Volkswagen Touareg? It’s longer and wider than ever, meaning it’s got as much rear legroom as most of us would need, lots of width for three-abreast seats, and a colossal boot. What it doesn’t have is seven seats, not even as an option. It shares its platform with VW’s range of SUVs that doesn’t just take in the Audi Q7, but goes all the way up to the Bentley Bentayga. And sure enough, this has brought some really spangly options to the price list.
How about night-vision, active anti-roll chassis, four-wheel-steering, semi-autonomous driving and a set of cockpit screens the size of a decent greenhouse? The test car has the big screens and a head-up display, but the mechanical spec is more real-world, with the standard coil suspension, no rear-steer, and a V6 diesel engine. What’s the interior like? First the theatre of walking up to it. That big chrome monoface - grille and lights all as a unit - certainly makes an impression. Unlock and you get an animated welcome from the strafing indicators, plus a barrage of different LEDs doing their lightshow dances. Behind it all is a bulk of steelwork with the sort of deeply-punched crease lines we’ve come to expect from VW. The front seats are big thrones, adjustable for any body to find a decent driving position. The ones on the test car have optional massage function and electrically powered adjustable side bolsters for the cushions and backrest independently. Awesome. They’re controlled, as these things tend to be these days, by a series of animated graphical menus on the big central screen. It’s hardly economy-class out the back.
