Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat

vb-saan · 12th April 2011, 08:38

That was an excellent report Ajmat, with some good deal of history thrown in. I particularly enjoyed the comparison notes with the rival / potential rival models.
Thanks for the compilation!

I am actually a big fan of the classic designs of VW. It may be on the borderline of being termed as boring, but I guess the new Passat will age more gracefully than its Skoda cousin Superb. And I find the new VW face much better than the previous gen Passat / Jetta (which was almost doing a Toyota of Europe in the looks department).

Maybe I missed this while reading through – does all the variants come with 6 airbags?

Vid6639 · 12th April 2011, 08:39

I didn't notice till now but the speedo is not linear. Till 60 each division is 5km/hr after that each small division is 10km/hr. One half of speedo is from 0-100km/hr and other from 100-260km/hr. Interesting how they got that. Resistance of the dial changing after 60.

mandheers · 12th April 2011, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

I didn't notice till now but the speedo is not linear. Till 60 each division is 5km/hr after that each small division is 10km/hr. One half of speedo is from 0-100km/hr and other from 100-260km/hr. Interesting how they got that. Resistance of the dial changing after 60.

Just noticed the same myself. Thankfully am not the only one.

Great observation on your part!

Awesome review Ajmat, still just halfway through.

noopster · 12th April 2011, 18:27

Lovey review Ajit. We saw a couple of new Passats at the Chakan factory and I am a big fan of the curvy bonnet and all the gizmos they've added into it. The advertising campaign is also attracting eyeballs- my wife asked me excitedly yesterday, "The car parks itself?" which I confirmed and then a short pause from her side followed by "Why can't they give that in ours?" (Vento)

The pricing is absolutely killer- it's a smorgasbord for entry level luxe buyers these days what with Skoda, BMW, VW all offering great value at prices that would have been unthinkable 5 years ago! With the likes of Infiniti making an entry, one salivates at the thought of how it will be 5 years from now (by which time inshallah I am ready to make the move

)

And yes- TBHP is setting new standards with each "official" review. The generational snapshot is phenomenal- take a bow.

DicKy · 12th April 2011, 21:19

But @ajmat.
Eventhough they are niche players you could have mentioned both the Camry and Teana in comparo list.

Sahil · 13th April 2011, 00:52

Super review! Although the passat has gotten more exciting, it still doesn't offer value like the superb. Yes it's interiors and features are better but most buyers of the Passat spend most time in the backseat, where the Superb wins hands down.

How does the suspension of the Passat compare to the Superbs; which is pretty stiff. Yet the Superb isn't a good handler, nor very comfy.

BlackRaven · 13th April 2011, 01:40

Nice detailed review Ajmat. Couple of questions?

What is that black grease like thing in the steering,is it some kind of reflection? It seemed like a worn out leather.Jus curious

How useful is regenerative breaking in a non electric car. I thought modern cars with their efficient charge circuits will be able to charge batteries in a decent 30 minute ride. I understand that the start stop system might put a strain on the batteries, but does it demand regen braking?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

ajmat · 13th April 2011, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

How does the suspension of the Passat compare to the Superbs; which is pretty stiff. Yet the Superb isn't a good handler, nor very comfy.

It is firm but not rock hard like an Audi on S-line spec. Handles better than a Superd sicne the wheelbase is less

Quote:

Originally Posted by DicKy

But @ajmat.
Eventhough they are niche players you could have mentioned both the Camry and Teana in comparo list.

They are priced out of contention besides, both do not hold a candle in value/ market terms to the Passat, Superb and Accord. if the next get Camry is locally assembled. Expect a tough fight!

Quote:

Originally Posted by noopster

And yes- TBHP is setting new standards with each "official" review. The generational snapshot is phenomenal- take a bow.

Thanks, the mod who reviewes the next Corolla will be crying when he is forced to do a generational snap shot of the Corolla range (I have lost touch how many!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackRaven

What is that black grease like thing in the steering,is it some kind of reflection? It seemed like a worn out leather.Jus curious

How useful is regenerative breaking in a non electric car. ?

Probablly damp sweat (ugh). As for regenarative braking, I have no figures on actual tangible benefits.

Cartman · 13th April 2011, 09:26

Holy moly. That was one heck of a review. A very close friend of mine is in the market looking for cars around 20 lakhs. I'm pretty sure this will convince him to buy the Passat.

Lovely review Ajmat! Enjoyed reading every bit! Where is the 7-star option?

Rating 5, because that is the upper-limit.

Cheers!
Cartman.

srishiva · 13th April 2011, 09:33

In Bluemotion system, it cuts off charging during acceleration and reduce the drag on engine. It needs to run accessories purely on battery at these times. The battery should also be comparatively of a higher capacity.

sumathindra · 13th April 2011, 09:33

Excellent and a detailed review Ajmat, way to go

thermalpaste · 13th April 2011, 14:50

I would buy this car just for this ad:

YouTube - Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

Excellent review!

manson · 13th April 2011, 19:57

Ajmat, the blue motion start and stop technology seems almost identical to Mahindra's Micro Hybrid available on the Scorpio VLX variants. When in operation does the aircon cut off in the Passat too just like it does in the Scorpio?

manson.

arethusa · 13th April 2011, 22:27

An excellent comprehensive and informative review Ajmat. I would go to the length of saying that this is one of the best reviews I have read so far (with due respect to the efforts put in by the other reviewers). The excellent pictures and the historical edge add icing to the cake.

This thread has also put me in perspective since I was seriously considering purchase of an entry level luxury saloon viz A4 or 3er. I definitely have a strong contender to add to my options thanks to this review.

lancer_rit · 17th April 2011, 18:10

Great review ajmat, fresh flavour with the historical perspective thrown in for good measure :-) Was travelling, and only saw it today.

Good points wrt Park Assist, I mentioned similar on the other thread.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post2302091

BTW, a 1.8TSI should cost 2l lesser, hope VW also launches such a variant!

12th April 2011, 08:38	#46
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,461 Thanked: 13,323 Times	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat That was an excellent report Ajmat, with some good deal of history thrown in. I particularly enjoyed the comparison notes with the rival / potential rival models. Thanks for the compilation! I am actually a big fan of the classic designs of VW. It may be on the borderline of being termed as boring, but I guess the new Passat will age more gracefully than its Skoda cousin Superb. And I find the new VW face much better than the previous gen Passat / Jetta (which was almost doing a Toyota of Europe in the looks department). Maybe I missed this while reading through – does all the variants come with 6 airbags?
	() Thanks

12th April 2011, 08:39	#47
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,709 Thanked: 44,134 Times View My Garage	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat I didn't notice till now but the speedo is not linear. Till 60 each division is 5km/hr after that each small division is 10km/hr. One half of speedo is from 0-100km/hr and other from 100-260km/hr. Interesting how they got that. Resistance of the dial changing after 60.
	() Thanks

12th April 2011, 18:27	#49
noopster Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 9,273 Thanked: 13,244 Times View My Garage	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat Lovey review Ajit. We saw a couple of new Passats at the Chakan factory and I am a big fan of the curvy bonnet and all the gizmos they've added into it. The advertising campaign is also attracting eyeballs- my wife asked me excitedly yesterday, "The car parks itself?" which I confirmed and then a short pause from her side followed by "Why can't they give that in ours?" (Vento) The pricing is absolutely killer- it's a smorgasbord for entry level luxe buyers these days what with Skoda, BMW, VW all offering great value at prices that would have been unthinkable 5 years ago! With the likes of Infiniti making an entry, one salivates at the thought of how it will be 5 years from now (by which time inshallah I am ready to make the move ) And yes- TBHP is setting new standards with each "official" review. The generational snapshot is phenomenal- take a bow.
	() Thanks

12th April 2011, 21:19	#50
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,389 Thanked: 15,274 Times	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat But @ajmat. Eventhough they are niche players you could have mentioned both the Camry and Teana in comparo list.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 00:52	#51
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,354 Thanked: 7,999 Times	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat Super review! Although the passat has gotten more exciting, it still doesn't offer value like the superb. Yes it's interiors and features are better but most buyers of the Passat spend most time in the backseat, where the Superb wins hands down. How does the suspension of the Passat compare to the Superbs; which is pretty stiff. Yet the Superb isn't a good handler, nor very comfy.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 09:26	#54
Cartman BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 411 Thanked: 244 Times	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat Holy moly. That was one heck of a review. A very close friend of mine is in the market looking for cars around 20 lakhs. I'm pretty sure this will convince him to buy the Passat. Lovely review Ajmat! Enjoyed reading every bit! Where is the 7-star option? Rating 5, because that is the upper-limit. Cheers! Cartman.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 09:33	#55
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,372 Thanked: 2,260 Times	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat In Bluemotion system, it cuts off charging during acceleration and reduce the drag on engine. It needs to run accessories purely on battery at these times. The battery should also be comparatively of a higher capacity. Last edited by srishiva : 13th April 2011 at 09:35.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 09:33	#56
sumathindra BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 811 Thanked: 566 Times View My Garage	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat Excellent and a detailed review Ajmat, way to go
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 19:57	#58
manson Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 3,933 Thanked: 4,290 Times View My Garage	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat Ajmat, the blue motion start and stop technology seems almost identical to Mahindra's Micro Hybrid available on the Scorpio VLX variants. When in operation does the aircon cut off in the Passat too just like it does in the Scorpio? manson.
	() Thanks

13th April 2011, 22:27	#59
arethusa BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 48 Thanked: 25 Times View My Garage	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat An excellent comprehensive and informative review Ajmat. I would go to the length of saying that this is one of the best reviews I have read so far (with due respect to the efforts put in by the other reviewers). The excellent pictures and the historical edge add icing to the cake. This thread has also put me in perspective since I was seriously considering purchase of an entry level luxury saloon viz A4 or 3er. I definitely have a strong contender to add to my options thanks to this review.
	() Thanks

17th April 2011, 18:10	#60
lancer_rit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,283 Thanked: 325 Times	re: Driven: The 2011 Volkswagen Passat Great review ajmat, fresh flavour with the historical perspective thrown in for good measure :-) Was travelling, and only saw it today. Good points wrt Park Assist, I mentioned similar on the other thread. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post2302091 BTW, a 1.8TSI should cost 2l lesser, hope VW also launches such a variant!
	() Thanks