[ACM]

Ajmat Super review

Voted 5 Stars

Took my time to read it over two sessions. The history bit is a neat and nice addition to the T BHP offical reviews.

Passat will take on the Superb and Accord in a big way. For some who look beyond the badge A4, 3 series and C class too will loose some numbers. The +ve effects on Vento and Polo too will help VW.

The Skoda Superb still remains to me the best Petrol Rs. 20L Executive Car while now the Superb takes pole position for the Diesel, I would say the highline is the way to go if one is parting with this much money.

[pjegadeesh]

I have booked a VW Passat Highline for my father, Mocca Anthracite. The booking experience to be frank is not that good very poor response from the sales manager of the dealer, felt like those days when Ambassador and Fiat dealers sales managers behavior. Feeling tired of the sales manager attitude he has not sent acknowledgement for the advance, no calls after receiving the advance, no details about the probable delivery date. Very worst response though the sales manager claimed that ours was the first booking in Andhrapradesh State as people are reluctant to book the car without a test drive.

[download2live]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Rear parking camera : VW badge flips, and the camera pops out.

Pune guys must now be shivering in their shoes. It already was bad enough of Monograms getting flicked but now in the due process of it, there is a good chance of camera going kaput. Or did I misunderstand anything here?

[varunmad]

The picture of the rear interior shows a big transmission tunnel below the rear ac-vents like our W203 - does this mean the new Passat is a RWD car?

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by manson

Ajmat, the blue motion start and stop technology seems almost identical to Mahindra's Micro Hybrid available on the corpio VLX variants.

Since Passat has ACC, the algorithm would typically check the difference between temp setting vs actual. If its beyond a certain limit (say 4-5 deg) it will not shut the engine. Certain Chrysler vehicles also have a humidity sensor that is a part of the mix

Originally Posted by ajmat

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

Wow, the AC is indeed weak then
.

[shatrughna]

Today, I read this review for the third time to understand what is being conveyed- well I cant get enough of it. Thanks to Ajmat for a very well written review. Today, I went to a nearby dealership to get a first hand touch and feel of the car. The sales person practically knew very little about the car other than the printed specs and some demo of park assist system. As far as features are concerned, it has a great mix of almost everything that C class current and new one ( face lift) expected to offer which is expected to be launched by Aug /Sep 11 except may be the 204 bhp/50kgm torque engine with 7 speed transmission. Since, they couldnt offer a test drive, I cant compare it fully with a Skoda Luara ( my current drive) or Superb but feature list is nothing too attractive to spend 9 lakh above Laura in terms of space or features unless the test drive changes my opinion.

However, if it is one car that is offering almost everything that is it. Though it may not matter much to everyone much , few things that I appreciated was - electric rear sun blind and pull up shades on rear windows, some specialised window glasses in front which is supposed to keep the heat and noise out, start stop button, paddle shift, attention assyst and keyless entry system, a music system with usb , sd card and aux compatilibility, full size alloy spare wheel. Waiting for confirmation and full details on 4 years/100000 kms warranty ( extended), road side assistance program.
I couldnt gather any confirmed information on the top speed of this car. Overall seems to be a very good VFM package over C class.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by varunmad

The picture of the rear interior shows a big transmission tunnel below the rear ac-vents like our W203 - does this mean the new Passat is a RWD car?

Man, you made my day. VW family makes a RWD car?(except the Amorak,Crofter and rear engined old Beetle,Kombi)
Then why should i dislike them?
The transmission tunnel like projection is present in most FWD cars just for the sheet metal rigidity if am right.

[varunmad]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Man, you made my day. VW family makes a RWD car?(except the Amorak,Crofter and rear engined old Beetle,Kombi)
Then why should i dislike them?
The transmission tunnel like projection is present in most FWD cars just for the sheet metal rigidity if am right.

Haha, thanks for the clarification. It did look quite big to not have a specific purpose, which is why I was confused. There's no way a Passat would be RWD, especially a model they would sell for India.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Man, you made my day. VW family makes a RWD car?(except the Amorak,Crofter and rear engined old Beetle,Kombi)
Then why should i dislike them?
The transmission tunnel like projection is present in most FWD cars just for the sheet metal rigidity if am right.

Well they did. Its was called a Passat W8 4motion. (yes 8 cyl engine) & it was the B5 Passat. The BIW is probably same for this one.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Man, you made my day. VW family makes a RWD car?(except the Amorak,Crofter and rear engined old Beetle,Kombi)
Then why should i dislike them?
The transmission tunnel like projection is present in most FWD cars just for the sheet metal rigidity if am right.

Not only for RWD but it could be for AWD also. The Passat had a 4x4 version, not sure if the present one does. So maybe the large hump is there to facilitate the 4x4 systems functioning.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Well they did. Its was called a Passat W8 4motion. (yes 8 cyl engine) & it was the B5 Passat. The BIW is probably same for this one.

but it's still not technically RWD. Just kidding.

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Not only for RWD but it could be for AWD also. The Passat had a 4x4 version, not sure if the present one does. So maybe the large hump is there to facilitate the 4x4 systems functioning.

Almost forgot about the 4MOTION AWD system.
then maybe it's right about it being a transmission tunnel,just like the SX4 which has AWD abroad,but still not RWD.

[VW2010]

The booking experience to be frank is not that good very poor response from the sales manager of the dealer

That is a shame. I had a similar experience only to be addressed by the GM in ABRA motors. The salesman was a douche. The GM set up a personal meeting with me to understand the problem and helped me resolve some of the problem. Atleast he took time to listen to my complain. I took delivery of the car. In your case you have only booked.

Please raise your concerns with the GM as soon as possible. Visit the VW website and you will get an email id where you can raise your concerns and feedback.

Quote the sales person name and let them know how serious you are about your buying experience.

VW2010

[noopster]

I got a chance to check out a Passat Highline at BU Bhandari. Some highlights:

• They have a demo car (highline) but no TD car . Deliveries start May 6th. I can't imagine buying a car without a TD but we know it works for some people.
• Interesting that all the demo/display/advert cars (including those at the IPL) are the same Cashmere Brown shade. VW seems to be finally getting adventurous with its shades- this one really works well.
• 2.0 lit DSG is standard. The salesman says there is a MT version also due, no plans of 1.8TSI for now (not sure how reliable this info is).
• The interior wood panelling on the front and sides looks truly, really, awfully cheap. Big fail for VW.
• All black interior for the Highline looks good (if not for that faux wood). The comfortline has beige & black with beige upholstery, apparently.
• There was a dedicated SR for the Passat which I found really amusing. I mean, if you can sell a Vento you can sell a Passat. Hell, after my own demo I was quite capable of doing a sale myself
• Of course I had ajmat's review neatly tucked away in my head. Unfair advantage that.
• I like the car but it somehow didn't exude luxury especially in the back seat. I got a much better "sethji" vibe in the back bench of the Superb.
• OTR 25.x and 30.x in Pune. I think the comfortline is a steal: those toys and gadgets are for noobs anyway (even if my car could park itself, fie on me if I allowed it to! )

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Warranty is 2 years, unlimited, extendable to 4 years 100000km + 3 year warranty on paint + 12 year warranty on corrosion if car is maintained and repaired by VW.

• The Boot lock is not available. Why? R&D have not cleared it. Why? No answer

IMHO, a car sells better if its got a better warranty package.Proof? BMW.

Originally Posted by thermalpaste

I would buy this car just for this ad: YouTube - Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

Excellent review!

Awesome! But dont think India version that that start thing ( or it was just a advt stuff?)

Originally Posted by pjegadeesh

I have booked a VW Passat Highline for my father, Mocca Anthracite. The booking experience to be frank is not that good very poor response from the sales manager of the dealer, felt like those days when Ambassador and Fiat dealers sales managers behavior. Feeling tired of the sales manager attitude he has not sent acknowledgement for the advance, no calls after receiving the advance, no details about the probable delivery date. Very worst response though the sales manager claimed that ours was the first booking in Andhrapradesh State as people are reluctant to book the car without a test drive.

People do go and book 'n' buy cars or bikes coz of brand name! One of my senior manager bought the petrol Polo even before they had one for test drive. Now, he desperately want to sell it! ( wont happen as he wants 6lac for it !)

Originally Posted by noopster

I got a chance to check out a Passat Highline at BU Bhandari. Some highlights:

• 2.0 lit DSG is standard. The salesman says there is a MT version also due, no plans of 1.8TSI for now (not sure how reliable this info is).
• Of course I had ajmat's review neatly tucked away in my head. Unfair advantage that.
• I like the car but it somehow didn't exude luxury especially in the back seat. I got a much better "sethji" vibe in the back bench of the Superb.

When did you start believing the salesmen/women They are (mostly) graduates who work with Suzuki today, Hyundai tomorrow, VW day after and so on! Do you work when you go to buy a car.

And maybe you felt better in Superb because its aint black inside and its more spacious ?

Great review Ajmat ! I love the car and hence read the whole thing!
Can you confirm if it will seat 5 people in comfort? Not kids.

[stanjohn123]

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

Any goodies that the Superb does not have apart from the cooled seats and self-park system? As until now ,being 'fully loaded' was one of the strong points of the Superb

Are you kidding ?

Let me tell a few I can remember,

1) paddle shifts
2)Regenerative braking(cool feature to show off to friends)
3)Rear window electric shade.
4) Auto start/stop.
5)rear badge integrated Camera.
6)Those DLR's are cool.
7)Sleep alert system.
8)Key less entry.

damn this car is fully loaded to the brim. A very good contender as our next car if only i heard some good reviews on the air-con.

I doubt most of these features even come on Bimmers, Benz or Audi's.