Volkswagen Passat Shows VW's 'New Face'

By Motoring Channel Staff

The new Volkswagen Passat will incorporate a refreshing new look and frugal new engines, making its first public appearance at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show.

The new Passat's safety systems have also been considerably beefed up in the '05 model, with Volkswagen developing an electronic stability program (ESP) that includes a new trailer stabilisation system, plus bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights.

VW's new mid-sized sedan will also feature a new four-link rear suspension setup with acoustic dampening, ensuring the car rides and handles smoothly and with accuracy.

European countries will be the first to try the new model in March, after which the sixth generation of the best-selling model – more than 13 million Passats have been sold to date – will also be launched on the other continents.

Thanks to the transversely-mounted engines and the slightly larger body dimensions, the new Passat offer more interior room than ever before.

In detail, the new Passat is 4.77 metres long (+ 62 mm), 1.82 metres wide (+ 74 mm) and 1.47 metres tall (+ 10 mm), giving all occupants a little more room to move.

Its wheelbase measures 2.71 metres (+ 6 mm) and the luggage compartment offers a maximum volume of 565 litres (+ 90 litres).

Another dimension is particularly exciting however: the static torsional rigidity - its value is 57 percent greater than that of its already very good predecessor and as well as representing the best value in its class, it will also translate to a precise control and handling on the road.

The stylish new Passat is a functional four wheeler too, comfortable and well thought-out with a slew of new features.

There's a Bluetooth telephone unit, high-quality sound system, sporty but comfortable long-distance seats, an intelligent starting and locking system, an electronic parking brake, automatic distance control, draught-free Climatronic ventilation and a very stylish new look, both inside and out. That is the new Passat.

Its new design shows stylish lines, hinting at where Volkswagen will take its range of vehicles as we movie towards the end of the decade, is extremely distinctive and shows a progressive brand image with a chrome shield-shaped radiator grille – the new face.

The much-acclaimed Concept R (Roadster) and Concept C (Cabriolet-Coupé) showed the stylistic direction for this VW face of the future, and the Passat is the first production vehicle to now show these characteristics.

The rear section of the Passat is characterised by fast responding LED rear lights which reproduce the styling of the headlights with a round main element.

The Passat gets a number of engine choices, with direct injection powerplants representing six out of the seven engines available in the line-up. With the exception of the entry-level engine with (75kW/102hp), all the petrol engines are new to the Passat range. The 4-cylinder FSI engines with homogeneous direct injection have an output of 85kW/115hp, 110kW/150hp and 147kW/200hp.

A 3.2 litre 6-cylinder engine (V6 config.) with FSI or fuel stratified injection (or direct injection) shared with Audi generates 184kW/250hp and will top off the range later in the year, in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Diesel engines make a strong showing in the new Passat as well, with each of the three TDIs are being used in this series for the first time, comprised of 77kW/105hp, 103kW/140hp and 125kW/170hp diesel motors. The diesel engines will also gradually be offered with a diesel particulate filter.

The most powerful TDI is equipped with the highly innovative piezzo-operated high pressure fuel injection system and two balancer shafts, as is the 103kW TDI with diesel particulate filter.

In addition to the range of engines, the 85kW, 110kW and 147kW petrol engines can be combined with a smooth 6-speed automatic gearbox, whilst the two more powerful TDI engines can be optioned with the innovative dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) for millisecond rapid gear shifts. Models with the 4MOTION four-wheel drive will follow at a later date.

A glance at the interior of the new Passat reveals a fresh, luxurious and stylish design, made with high-quality materials, while at the same time integrating technology that is orientated towards people and not towards what is theoretically possible.

The aim here was to achieve perfect ergonomics and operation. The Passat cockpit is therefore more driver-orientated then ever, with sporty and clean lines and functional elements. The interior can be adapted according to personal preferences, for example through four equipment lines, each available with four colour schemes together with wood and aluminium trims.

And the new technology that will be behind the sixth generation Passat? Check it out:

The Electronic Parking Brake
The Passat has an electronic parking brake as standard – a first in this class. It engages and disengages at the touch of a button, instead of a lever connected to a cable. Its electronic control system is linked to other control units via a network. This means it can perform a series of new brake functions, including dynamic onboard braking system, auto release (for hill starts) and vehicle hold (no need to hold down the brake pedal at traffic lights).

Starting and Locking System
The Passat's remote control starting and locking functions have been developed as an entirely new system. It dispenses with the conventional ignition key and instead the central locking transmitter slots into a holder to the right of the steering wheel and the driver then presses it to start the engine. In models equipped with Volkswagen's keyless entry system, now available in the Passat for the first time, the engine simply starts at the touch of button.

Automatic Distance Control
Automatic distance control, which Volkswagen first introduced in the Phaeton, is now available in the new Passat, marking another new development in this segment. The system is intuitively operated via a lever on the steering column. As soon as the distance to the vehicle in front falls below a defined value, the Passat applies the brakes until the car has slowed to a speed which has been preset via the cruise control system. Once the lane ahead is clear again, the Passat accelerates to the previously selected speed.

Bluetooth Telephone
Though the take up rate (and therefore viability) of bluetooth is still somewhat hamstrung, the Passat nevertheless has an optional telephone unit with hands-free capability featuring a bluetooth interface.

Dynaudio Sound System
Volkswagen has paid utmost attention to the quality of infotainment and entertainment in the new Passat. The 600-Watt high-end sound system from the hifi specialist Dynaudio offers an outstanding audio experience. The 10-channel system equipped with excellent components sets a new standard in this class.

Draught-free Climatronic Ventilation
The two zone automatic climate control system is also a unique option in this class. As in the Phaeton, this system allows draught-free ventilation/cooling at the touch of a button.

Other features new to the 2005 Passat include bi-xenon adaptive headlights. Major improvements have been made to Passat's headlight systems compared to the predecessor model and the adaptive bi-xenon headlights have an integrated dynamic cornering light system and even a static cornering system to ensure optimum illumination of the road ahead. These will come in handy especially when turning at crossroads or junctions.

The new four-link rear suspension, which is separated from the body by a noise reducing subframe, and the McPherson strut front suspension designed with aluminium components give the Passat an outstanding level of agility and comfort.

To make the running gear technology complete, the Passat has ESP and all vehicles with a tow bar are equipped with trailer stabilisation. In addition to the usual ESP functions, this system detects imminent trailer snaking and takes action via the brakes and the engine to prevent it.

The new face of Volkswagen will be officially launched in March 2005, with sales to begin in Europe shortly afterward.