2007 Volkswagen Passat

The new 2007 Passat wagon arrives at dealerships across the country beginning early this year and is the only truly German-built family midsize wagon in its competitive set. Just as its predecessor, this newest Volkswagen Passat wagon still represents the market’s most accessible German-made wagon choice with this much room, comfort and sophisticated technology and engineering.

Engine Performance

The new Passat wagon’s base engine is upgraded to a sophisticated new four-cylinder engine called the 2.0T. This two-liter is efficient and sporty and uses a turbocharger and an intercooler for cool, higher-density intake air. The 2.0T’s high-end breathing is further enhanced by its four-valves per cylinder with variable valve timing. The engine’s overall efficiency begins with an advanced direct-injection fuel delivery system that culminates in 200 hp at 5,100 rpm and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque all the way from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm—an extraordinary torque curve that provides plenty of pulling power from the low end through the top.

Soon after the launch of this new 2.0T engine, Volkswagen’s renowned narrow-angle six-cylinder technology will make its return to the Passat wagon. With the Passat’s return to a transverse engine mount, Volkswagen will re-introduce a very refined and powerful version of its famous narrow-angle V6 (widely known as the VR6; this version’s cylinder banks create a “V” angle of just 10.6 º). This newly advanced V6 engine has higher displacement, four-valves-per-cylinder, and variable valve timing, and promises 280 hp at 6,200 rpm and 265 lbs.-ft., at just 2,750. Mated to this ultimate V6, as standard equipment, will be Volkswagen’s refined six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and sport mode selection (no plans for a manual).

Versions

Volkswagen will once again offer the Passat wagon in an all-wheel-version lineup as well (3.6 L only). In fact both the sedan and its variant will offer Volkswagen’s renowned, electronically controlled 4Motion (all-wheel-drive) version by next month in most dealerships. Models will therefore include in both body styles: a Passat “Value Edition” 2.0T; a Passat 2.0T; a Passat 3.6 L; and soon a 3.6 L 4Motion.

Size

The new Passat wagon simply offers more of everything. Its outward dimensions offer better cargo room and critical increases in passenger space. The outward dimensions increase in overall length to 188 inches versus the previous model’s 184.3 inches; width is also improved to 71.7 inches versus the previous 68.7 inches. Height for the 2007 wagon is a streamlined 59.7 inches (up .7 inches). All of this translates to larger areas for people and things.

Safety

As expected in a Passat, active safety also is tantamount to the development of Volkswagens, and the 2007 Passat wagon is no exception and arguably among the leaders in its segments in offering a list of performance items that can help avoid accidents in the first place, including the stability and surefootedness of a precise-handling front-drive sedan, with standard four-wheel disc ABS brakes that are coupled with a sophisticated Engine Braking Assist system. Another major technical advancement in the new Passat wagon is the standard Servotronic® power steering system that can help assist with straight-ahead driving adjustments when necessary—an example of this could be freeway driving through strong crosswinds. All Passats come standard with an Electronic Stabilization Program—an active safety item that is being recognized through independent research to be an increasing vital safety feature – Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Locking (EDL). Of course, later in 2006 all wheel drive comes with 4Motion.

The new Passat employs an advanced version of the tried-and-true independent McPherson strut architecture. The car’s strut-type axle creates a very desirable direct steering ratio, a high level of transversal axle rigidity and a low tendency to allow body roll on tight turns. At the rear, the new Passat wagon now is equipped with an advanced multi-link independent rear suspension.

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IN BRIEF: THE NEW PASSAT

The development team has created a Passat whose rational qualities – such as the body and chassis properties and comfort – have been consistently perfected. At the same time, however, the team has injected emotion and life into this Passat using a uncompromising combination of form and function, design and ergonomics.

Exterior: New Face and Outstanding Quality

• Body I – Design: The sixth Passat features a powerful and avant-garde design. The new VW face with its chrome radiator evoking a coat of arms and the challenging “stare” of the headlights represent the greatest design progression since the creation of the series. The same applies to the athletic silhouette and the powerful rear section lines.

• Body II – Dimensions: The same applies for the outside design of the Passat as for the interior: everything is new and different. For example, the dimensio­ns: The new Passat is 4.77 metres long (+ 62mm), 1.82 metres wide (+ 74mm) and 1.47 metres tall (+ 10 mm). The wheelbase measures 2.71 metres.
  

• Body III – Quality: One real indicator of outstanding quality is the static torsional stiffness. It is 57 percent (!) greater than the very good value for the previous model and is now the best figure in this class. Furthermore, thanks to highly innovative production methods and materials, the weight spiral has been stopped even though there have been major improvements in body properties and a clear increase in size. The body of the new Passat does not weigh any more than that of its predecessor.

Interior: Perfect Ergonomics and 565-litre Boot

• Interior: A look inside shows a clear, fresh, stylish design with a remarkable lightness. It features high-quality materials and technology oriented to people and not to the theoretically possible. The aim was to achieve perfect ergonomics and operation. The boot volume has grown substantially to a maximum 565 litres (+ 90 litres).

Engines: Seven Out of Eight Use Direct Injection

• Four New Petrol Engines: Volkswagen is using the FSI engines with homogeneous direct injection for the first time in the Passat. They deliver 85kW / 115hp, 110kW / 150hp and 147kW / 200hp (Turbo FSI). In the fourth quarter of 2005, a 3.2-litre V6-FSI with 184kW / 250hp (3.6-liter, 280hp VR6 for North America) will top off the range. The entry-level engine is the economic 1.6-litre four-cylinder delivering 75kW / 102hp.

• Three New Diesels: Each of the TDIs on offer is being used for the first time in this series. They deliver 77kW / 105hp, 103kW / 140hp and 125kW / 170hp. The Passat TDI will also be available with a diesel particulate filter. The most powerful TDI features the innovative Piezo high-pressure unit-injector system.

• Dual-clutch Gearbox (DSG): The 2.0-litre TDI (and later also the V6 FSI) will be available with the automatic dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). It has six forward gears and shifts extremely fast. DSG together with TDI is an ideal combination as, for the first time ever, the low consumption of a diesel engine has been fully maintained in conjunction with automatic gear changes.

• The petrol engines with outputs of 85kW / 115hp, 110kW / 150hp and 147kW / 200hp can be optionally combined with a driver-friendly six-speed automatic gearbox (Tiptronic).

Chassis: Top-class Ride Comfort

• New chassis: The new four-link rear axle, which has been decoupled from the body to reduce noise, along with the McPherson front axle using aluminium components (weight: -13.3 kilogrammes) guarantee a maximum level of agility, comfort and safety.

• New ESP + Trailer Stabilisation: The chassis technology has been perfected with the ESP + Trailer Stabilisation that comes as standard on all vehicles with a tow bar.

• New brakes with “Wipers”: All Passats have 16-inch brakes with an integrated “wiper” function. The brake pads are applied lightly at specific intervals. This “wipes away” any water film that may have formed while driving on wet surfaces and thus shortens the braking distance.

Innovative Force: Combining Technology from the Midrange and Luxury Classes

• New Electronic Parking Brake: For the first time in this class, the Passat comes with an electronic parking brake as standard. It works at the push of a button. Thanks to the electronic control and networking with other control units, it has been possible to realise numerous new functions. They include a dynamic emergency braking function, the dynamic auto release (for hill starts, for example) and vehicle hold (you no longer have to hold down the brake pedal at traffic lights).

• New Starting and Locking System: The remote-controlled starting and locking system used in the Passat is a completely new development. It no longer uses a traditional ignition key. Instead you push the transmitter for opening and closing the central locking almost completely into a holder to the right of the steering wheel and then press it to start the engine. If your Passat has been equipped with the keyless-entry system (Kessy), which is also new to this series, you can start the engine at the push of a button.

• New Automatic Adaptive Cruise Control: A further new feature in this segment is the automatic adaptive cruise control available for the Passat. The Passat will automatically brake from the speed you preset on the cruise control as soon as it falls below a defined safety distance to the vehicle in front. Once the road ahead is clear again, the car will accelerate to the previously selected speed.

• New Bluetooth Telephone: A new hands-free telephone system with a Bluetooth interface is available as an option for the Passat. Your mobile phone is linked to the vehicle wirelessly and you do not even have to take it out of your pocket. The actual mobile functions in the car are handled by a permanently built-in telephone that queries the required data from the SIM card in your mobile phone. The telephone is operated using a separate keypad.

• New Sound System from Dynaudi Volkswagen has paid maximum attention to the quality of entertainment and infotainment in the Passat. The 600-Watt high-end sound system from hi-fi specia­list Dynaudio provides a very special audio experience. The 10-channel system with its excellent components sets a new standard in this class.

• New Draught-free Climatronic: Two-zone automatic climate control is available as an extra. As in the Phaeton, this system provides draught-free ventilation at the push of a button.

• New Power Supply: Business travellers will welcome the possibility of charging their laptop using an optional 230-volt power supply.

• New Bi-Xenon Headlights with Cornering Function: All headlight systems have been improved substantially compared with the previous model. This applies especially to the full-beam lights. The adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights on the new Passat ensure even better illumination of the road. The integrated dynamic cornering lights follow the path of the road with a maximum swivelling angle of 15 degrees and thus always guarantee optimum illumination. This system has been perfected with the addition of static cornering lights. Aligned to around 35 degrees to the side of the vehicle axle, these lights give you a considerable advantage particularly when turning off at crossroads and into side roads.

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