2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI

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1 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI After several years absence, a diesel engine reappeared in the Passat in the middle of the 2004 model-year. The engine in question is a 2.0-litre turbo-charged diesel available only in the GLS version with a five-speed automatic transmission. This is the last year for this Passat generation, so there is little in the way of change. Interior and trunk The doors open nearly 90 degrees to facilitate access. The front seats have the German shape and firmness so appreciated on long drives. They are very comfortable for people they fit. Tall and hefty people may find that the cushion is a bit short and that the seatback is not wide and high enough. If they take their time, drivers eventually find an excellent driving position. The release lever to slide the seat forward and back is beside the console whereas it should be on the outboard side or better yet, run the width of the seat. With the sunroof, headroom is a bit tight for tall people. The rear bench is as firm as the front seats and just as comfortable, though the shape of the seat cushion may seem odd at first. There is room for two, with ample head and leg room for all but very tall people. As usual with VW, the trunk is cavernous. It is easy to load despite the small opening, but you have to be careful not to hit your head on the latch when the lid is up. There are four tie-down hooks to anchor loose objects, and the hinges are on the outside so things in the trunk won t get squashed. Convenience and safety The cabin is quiet and impeccably finished. Storage is adequate but there are fewer compartments than before, and they are not as ingenious as in the past. The Passat now has practical cup holders but the central console is really small. Depending on the setting of the

2 climate control system, the glove box can keep snacks or drinks warm or cool. The heating system and seat heaters warm up quickly. All controls are lighted at night. The front windshield washer nozzles are under the hood and can easily be blocked by snow. The radio antenna is on the back of the roof and gets in the way when carrying skis or other items. Safety features include dual front and side air bags, two locking head restraints in front and three non-locking in back, four-wheel ABS disc brakes, bright headlights, traction control and good visibility except to the rear, because of the head restraints in back. The top of the dash reflects off the windshield, and the outside mirrors are on the small side. Engine and transmission The 2.0-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder diesel engine produces 134 horsepower and 247 poundfeet of torque. A bit slow at first, in typical diesel fashion, acceleration quickly picks up and becomes quite lively. This is a responsive engine that allows the vehicle to blend easily with traffic and provides safe passing. You can hear some diesel clack as the engine warms up, feel a slight quiver when stopped at an intersection, and smell a faint diesel odour, especially with the wind in your back. The five-speed Tiptronic automatic is the only transmission available with the TDI engine. It usually runs through the gears very smoothly, but you can feel it downshift when you slow to a complete stop. It shifts into gear a bit too early in normal driving, which makes the engine growl despite its very generous torque. The transmission offers both automatic and manual modes. On the road Whether the roads are straight or curvy, flat or bumpy, driving a Passat is sure to make you smile. The suspension feels solid. With the top-notch ride derived from a blend of compliance and firmness typical of a good touring sedan, this car is made for long hours of safe, comfortable and satisfactory driving. Well-tuned power steering and powerful brakes round out the competent suspension. Our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that the Passat is very well assembled with a level of rust protection that allows VW and Audi to offer the longest warranty corrosion warranty in the industry. The windshield washer fluid tank is on the left side of the engine compartment, which poses a safety risk for people having to fill the tank on the side of the road.

3 Conclusion With both sedan and station wagon models available with a choice of three engines including a turbo-charged diesel and front- or four-wheel drive, the Passat has the mid-size category well covered. It is too bad, however, that the TDI engine is not available with a manual transmission. But as attractive as the TDI may be, it isn t always the best choice. Diesel engines are meant for long-distance driving. At this writing, the TDI engine costs $500 to $1,900 more than the gasoline engine, depending on whether the latter is mated to a manual or an automatic transmission. Diesel engines cost more to maintain because they use synthetic motor oil and need a fuel filter change twice as often as a gas engine does. Lastly, in many areas, diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. PROS: fuel-efficient engine, roadability, big trunk, quality, well-assembled materials, quiet cabin, smooth transmission CONS: small trunk opening, washer fluid tank on wrong side, insufficient storage, turn signals in mirrors an annoyance, seat cushions a bit short, poorly located windshield washer nozzles 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Engine: 20-valve, turbo-charged 1.8 litre 4-cylinder; 8-valve, 2.0-litre turbo-charged diesel; 30-valve, 2.8-litre V6 Horsepower: 170 5,900 rpm; 134 4,000 rpm; 190 6,000 rpm Torque: 166 1,950 rpm; 247 1,900 rpm; 206 3,200 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic Suspension: independent/semi-independent (fully independent in station wagon and 4Motion) Brakes: 4-wheel disc Length: cm (station wagon: cm) Width: cm Height: cm (station wagon: cm) Wheelbase: cm Weight: 1,457 to 1,640 kg Tires: 195/65R15; 205/55R16 Towing capacity: non-available Air bags: two front and side, with side curtain air bags standard on the GLX and optional on the GLS Fuel consumption with turbo-charged diesel engine:

4 Transport Canada rating: city: 8.7 L/100 km (32 mpg); highway: 5.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) Test result: 7.6 L/100 (37 mpg) Temperature during test: -22 o C to 0 o C Fuel tank capacity: 62 litres Acceleration: km/h: 10.9 seconds km/h: 6.6 seconds Competition: Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Outback, Toyota Camry, Volvo S and V50 Warranty: Full basic coverage: 4 years/80,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 4 years/80,000 Perforation damage: 12 years/unlimited kilometrage Emissions control system: 4 years/80,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module and onboard diagnostic device) Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $1,366 Front brake disk: $116 Brake pads: $136 Muffler: $474 Front fender: $106 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $890 TO $1,238 Price according to trim line: GLS sedan: $30,190 GLS TDI sedan: $32,090 GLS 4Motion sedan: $33,090 GLX sedan: $41,280 GLX 4Motion sedan: $44,180 Add for station wagon: $1,470 Main options: Automatic transmission: $1,400 Luxury package: $2,560 (GLS) Leather package: $1,830 (GLS) Traction control: $430 (GLS) Price as tested: $32,090 Freight and preparation: $995

5 Dealers: Quebec: 57; Canada: 167 CAA-Quebec, February 2005