Edmunds first drive of 2012 Passat: "An unlikely driver's car"

[ifcar]

What makes you say that? 170hp is about roughly equivalent to the 4-cylinder options in most other mid-size sedans these days. Sure, none of the 4-bangers are exciting options, but neither are most mid-size cars.

Almost as much power is a problem, especially without competitive mileage. The engine is definitely going to be the weak point in the Passat.

[68_427]

Needs at least 200HP. Sonata is much more fun to drive than the Fusion + Altima just off the engine alone. This thing is bigger + heavier than all of those with less HP

This car isn't meant to be a sports car.  It's supposed to be a large sedan, with German quality, and decent dynamics on the cheap.  It can't everything.

[3.0L V6]

Almost as much power is a problem, especially without competitive mileage. The engine is definitely going to be the weak point in the Passat.

Yeah, looking at the article again, I see the 8.7sec 0-60mph time and the 22/31mpg ratings. I'm sure VW has an engine somewhere that would be a better fit.

[68_427]

Almost as much power is a problem, especially without competitive mileage. The engine is definitely going to be the weak point in the Passat.

I agree-ish.  Maybe once people see the mpgs of the 2.5, then the diesel they'll be more likely to spring for the oil burner.  But it is too bad about the base engine, since the optional engines are segment leaders.

Yeah, looking at the article again, I see the 8.7sec 0-60mph time and the 22/31mpg ratings. I'm sure VW has an engine somewhere that would be a better fit.

How much does the 1.4TFSI cost?  I'm sure it's a bit more expensive to produce though, and probably not as reliable.

[ifcar]

Edmunds put it pretty concisely on its Facebook summary: "It may look big and bland, but the new Volkswagen Passat sure does handle well. Too bad it doesn't get much help under the hood."

[cawimmer430]

The Passat has all the good engines in Europe and elsewhere in the world. To bad they don't appeal to Americans because of their small displacement (oh the horror), slow 0-60 times (no merging unto highways) and great fuel economy (gas guzzlers FTW!). 

[ifcar]

If the U.S. competition can get power AND fuel economy, then an engine that forces you to pick one is not good enough.

[sportyaccordy]

This car isn't meant to be a sports car.  It's supposed to be a large sedan, with German quality, and decent dynamics on the cheap.  It can't everything.

Never said it had to be. I can't find anything to directly compare the two cars but I do know the Sonata is heavier, but gets better gas mileage AND performance than the new Passat 2.5. The Passat 2.5 is like a hundred years old, it still has an iron block for Christ's sakes. VW is cost cutting when it should be reinvesting.

The Passat has all the good engines in Europe and elsewhere in the world. To bad they don't appeal to Americans because of their small displacement (oh the horror), slow 0-60 times (no merging unto highways) and great fuel economy (gas guzzlers FTW!). 

Wim please stop being an idiot. Passats didn't sell here because they got too expensive. This new Passat has about the same displacements as its competitors, but is for some reason not as well performing and does not get as good gas mileage. If they are looking to boost volume they need to fix that.

[SVT666]

Needs at least 200HP. Sonata is much more fun to drive than the Fusion + Altima just off the engine alone. This thing is bigger + heavier than all of those with less HP

Have you driven the Sonata, Fusion, or Altima?

[omicron]

We get three engines - 2.0TSI (158hp/184lb-ft, 24/41mpg), 2.0TDI (168hp/258lb-ft, 35/47mpg) and 3.6FSI (295hp/258lb-ft, 18/30mpg).

[sportyaccordy]

Have you driven the Sonata, Fusion, or Altima?

Yea actually I have all this year. Altima had guts but the CVT was no bueno. Fusion just felt weak. Sonata was cool + had punch and didn't have the rubbery feel of a CVT. Good gas mileage too. These were all rental grade so 4 bangers and autos all around. I actually enjoyed the Sonata.

[68_427]

We get three engines - 2.0TSI (158hp/184lb-ft, 24/41mpg), 2.0TDI (168hp/258lb-ft, 35/47mpg) and 3.6FSI (295hp/258lb-ft, 18/30mpg).

Do you have different gallons than the US?

[2o6]

Do you have different gallons than the US?

Imperial MPG is different than US MPG.

[68_427]

That's what I thought.

[93JC]

They don't use gallons in Australia at all. I presume the quoted figures are US gallons for your ease of comprehension.

[Laconian]

Yeah, the fact that he's not using commie kilowatts to denote power is a good sign that he did the conversion for us.

[93JC]

Yes, they don't use horsepower or foot-pounds either (kW and N-m in Oz).

[3.0L V6]

That's what I thought.

Also, Australia probably has a different testing regimen than the EPA - so an apples to apples comparison can't be done.

[ifcar]

I imagine we the 3.6-liter the same as our engine, so we can get some sense of the test differences from our different numbers on that car.

[AltinD]

I imagine we the 3.6-liter the same as our engine, so we can get some sense of the test differences from our different numbers on that car.

No, yours is the 280HP version, they have the 300HP one as on the R36 (same engines basically, just tuned differently)

[AltinD]

We get three engines - 2.0TSI (158hp).

Are you sure you aren't talking about the 1.8 TSI? The HP rating matches that engine.

[AltinD]

BTW, they will also import this Passat instead of the German build one, here in the Middle East 

[cawimmer430]

BTW, they will also import this Passat instead of the German build one, here in the Middle East 

[68_427]

Starts at $20,765.  Including destination etc.

[sportyaccordy]

Lol

Volkswagen LeSabre

[AltinD]

I played with options on the configuration page of the new B7 Passat www.passat.de , and got the 300HP V6 4motion model optioned up to 61,429 EUR

Though, many of those options are supplied in packages so in real life it costs way less then that. Too bad tinypic.com had deleted the pic for some reasons.

[AltinD]

Engine/drivetrain options:

PETROL
1.4 TSI:  90kW, 6sp M/T
1.4 TSI:  90kW, 7sp DSG
1.8 TSI:  118kW, 6sp M/T
1.8 TSI:  118kW, 7sp DSG
2.0 TSI:  155kW, 6sp M/T
2.0 TSI:  155kW, 6sp DSG
3.6 V6 TSI 4Motion:  220kW, 6sp DSG

DIESEL
1.6 TDI:  77kW, 6sp M/T
2.0 TDI:  103kW, 6sp M/T
2.0 TDI 4Motion:  103kW, 6sp M/T
2.0 TDI:  103kW, 6sp DSG
2.0 TDI:  125kW, 6sp M/T
2.0 TDI:  125kW, 6sp DSG
2.0 TDI 4Motion:  125kW, 6sp DSG

[sportyaccordy]

Americans don't give a shit about endless engine options.

Give us the two best (2.0 TSI, 3.6 VR6), keep the rest. Who the hell would buy a big ass Passat with a 1.6L, just get a smaller car, have some pride.

[68_427]

Americans don't give a shit about endless engine options.

Give us the two best (2.0 TSI, 3.6 VR6), keep the rest. Who the hell would buy a big ass Passat with a 1.6L, just get a smaller car, have some pride.

You forgot the diesel option.

[cawimmer430]

Americans don't give a shit about endless engine options.

V8, V10 and V12 are all you need.