Passat Alltrack availability in Australia?

[Inego]

Interestingly, although it's A4 sized, the Scout is surprisingly roomy and the load volume is greater and better shaped than an Outback (although rear legroom is noticeably smaller than the current Outback). The compact dimensions can be useful in the city and country also.

Early last year there were some Superb Scout mules running aorund in Europe - that would be an interesting comparison. But until then, awaiting local release of the Alltrack.

[team_v]

Another thing i noticed is that the Alltrack only sits 30mm higher than the standard passat so basically no real difference in ride height there.

[brad]

You keep talking about the pull capacity but not once have you mentioned ball weights (maximum downward force on the towball). This is usually abysmally low (~75kg) on VWs/Skodas so it's worth checking.

Skoda do a Superb 4x4 with TDI & DSG. They also do an optional "rough road package". RRP is ~$47k on road ($48.5 for the wagon?) so that might be worth a look. Towing specs still look undercooked though.

We own a Gen5 Subaru Outback (the latest, ugly model) and while the lack of features (compared to our $15k cheaper Octavia) is often dissapointing, the vehicle itself does everything required of it & the whole family fits comfortably (all 4 of us are ~167cm).

I'm not ovely sure why you can afford to spend ~$50k on a vehicle & be so concerned about economy. Depreciation is the killer, fuel is cheap. Unless you are doing 50,000km a year, Tdi economy shouldn't be an issue.

Considered a Toureg or one of the Volvo Wagons?

[Marakai]

You keep talking about the pull capacity but not once have you mentioned ball weights (maximum downward force on the towball). This is usually abysmally low (~75kg) on VWs/Skodas so it's worth checking.

Good point. What I've found hard to come by is hard data on what a horse trailer produces in this regard. Actually asking some of the owners at our riding stables returns zilch. I really don't want to sound sexist but asking any of my fellow riders, who are overwhelmingly female, for that data just gives me blank stares. Asking to maybe look at the spec/owner's manua also just gets me a helpless shrug.

We own a Gen5 Subaru Outback (the latest, ugly model) and while the lack of features (compared to our $15k cheaper Octavia) is often dissapointing, the vehicle itself does everything required of it & the whole family fits comfortably (all 4 of us are ~167cm).

What drove us away from the Subaru was the short seat surface. For long-legged people like us, we found the lack of proper leg support uncomfortable on test-drives and imagine it would get outright fatiguing on long drives. Plus, we've got enough of short seats from the junker we drive right now. Sitting in the Passat we never experienced fatigue.

I'm not ovely sure why you can afford to spend ~$50k on a vehicle & be so concerned about economy. Depreciation is the killer, fuel is cheap. Unless you are doing 50,000km a year, Tdi economy shouldn't be an issue.

Considered a Toureg or one of the Volvo Wagons?

It's not a money thing, it's a "let's try and do at least a *little* bit for the environment". Plus, fuel prices will tend to continue upward, I'm quite convinced. They'll never go back to where they once were. So long term it's still a win.

As for the second, that's part of what drove our decision process in the first place: we came into this with the decision for a Passat already made, as we'd fallen in love with the car during repeated stays in Germany. The limitations were a concern, but when the Alltrack was announced it seemed like someone had specifically listened to us and given us the best combination we could ask for.

We don't want a full-bore SUV. Nor a sports-cute. We're still remotely considering at least looking at the Volvo. Heck, we might test-drive the Audi, just for the wistful sighs.

[brad]

My wife has relatives in Germany & Austria and we've done a reasonable amount of driving there & the UK. What I have discovered is that a car that is bliss over there can be a steaming pile of excretement in AUS. So make sure you test drive well.

Also, if you are breaching the $60k barrier then have a look at a demonstrator C-Class wagon. You might be pleasantly surprised at what price they can do for you.

Also, if it's an occasional tow car then would it be worthwhile to have a good car as the general run-a-bout & a dunger for tow duties?

[Marakai]

Also, if you are breaching the $60k barrier then have a look at a demonstrator C-Class wagon. You might be pleasantly surprised at what price they can do for you.

Are you suggesting a Mercedes Benz on a VW forum? Won't they stone you for that? But seriously, in that case I'd still prolly look at the Audi. I was born in Bavaria. I'd prolly never again be allowed at the Octoberfest if I got caught in a Benz.

Also, if it's an occasional tow car then would it be worthwhile to have a good car as the general run-a-bout & a dunger for tow duties?

*sigh* Well, I'd proposed that early on, but missus is adamant about us staying a one-car household. Being American she has this hang-up about NOT having a fleet in the garage. That may yet change.

[brad]

Are you suggesting a Mercedes Benz on a VW forum? Won't they stone you for that? But seriously, in that case I'd still prolly look at the Audi. I was born in Bavaria. I'd prolly never again be allowed at the Octoberfest if I got caught in a Benz.

Best you buy an X5 then

My "home" forum started as a Subaru owners group but 5 years down the track we now have Subaru, VW, Benz, BMW, Lexus, Skoda, Mazda, Lotus, Holden, Ford, SAAB & a few others (all migrated from Subaru), so I tend to not have the blinkers on when it comes to cars. Fitness for purpose is more important than the badge.

[iDrive]

The Alltrack is profiled in the new (Summer) Volkswagen Magazine, but with little real information. Only one motor - 2.0 litre turbo diesel; no information on standard equipment. Most importantly, no release date.

[phaeton]

The Alltrack is profiled in the new (Summer) Volkswagen Magazine, but with little real information. Only one motor - 2.0 litre turbo diesel; no information on standard equipment. Most importantly, no release date.

We will know more next week, as AIMS is on

[Marakai]

We will know more next week, as AIMS is on

Anybody going and can get some Alltrack info, if they have it there? Try not to drool all over the booth babes!

[phaeton]

Update for those that missed it Volkswagen Passat Alltrack debuts at Australian International Motor Show | VWWatercooled Australia

[Marakai]

Thank you, you rock!

I find this line of extreme interest:

Loaded with features and a sharp sub-$50k pricing

That is very aggressive (targeting Subarus?) and if true extremely welcome news. Now I need to see how long until Leaseplan (my employer's chosen novated lease partner) has them selectable in their system.

[FSI 220]

Now I need to see how long until Leaseplan (my employer's chosen novated lease partner) has them selectable in their system.

Nah, you don't... just get your dealer to price it up in the leaseplan format , go to the system, pick the passat diesel wagon (own pricing) and plug in all the numbers, that will give you a fairly accurate budget structure to work with...

and when you are ready to move, always price using the system and do a "blind" Own pricing quote from your local handy/preferred dealer...

Oh and make sure you have the "walk away" option because if you get bounced and have to buy out your lease in the first half of the lease the residual (in the early days you make no headway on the capital) wont cover the (instantaneous) depreciated value of the car

[Marakai]

[EDIT] Ah, never mind. With sufficient coffee I finally came awake enough to re-read your post again. I get it. Of course, I'll still have to wait for the dealers to have the prices, which isn't the case yet either it seems. The Alltrack isn't even on the VW Aus website yet. November, I guess. I also assume I'd want to still eventually get the leaseplan price to compare the deals?

I may sound like a moron but this all just went WHOOSH over my head! Probably because the novated leasing structure is new to me here in Australia (I'd only ever leased a car twice in my life before, once in Germany, once in the US).

Could you rephrase that in terms that I understand? ("Marakai go dealer! Marakai no hit on cute sales lady! Marakai get paper! Marakai go home, click button on funny computer thing!")

Nah, you don't... just get your dealer to price it up in the leaseplan format , go to the system, pick the passat diesel wagon (own pricing) and plug in all the numbers, that will give you a fairly accurate budget structure to work with...

and when you are ready to move, always price using the system and do a "blind" Own pricing quote from your local handy/preferred dealer...

Oh and make sure you have the "walk away" option because if you get bounced and have to buy out your lease in the first half of the lease the residual (in the early days you make no headway on the capital) wont cover the (instantaneous) depreciated value of the car

[drad81]

Can anyone tell me if it's worth going to the Motor Show this year.

I'm only considering on going to see the Alltrack to get some pricing and view the car (if it's even there)

When will dealers be getting these things in?