Passat Alltrack news

[Spook]

The Alltrack is now available in NZ, and they have listed a 2 tonne towing capacity.

Here's their specs: http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/media/co...eet_passat.pdf

[phaeton]

Why the hell would they rate it lower than the manufacturer?! Australian nanny-state " we know what's good and safe for you and better than you do" in action again?

That blows and quite likely puts me back at the drawing board. The Alltrack (in fact any cross-over apart from the A6 Allroad) would be out of consideration. Leaving only a full-bore SUV.

Sorry to be blunt before have been getting over a bug.

The reason why its been downgraded is because the 2.2 tonne towing is rated on an 8% (braked) incline whereas the UK and NZ (not sure on Australia) are rated at 12% (braked) incline.

[Marakai]

Sorry to be blunt before have been getting over a bug.

The reason why its been downgraded is because the 2.2 tonne towing is rated on an 8% (braked) incline whereas the UK and NZ (not sure on Australia) are rated at 12% (braked) incline.

It's all good, mate, I'm not exactly Mr. Congeniality with a cold either.

However, as to what you wrote, Germany actually rates on both (the doco shows 8%/12% with 2200/2000kg) and using only one is still a bit of a joke here.

WHERE in Australia do you even get 8% inclines, never mind 12%? Unless you live on top of Mt Buller. Whose hare-brained idea was it to use that the only baseline? Not counting your 4x4 off-road tracks - I mean who takes a 2 ton trailer on those? Seriously?!

The average road I'd take a horse trailer likely has a max. incline of 1% otherwise the critters fall out the back.

[booba]

I am no expert on towing or balls lol. but I think that the oem towball/bar is different from europe to australia, maybe this has something to do with it?

Why the hell would they rate it lower than the manufacturer?! Australian nanny-state " we know what's good and safe for you and better than you do" in action again?

That blows and quite likely puts me back at the drawing board. The Alltrack (in fact any cross-over apart from the A6 Allroad) would be out of consideration. Leaving only a full-bore SUV.

[Marakai]

I am no expert on towing or balls lol. but I think that the oem towball/bar is different from europe to australia, maybe this has something to do with it?

So, if you order the "factory-installed" tow kit, where is it actually put in? Isn't the Volkswagen original one a kind of "fancy" retractable one installed in... Emden, I believe for the 4Motion/DSG types, including the Alltrack? Do they then adjust to country of delivery?

Or are tow kits always installed locally due to the difference you mentioned? After seeing some photos on this very forum on what crap jobs have been done there, I'd dread having it done here. I would trust those to tow a cardboard box, never mind a horse trailer!

I think I'll ask on the German forum what the specs for the VW-installed kit is there for comparison.

[booba]

Factory tow ball doesn't comply with local standards or some****.. tow ball/bar is always installed locally and not vw oem from my understanding.

So, if you order the "factory-installed" tow kit, where is it actually put in? Isn't the Volkswagen original one a kind of "fancy" retractable one installed in... Emden, I believe for the 4Motion/DSG types, including the Alltrack? Do they then adjust to country of delivery?

Or are tow kits always installed locally due to the difference you mentioned? After seeing some photos on this very forum on what crap jobs have been done there, I'd dread having it done here. I would trust those to tow a cardboard box, never mind a horse trailer!

I think I'll ask on the German forum what the specs for the VW-installed kit is there for comparison.

[Marakai]

Factory tow ball doesn't comply with local standards or some****.. tow ball/bar is always installed locally and not vw oem from my understanding.

You mean the "standards" that are actually *sub*-standard compared to that of other developed countries?

EDIT: I wonder what to make of this. Last paragraph: "[...] likely option along with [...] an electrically deployed towbar." The locally built-in ones are also electric and retractable?

[Marakai]

Just spoke with a sales guy at Bayford Volkswagen in Epping and according to him the Alltrack in Australia is a case of "no idea when it will show up". Despite it being on sale in NZ! No pricing, no dates.

EDIT: email from VW Aus customer care says and I quote, "The latest information we have regarding the release of the Passat
Alltrack is late 2012."

Can't help but wonder if they delayed it so as not to steal the limelight from the CC intro.

[brenno]

I saw an Alltrack on Parramatta road today so they can't be too far away. Probably gearing up for the Sydney Motor Show next month.

[phaeton]

I saw an Alltrack on Parramatta road today so they can't be too far away. Probably gearing up for the Sydney Motor Show next month.

Yes most likely, saw them in Germany I think they will do well here. I see so many Volvo XC70's, Outback's and allroad's in my area.

[FSI 220]

Might look at the Alltrack next time... as an MY14 perhaps...

My last big drive in the Passat was to the farm, the mudflaps touched down everywhere when fully loaded (that was on the tarmac drive, when the mudflaps deck at a hundred and ten they sound horrid), let alone hanging up and three wheeling on the graded tracks.... the extra 30mm will help...

Does anyone know when the Passat goes to the new body architecture? might wait and drive the "new" runabout till then...

[Guest001]

Well NZ is ahead of us on this as I saw an Alltrack at VW in Christchurch last week Started at about $52000 over there.

They were doing their best to sell me one and reckoned the Passat TDI wagon was phased out over there???? I didnt bother to question further.

Also had a nice white Sirrocco in the room

Personally looking at one I wouldnt be taking it "Offroad" as in what Aussies call offroad.

It was a "bit" higher but not a lot and had wider wheel arches but is still a Passat wagon with extra bits.

I took TDI wagon over a difficult driveway a couple of weeks ago and it creaked and now have a rattle in the dash.

God help it after the Tanami Track LOL

They would be far better described as a SOFT roader I think.

I would think a Tiguan would be better off road

[booba]

I reckon we will get one more update on passat then over to the new platform in MY15.

Might look at the Alltrack next time... as an MY14 perhaps...

My last big drive in the Passat was to the farm, the mudflaps touched down everywhere when fully loaded (that was on the tarmac drive, when the mudflaps deck at a hundred and ten they sound horrid), let alone hanging up and three wheeling on the graded tracks.... the extra 30mm will help...

Does anyone know when the Passat goes to the new body architecture? might wait and drive the "new" runabout till then...

[FSI 220]

They would be far better described as a SOFT roader I think.

I would think a Tiguan would be better off road

Yeah well... you cant put this much stuff in a tiguan...



I only took the Passat to the farm because the roads had just been graded... they are graded once a year... and that nearly stumped it on clearance (drive was good)..... The thing is called Alltrack, not Offtrack...

I can wait until My15 now... driving something that is fun enough