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Hi all,
Dropped into the local dealer to view the new Passat & my very first impression was that it most definitely looks better in the flesh than in pics & vids. However in this new B8 as opposed to the old B7 the sedan now looks the better than the wagon. Subjective of course but the sedan does look good.
On offer today was a R-line 2.0 TDi wagon (140kw) & an R-line 2.0 TSi sedan (132kw). Both were fully specced & certainly looked & felt more upmarket than the B7's. Space is a bit of a revelation in comparison to the B7 which was good but the B8 is better thanks to the longer wheelbase & better packaging.
I elected to drive the TSi sedan cos' I ain't no fan of diesel & it looked better than the wagon. In R-line the progressive steering is standard & immediately the car feels more taught & better sorted than the B7's. It does turn in quicker than B7 but as reported is a bit choppy in sport mode running on the 19's. However, that is never really to intrusive & if needed can be sorted if switched to normal or comfort modes. As is always the case when taking a seat in a German car it feels solid & secure & sound insulation is very good. Radio was good in both AM-FM & the 8" screen with oodles of info available is a big winner.
Back to the cabin space question, leg room is fantastic as is foot room in the drivers footwell. In the pics of the cabin, specifically the rear seat pic you will see where the drivers seat is & subsequent room behind it. I am 6-2' fella's & leg room behind drivers seat was excellent. In comparison to the B7, the B8's cabin seems to sit lower or better put whilst more spacious still makes you feel snug & well cocooned. The sport seats are comfortable however a full memory-electric function is surprisingly not available at all. Not good enough VAG......!!!!!!
The 132kw-250nm 2.0ltr TSi with front wheel drive is willing & free revving but there is a little lag which is sorted by going into paddle shift mode. Ultimately though if like me you are coming from the 3.6 V6 then a bit disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it is still a great engine but it needs more. Coming from the V6 petrol Passat with 4-motion the obvious choice should be the 206kw 380nm 4-motion Golf R engine & drivetrain for the Passat. It is available in other markets such as NZ. VAG, are you listening....?
In summary, very impressed with the new B8's. Well packaged, as solid as ever & now better looking. Just need a better engine & drivetrain option at the top of the list & no, not the Bi-turbo diesel. I'm talking 206kw & 4-motion of petrol goodness.
Dropped into the local dealer to view the new Passat & my very first impression was that it most definitely looks better in the flesh than in pics & vids. However in this new B8 as opposed to the old B7 the sedan now looks the better than the wagon. Subjective of course but the sedan does look good.
On offer today was a R-line 2.0 TDi wagon (140kw) & an R-line 2.0 TSi sedan (132kw). Both were fully specced & certainly looked & felt more upmarket than the B7's. Space is a bit of a revelation in comparison to the B7 which was good but the B8 is better thanks to the longer wheelbase & better packaging.
I elected to drive the TSi sedan cos' I ain't no fan of diesel & it looked better than the wagon. In R-line the progressive steering is standard & immediately the car feels more taught & better sorted than the B7's. It does turn in quicker than B7 but as reported is a bit choppy in sport mode running on the 19's. However, that is never really to intrusive & if needed can be sorted if switched to normal or comfort modes. As is always the case when taking a seat in a German car it feels solid & secure & sound insulation is very good. Radio was good in both AM-FM & the 8" screen with oodles of info available is a big winner.
Back to the cabin space question, leg room is fantastic as is foot room in the drivers footwell. In the pics of the cabin, specifically the rear seat pic you will see where the drivers seat is & subsequent room behind it. I am 6-2' fella's & leg room behind drivers seat was excellent. In comparison to the B7, the B8's cabin seems to sit lower or better put whilst more spacious still makes you feel snug & well cocooned. The sport seats are comfortable however a full memory-electric function is surprisingly not available at all. Not good enough VAG......!!!!!!
The 132kw-250nm 2.0ltr TSi with front wheel drive is willing & free revving but there is a little lag which is sorted by going into paddle shift mode. Ultimately though if like me you are coming from the 3.6 V6 then a bit disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it is still a great engine but it needs more. Coming from the V6 petrol Passat with 4-motion the obvious choice should be the 206kw 380nm 4-motion Golf R engine & drivetrain for the Passat. It is available in other markets such as NZ. VAG, are you listening....?
In summary, very impressed with the new B8's. Well packaged, as solid as ever & now better looking. Just need a better engine & drivetrain option at the top of the list & no, not the Bi-turbo diesel. I'm talking 206kw & 4-motion of petrol goodness.
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