2008 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT VR6 4MOTION Test Drive

With its new ‘candy white’ custom paint, VW’s ultimate sedan is looking more sleek and stylish than ever. The Passat VR6 4Motion is the most accessible German-made near-luxury sedan on the market. It features segment-leading room, comfort, sophisticated technology, and yes, great performance on the pavement.

 

The styling is clean and smooth with a deep, black aero kit running from front to rear that lowers the appearance and stance of the car. Up front is the VW signature chrome grille with three black intakes at the flanks with integrated fog lamps. The lamp clusters are cut into the top of the fascia and feature adaptive Bi-Xenon head lamps with projector beam turning lamps and Daytime Running Lamps. The silhouette shows the swept-back windshield pillars, aero-styled remote/heated side mirrors, pull-out door handles, a wide chrome strip running around the greenhouse, thick B-pillar, and a ‘sling-shot’ rear side glass treatment. The roof quickly falls to the top of the short trunk lid with a lip spoiler at the edge. The rear fascia features wrap-around lamps clusters, a chrome strip that starts behind the front fenders, and two, round exhaust tips.

 

Powering the Passat VR6 4Motion is a potent 3.6 liter, DOHC VVT Direct Gasoline Injection V6 engine featuring a cast iron block and aluminum heads. This engine generates 280hp and 265lb.ft. of toque and is mated to a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel and a ‘Sport’ gear that quickens shift times and gear ratios. The VW 4Motion all-wheel-drive system comes standard is from Sweden’s Haldex. It features a locking center differential that ensures grip and traction in all weather conditions, also enhancing its handling prowess.

 

The fully galvanized steel unitized body and frame is very stiff and doesn’t allow any noise, vibration or harshness to seep into the car when you are driving. You’ll also have to thank VW for the unique, fully independent suspension that under-pins the chassis and gives back such comfortable and controlled ride.

Up front is a MacPherson design with triangular wishbones, coil springs, self-leveling, telescopic shocks and a stabilizer bar. The rear features a 4-link design with self-leveling telescopic shocks; weight optimized anti-roll bar and axle acoustically decoupled from the body.

 

Quick reaction to your inputs is via the electromechanical power rack & pinion steering system. The wheel did feel a little light but always kept me going where is wanted the car to go. A standard electronic stabilization program is combined with anti-slip regulation (traction control), and electronic differential locking for even great handling ability. The VR6 4Motion Passat has its engine mounted transversely rather longitudinally because it frees up cabin space and allows for enhanced balance and smoother powertrain operation.

 

The new Passat VR6 4Motion can blast out to 60mph from a standstill in just 6.2sec. and return 26mpg/highway and 16mpg/city.

Big, 18X8in. aluminum alloy wheels are wrapped with Pirelli 235/40R P6 performance tires that stuff the fenders and enhance traction and grip.

 

The big brakes fitted to the VR6 4Motion enabled me to go into a turn deeper, knowing that these large, 4-wheel discs will quickly and safely slow the car down. Up front are 13.5in. vented discs clamped with big, dual-piston calipers while the rear features 12in. solid discs clamped with large, single-piston calipers. Standard ABS and Brake Assist enhance braking control and power.

 

The first class interior is both comfortable and sporty. The doors open very wide to reveal deeply cut, leather trimmed, 12-way adjustable front bucket seats with an
‘old-school’ ribbed design. These seats are very comfortable and very supportive, perfect for spirited driving. The standard leather-wrapped steering wheel features tilt-telescoping for the perfect angle and reach. A red backlit information display is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer for easy reading. The display includes a compass, odometer, and indicators for the radio station, gear selector and outside temperature.

 

The T-shaped dashboard features a ‘floating’ top design that is very refreshing to see.
The interior is beautifully trimmed in aluminum and chrome showing the old-world craftsmanship found in the finest German automobiles. A Danish-built Dynaudio AM-FM-CD/MP3 with six-disc in-dash CD changer comes with eight speakers and steering wheel audio controls. Optional is a DVD-based navigation system, SIRIUS satellite radio, adaptive cruise-control and power sunroof.

 

Standard features include dual-zone climate control with pollen filter, cruise-control, all windows express up/down with central locking, 4-person memory, front center armrest with storage, dual cup holders/front and rear, remote release for trunk and fuel door, press-start ignition switch, front and rear carpeted floor mats, cargo net, grab handles above each door, electronic parking brake, heated windshield washer nozzles, intermittent front wipers with rain sensor speed control, dual map lamps, lighted vanity mirrors, rear reading lights and 40/60 split-folding rear seats that can help with large cargo items.

 

Standard safety features include driver/front passenger airbag supplemental restraint system, driver/front passenger side airbags, side-curtain protection front/rear, 3-point safety belts for all five places with front pretensioners/load limiters, lower anchors for LATCH, child safety rear doors, daytime running lamps, tire pressure monitoring, front/rear crush zones and steel beams in each door.

 

The 2008 Volkswagon Passat VR6 4Motion is one of the best bargains out there for a very well made German four-door sedan, just a hair short of the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series but priced thousands less than any comparably-equipped model.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Midsize Sedan
Where Built: Germany
EPA Class: Midsize Cars

Price

MSRP: $38,000
Invoice: $35,556

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 188.2 in. Width: 71.7 in.
Height: 58 in. Wheel Base: 106.7 in.
Ground Clearance: 5.2 in. Curb Weight: 3696 lbs.
Gross Weight: 4765 lbs.
Interior
Front Shoulder Room: 55.7 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 54.6 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.4 in. Rear Leg Room: 37.7 in.
Luggage Capacity: 14.2 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.6 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 280 hp
Max Horsepower: 6200 rpm Torque: 265 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2750 rpm Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 35.8 ft.

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Automatic: : 16 mpg / 24 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 296 mi. / 444 mi.