Volkswagens Upcoming Passat Wagon to Build on Entry-Level Premium Image

Will This High Style, High Tech Sport Wagon Put VW Back on Shoppers Radar Screen

From bland and sensible to sleek and sophisticated, Volkswagen has reworked its midsize sedan from the ground up. Aiming to address the middle ground between the ordinary family sedan and the junior-executive car, the latest Passat should hit home with even the most discerning buyers. Eager to add to its exciting sixth-generation Passat range, VW has just pulled the wraps off the Passat Wagon, which will be ushered in for global introduction this autumn.

The new Passat Wagon aims to lure in new customers to the VW family by offering class-leading technologies, high-performance engines and unexpected luxuries, while further developing the connection between driver and the road. An impressive goal, surely, but if properly executed, it will show the world that there is indeed life in the midsize wagon segment.

Against its rivals, the Passat has always appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest in terms of its appearance. Tasteful chrome slivers, beautiful alloy wheels, and slightly understated design make it look thousands of dollars more expensive than it actually is. The new version seeks to continue this classy trend with VWs new styling theme. The new corporate nose, with its rounded lamps and eye-catching chrome-laden bib, are bold, while its scalloped side flanks and rolled wheel arches give the side panels extra body, in much the same way that BMWs famed flamed surfaces do.

To increase the appeal of the Wagon models, VW has altered its styling technique, attempting to translate its sharp design into the wagon bodystyle, by taking a page from more stylish wagons, such as Audis popular A4 Avant, and Volvos youthful V50. Note the thicker rear pillars and their inset location, as well as the curved rear glass; these are the tricks that helped to reduce the rear ends boxiness. The Passat is based on a newer, larger platform, and stands 92 mm (3.6 in.) longer, 74 mm (2.9 in.) wider, and 19 mm (0.75 in.) taller than the current Passat Wagon.

Despite the more sloped rear liftgate, which normally limits the cargo-carrying capacity, the new Passat is able to carry a maximum of 1,731 liters (61.1 cu ft), a useful increase of 131 (4.6 cu ft) from the previous models 1,600-liter (56.5 cu ft) max. But not only can you pack more into the Passat, you can better organize it, thanks to an adjustable cargo management system. With moving and locking rails as well as retractable tether straps, bulky and cumbersome loads can easily be latched down to the floors and load areas. Options to make the Wagons versatility even more appealing include an automatic, self-leveling hydropneumatic rear suspension system, and a tailgate which opens, closes and locks at the touch of a button.

Base models are extremely well equipped, featuring a handful of class firsts, many of which are drawn from high-end Audis and other luxury cars. All Passats, including bottom-spec base models, will receive a space-saving electro-mechanical parking brake, electro-mechanical variable assist steering, and VWs new "Press & Drive" key-pass system, which replaces the conventional key with a card-like device which identifies the driver via a proximity sensor, allowing the car to be locked, unlocked and started without a key.

Moving up the list, the Passat can be loaded to the gills with enough gizmos and gadgets to keep even the most tech-savvy customers gleeful, like a kid in a candy store. Ticking off the right packages will equip the Passat with such features as a symphony-rivaling 600-watt Dynaudio sound system, a DVD navigation/stereo system and a Bluetooth telephone interface with separate keyboard for truly hands-free phoning. Other comfort-oriented options include twelve-way electrically adjustable seats and xenon headlamps that swivel to illuminate around corners.

Although European Passats will be available with a total of eight gasoline engines and three different turbodiesels, North American models will most likely be limited to a choice between three gasoline engines, all of which feature performance and economy-boosting FSI direct injection, plus one diesel. Base models will most likely have the 2.0-liter I-4 which makes 150 hp, while mid-level models will receive the 200 hp turbocharged variant, as featured in the Audi A3 Sportback and the A4 2.0T. To compete with high-end, upscale midsize products, VW will also offer the Passat with a powerful 250-hp 3.2-liter V6, paired with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

As the largest distributor of diesel-powered cars in Canada, VW will offer the TDI diesel in the Passat, making it the only midsize entry-level vehicle sold in North America with a turbodiesel powerplant. As with the current Passat TDI, its expected that the engine will be the 136-horsepower 2.0-liter common-rail turbodiesel, a motor thats been hailed by the press as torquey, smooth and refined. With such excellent diesel technology, we cant help but wonder if VW will decide to bring over its 170-hp 2.5-liter R5 variant, which features high-pressure piezo-injectors and nearly 300 lb-ft of torque. It would make for the perfect long-distance cruiser or heavy-load hauler, without the excessive fuel bill.

Although pricing and availability on the new Passat sedan has yet to be announced, we predict that the new Wagon will carry a $1,000 to $1,500 premium over equivalent sedan models, for their advanced cargo layout system and additional storage capacity. Starting prices for base-model wagons should be somewhere in the low $30,000 range. Expect the new Passat Wagon to hit the market in late 2006, following the arrival of the sedan by a few months.