More than 7,900 websites blocked and over 22,900 online content seized for violations in 2024    SPL executive Saad Al Lazeez steps down    33,000 Saudi-made luxury carpets adorn Grand Mosque    Saudi Arabia first in region to receive WHO verification for Type 2 emergency medical response    SP Jain Global ranked 23 in the world in QS Executive MBA Rankings 2025    US Envoy Witkoff: Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks to resume in Jeddah on Sunday    Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza, vows to fight 'in full force'    Haram Authority provides low-calorie meals to guests of God in Grand Mosque    Saudi Arabia announces school holiday in Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif for Formula 1    Migrant carers from India's Kerala await justice in UK visa 'scams'    Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally return to Earth    Harry's US visa records unsealed after drug claims    Saudi Arabia slams Israeli attempts to destabilize Syria through continuous attacks    Istituto Marangoni to open Riyadh campus in August 2025    Saudi Arabia surpasses self-sufficiency in figs    Princess Reema bint Bandar greets Saudi Special Olympics team in Jeddah    AFC Champions League Elite Finals draw sets stage for Jeddah showdown    Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43    Antenna: Saudi artist Ahmed Mater opens first solo exhibition in China    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Man lives for 100 days with titanium heart in successful new trial    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    









Down The Road With Volkswagen Passat
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 10 - 10 - 2015


Tim Saunders
Saudi Gazette


Owners of successful businesses keep a tight rein on absolutely every aspect to deliver the best possible bottom line. Fact.
This mindset is reflected in the vehicles they drive. And so sensible forward thinkers cannot help but be attracted by the new Passat four door saloon from Volkswagen. And it's a diesel. “But what about the emissions scandal?” I hear you cry.
Yes, there are going to be software upgrades and there have been mutterings about this being detrimental to fuel economy. If, like me, you take the view that Volkswagen is probably not alone, then most diesel vehicles are going to have an issue. Also, this crisis only relates to Volkswagen's diesel cars. That's a key point when worrying whether software updates will affect fuel economy. VW's petrol engines are the most fuel efficient I have tested and I still expect their diesel engines to be the industry leaders, after this storm has blown over.
In 1.6-litre TDi Bluemotion SE Business guise the Passat is a vehicle that will return over 60mpg and can travel around 650 miles on its 70 litre tank, helped by reliable automatic stop/start. This is arrived at during normal everyday driving, not religiously sticking to 56mph as is often the case with these figures.
VW also owns Bentley and refinements from these vehicles are creeping into the more attainable Passat. For instance, the intelligent cruise control, which, with the help of a radar, keeps the Passat at a safe distance behind the car in front, automatically braking and accelerating as required. A similar system can be found in Volvos.
This Business edition Passat scores highly all round. Its interior is finished to a high standard and clearly much thought has gone into placement of switches and de-cluttering the dashboard. With equipment levels that include heated front seats and even a heated steering wheel, occupants remain comfortable no matter what the climate. However, one qualm from both my wife and I, is that over a long journey we ache and feel that more padding on the front seats would resolve this issue. Another surprise for me is the thin boot lid; it does not shut with a satisfying thunk, rather a tiny echo.
It's a surprisingly large vehicle too, with a cavernous boot that swallows all of our luggage with ease. Usually no matter what vehicle we travel in we end up having to put luggage inside the car but this is not necessary in the Passat, which is really refreshing.
There is plenty of space inside, both in the rear and the front. This size is only really noticed when negotiating tight, narrow roads where the kerb is clipped by the nearside rear tyre. There is a useful camera for reversing and helpful bleeps alert the driver to obstacles.
Equipped with a seven speed DSG automatic gearbox it can be driven like a manual if desired or there are paddle shifts either side of the steering wheel so that you can drive like a racing driver should the mood require. Whichever you choose the Passat should not disappoint. Bearing in mind that it is only a 1.6-litre it does provide reasonable performance. Greater performance can be achieved with the 1.9-litre engine. While it will happily potter around the town at 30mph it will burst into life if necessary and although not the quickest it is fast enough. Between 30mph and 40mph the gearbox can be a little indecisive over revving when a gear change would be better. But of course this can be overcome if the automatic box is overridden. The sound of the diesel unit can be heard from inside but this is quickly removed at speed.
Fitted with an electronic handbrake there is also a useful auto hold switch that can be turned on to counter rolling on a hill start. With no traditional ignition there is a push button start.
Satellite navigation takes the strain and stress away from finding places and makes for a more leisurely journey and the system fitted in the Passat is generally easy to use and reliable. It is not infallible and does get confused with some of the roads in Normandy, France but quickly rights itself. The offer of finding a filling station when the fuel level is too low is certainly helpful.
The Passat is also attractive. Although it is more angular than its predecessor it seems lower to the ground and more sporty, cutting a fine example in the car park. I like the electronically folding wing mirrors and the incorporated courtesy light that lights the way at night.
The difficulties at Volkswagen have highlighted that there is a trade off between power, fuel efficiency and emissions in diesel engines no matter who makes them.
Facts at a glance
Price: around £30,000
0-60mph: 12.5secs
Top speed: 120mph
Power: 120bhp
Economy: 60mpg
Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz


Clic here to read the story from its source.