Cory Wolfe

It's basically the same logic I see with my CRX. Depending on how I drive it, I see anywhere between 30 mpg and 50 mpg, a 20 mpg difference.

I really don't think your charger made that big of a difference, either. I had my Jetta loaded to the gills with an Ex's life and still managed my best fuel economy through Ohio. To also see another review post similar numbers to what we saw... Well, just sayin'.

You may see it below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk

Congrats Z.

You're confused. Turbocharging offers maximum torque at lower RPMs, generally lower than larger displacement engines with similar power output, and maintains that torque through the majority of the power band. This, while generally offering much better fuel efficiency. Lag, if implemented correctly, can be very minimal and hardly noticeable.

Random... "Barret Jackson" should never be abbreviated.

I... kind of like it? It's different and certainly better looking than the 612.

That is definitely something to think about, true. This is exactly why I say I'm eager to see where this takes Volkswagen, whether it be for better or for worse.

Happy birthday, Frank.

I haven't said it wasn't a downgrade, merely that it's no worse than its newly comparable competition. While design has taken a step back and available luxuries doesn't make up as long a list, material quality hasn't suffered. Like I've noted before, this isn't a Jetta part 2 in the interior department. Directly after sitting in the new Passat, I sat in a CC and a Jetta. It's a water-down version, which is the point. You may not like Volkswagen's intent, that's fine. It's not meant to appeal to you. Who it will appeal to? Those who continually buy Camrys, Accords, Malibus, etc. These people don't shop based on style nor whether or not the older Passat had a slightly more interesting and expensive interior. Why? The older Passat was priced out of contention and consideration. Only two vehicles managed lower sales in Volkswagen's line-up: the Touareg and Eos. Even the Routan and the 12 year old New Beetle outsold the Passat. Not only that, the Jetta wagon outsold it. Volkswagen sold 12,497 Passats last year and that was a 12% increase. I don't know about you, but I would probably want to do something differently, as well. Regarding reliability, it has always been factory related, the components themselves have proven to be sound, except for a few cases such as outsourced fuel pumps on certain vehicles. Volkswagen is attempting to address this with an all new factory. In addition, the now downmarket car should prove to be an easier product to produce. This is a big question mark that neither of us will know the true answer to until later on. I fully understand the need for this car for Volkswagen's sake. Will I ever buy one? No, it doesn't appeal to me and isn't meant to. Rather than condemn it, I'm eager to see where it takes Volkswagen and am giving it a chance to either prove itself or fail.

Actually... Yes, prop rod. Yes, goosenecks. No, the interior is on par with the previous Passat, material wise. Yes, no projectors or LEDs. Neither yes or no. The powertrains aren't new, but they're fully competant. No? No, the seats are still the best in the business.

I've forgotten just how bad that color combination is.

VW has been using using the rotary control for the sunroof just as long and is sticking with it. Every current and upcoming VW retains the design. I, personally, don't care for it, but many VW fanbois do. The biggest point to be made is that this new Passat isn't really a Passat. It was designed as an all new vehicle, naming it "Passat" came later in the cycle. VW essentially avoided Ford's mistake in abandoning the Taurus nameplate and recycled the well-regarded name. Because of all this, the interior is intentionally a downgrade from the outgoing Passat. Knocking the base price $8k will do such a thing. As well, the picture Dodgefan posted is of the even more expensive CC that we will still have if you want what the old Passat represented. Also, having been in the LaCrosse, it's essentially a draw on material quality. However, the LaCrosse's base price is where the current Passat is.

I, personally, prefer it without the wood and with the silver/piano black trim. Though, on a design basis, it's a valid point. It's certainly brings nothing new to the midsize segment. It's a plain, simplified design we've seen before. It could be considered something Volkswagen has always done, though to a much greater extent with their two new mainstream offers, for better or worse. It may not do Volkswagen any favors, but this segment has never really sold on style. The Camry and Accord have never managed to reinvent their interiors and the competitors who have tried, have never managed success. Top 5 sellers: Would you really rate any of these better?

Don't forget the Christ of cars... Hyundai Sonata Turbo.

I wouldn't judge too early. It's certainly bigger, but no more so than any other midsize sedan and everything is class-competitive regarding material quality and standard features. Meanwhile, with the 2.5L 5-cylinder you will remember from your Rabbit, it will hit 60 in 8.2 seconds and achieve 32 mpg. Your Rabbit, mind you, would hit 60 in 8 seconds flat, while returning only 30 mpg under the old EPA standards. Same engine, much bigger car, but look at the results. Volkswagen couldn't have fattened it up too much to make that possible.

The review is pretty much spot on with my experiences. The fuel economy is quizzical, indeed. As I told Drew, my Cobalt would hit 38 mpg on the drive to Detroit while we were only able to manage 29 mpg in the Cruze. The lower speeds of the return route due to snowy conditions did let us manage around 34 mpg. Still, at only 70 mph, cruise control set, 29 mpg is fairly poor for such a car. It's really the only drawback this car has.

Oh that's right. I ought to have a splendid drive in the CRX.

Just out of curiosity, what makes you say that? Color, trim, controls, seats, etc... Anything in particular?

Oh my yes. The 10 inch difference in length is all overhang for the Impala. Trunk space was pretty good, yes. I have a picture, but I didn't feel it was good enough to include in the Gallery.

That is a valiant point.

To give yourself an indication of its size... Imagine an Impala that's nearly a foot shorter, same wheelbase, but more interior room.

Drew speakeths the truth.

2012 Volkswagen Passat The Real Americanized German Sedan January 18th, 2011 Cory Wolfe - Writer/Photographer - CheersandGears.com Gallery - NAIAS 2011 - 2012 Volkswagen Passat One week ago, Volkswagen debuted their all-new 2012 Passat at this years North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This midsize sedan, slated to begin production around August, will be built at Volkswagen's, similarly all-new, plant in Chattanooga, TN. You may recall Volkswagen's new 6th generation Jetta having been "Americanized" for our market. In layman's term, they decontented it in a massive cost-cutting strategy to position it at the core of the compact segment. Essentially, Volkswagen has repeated that process here, but with one obvious difference: This new Passat is not the polar opposite of what came before it. Hold up, it actually is in many ways, all of which I will get into below. What I mean, however, is that it truly feels competitive inside and out. It doesn't feel cheap, unlike the Jetta. Volkswagen managed to make a bigger, cheaper Passat, that's not actually made of Rubbermaid. The Foundation In order to make all of this possible, Volkswagen needed a place to build this all-new sedan. Rather than choose an existing plant, Volkswagen chose to build an all-new plant in the heartland of America. The last time Volkswagen built anything in the U.S. dates back to July of 1988 when their Westmoreland County, PA facility was closed due to unprofitability. Starting life as an unfinished Chrysler building, Volkswagen began producing the Rabbit there in 1978. It marked the first time any foreign manufacturer had built automobiles in the U.S. since the second World War. After a 23 year absence, Volkswagen will once again begin the manufacturing of automobiles here by opening a new plant in Chattanooga, TN. This new plant is part of the $4 billion figure Volkswagen is investing in our market. Volkswagen claims it will be the most advanced and environmentally friendly automotive plant in the world, once opened. The plant will feature a revolutionary new paint shop, said to reduce emissions by a substantial amount. It will also introduce a new $40 million employee training center, said to be state of the art. The new Chattanooga plant will open this summer. All of this will supposedly help to ensure the new Passat's success here in America. The New, Much Larger Passat Possibly the biggest news here is the Passat's significantly increased size. Length is up a full 4 inches to 191.7 inches, all of which is seen implemented in its longer wheelbase, up to 110.4 inches. Width is also up, though marginally, to 72.2 inches. Where all of this is most noticeable is in the rear of the cabin. It's quite airy with more-than-generous legroom. In fact, it felt more roomy than any other midsize sedan I've recently been in. Space up front is equally as generous. Outside, the Passat's larger footprint is evident. The added length and girth over the outgoing model is obvious. It's mere presence is massive, even, if compared to the smaller Jetta or more svelte CC. However, none of its added size seems to be overdone in terms of looks. It's stately, while being decidedly trim and fairly athletic. The constrained lines and perfectly proportioned body give it an elegant, classy look. There are no gimmicky design trends or bulbous shapes here. It's German simplicity, at it's best. Despite all of this glowing, this may be the Passat's biggest downfall. These days, automotive design is all about being brash with in your face designs that you either love, or hate. Even the perpetrators of everything dull, Toyota, is trying to set itself apart from others with its organic shapes and blobs. The Koreans have charged the hardest with their radical change in design direction, winning praise from even the toughest critics. Volkswagen, instead, chose the safe route and in doing so, is receiving equally as exciting opinions. The overall aura of commentary at NAIAS was just how plain the new Passat appeared. Many described it as a magnified Jetta. One discussion I overhead entailed a hypothetical situation, described as taping over the badges and asking a group of people to guess who made it. It's a valiant point, with Volkswagen choosing to leave originality on the table for their new mainstream sedan. Is there room for conservative design anymore? Volkswagen seems to think so, despite middling opinions. Personally, I agree, and am a fan of Volkswagen's design philosophy in whole. Whether it will prove to be a success in the U.S. market will remain to be seen until the end of summer. Trimmed Up Volkswagen plans to offer 6 different configurations at launch, keeping options to a bare minimum. Each of the three trim levels, S, SE, and SEL, will have two levels available along with the option of a sunroof on SE. Similar to the design, Volkswagen is keeping things simple. That's not to say it won't be well-equipped, with Passat's base trim expected to feature a myriad of standard features. Notable features throughout the range include a valet parking feature, ambient lighting, keyless ignition, remote engine starting, and the addition of a new premium sound system by Fender. The system is said to deliver harmonically complex sound with uncompromised clarity; a truly premium sound. In addition to the aforementioned, Volkswagen has also packed the Passat full of safety features. Included as standard equipment across the board will be Volkswagen's advanced intelligent crash response system, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stabilization program, ABS with braking assist, hill climb assist on manual-transmission equipped models, and six air bags. Powertrains will include your choice of three engines and three transmissions. The venerable 2.5L five-cylinder engine with 170 hp makes it debut under the Passat nameplate for the first time. With it will come the choice of either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is estimated to be 8.2 seconds to 60 with fuel economy to come in at 32 mpg. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a 3.6L VR6 engine will be available. Making 280 hp and hitting 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, it's sure to be a joy. It's sole transmission will be Volkswagen's renown 6-speed DSG transmission. Marking its return to the Passat for the first time since 2005 will be a TDi model featuring a 2.0L turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 140 hp and 235 lb/ft of torque. This oil-burning delight will be available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG transmission. It is expected to return a remarkable 43 mpg on the highway with an even more remarkable 800 mile range. Gone from this all new Passat is the 2.0L TFSI engine and the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Passat is not the most technologically advanced. You will find more revolutionary features elsewhere, but it looks to have the core features to go toe-to-toe with the segment stalwarts. As is the general tone of this debut, it does not have much flair, but there is no fluff to be found. This is, perhaps, the biggest departure from the outgoing Passat. Whereas that car was loaded to the gills, and therefore, priced out of reach for many, this new Passat will open to the door to many potential cross-shopping customers. Volkswagen's biggest asset here will likely be the returning availability of the TDi. Along with the Jetta, they are the only competitors in their respective segments to offer a diesel variant. With TDi sales up and demand surpassing supply, this bodes well for its reintroduction into the midsize segment. There are many people, including myself, of whom would much rather go diesel, than go hybrid. Throne of Quality Sitting inside, one thing is evident: This is not a Jetta rerun. The first thing you will notice are the seats, lavishly covered in leather and suede. It's a wonderful combination that looks great and absolutely fabulous to touch. These are some of the best upholstered seats in the business, let alone the midsize segment. They are also best in terms of comfort and adjustability, something Volkswagen has long been known for. Focusing on your surroundings, you'll notice soft-touch, low-sheen plastics on the dash and door panels. Atop of the dash is an analog clock situated between the center vents. Below that, spanning across the dash and accented elsewhere is a faux wood trim that is neither convincing nor revolting. All in all, everything is a standard affair for Volkswagen and on par with the previous iteration Passat. Beyond design, that is. The interior is styled even more conservatively than the exterior. There's no excitement whatsoever, just a basic interior that's finished well. It's attractive, if you don't mind the lack of originality. To Sum it Up The new Passat is Volkswagen's most important vehicle in reaching its 800,000 annual sales goal by 2018. It will be diving head first into the most proficient car segment in the U.S, currently dominated by the big three Japanese automakers. With sales of only 12,000 Passats last year, handily outsold by it's own Passat-spawned CC and nearly every other midsize sedan available, Volkswagen wants, and needs, this new sedan to capture the hearts of Americans. With billions invested, the Passat holds the key to Volkswagen's success. Does it have what it takes? I think so. There are some asterisks here, however. Volkswagen is specifically aiming to sell around 150k Passats per year, outpacing their currently best-selling Jetta. As Suzuki learned the hard way, offering a competent vehicle does not guarantee success. There are far more factors at work here to consider. Namely, Volkswagen's not-so-spotless reliability record. With this new Passat comes the new Chattanooga plant and the relative unknown regarding reliability. As with sales, Volkswagen is placing hope on this new sedan to turn that around. If Volkswagen can pull that off, we may see some surprises. This new Passat has the goods to compete with the perennial best-sellers. No, it's not the best, nor the most exciting, and no, it's not the cheapest, nor the most fuel efficient either. One thing it most certainly is not, is the worst. What is it, then, you ask? It's a thoroughly competent, larger, more attainable Passat with a broader spectrum of trims and powertrains. It's no longer just a high-priced German specialty. Personally speaking, I'm eager to drive one and curious to see how the future unfolds for Volkswagen. Have a look at our 2012 Volkswagen Passat Gallery from NAIAS 2011, as well as some related links below. Gallery - NAIAS 2011 - 2012 Volkswagen Passat Press Release - 2012 Volkswagen Passat December 2010 Sales: Volkswagen Group of America