2009 Volkswagen Passat CC
August 25, 2009
Elegant, sporty, dynamic - The accessories for the “Best of the Best” title-holder and “red dot design award” winner: The Passat CC. From aerodynamics to wheels onward to noble sill protectors: the product range offers a broad selection of design-oriented, perfectly fitting Volkswagen Genuine Accessories products.
The front spoiler sets the stage for the aerodynamic accessory product range. It provides the elegant lines of the Passat CC front with a sporty note. The front spoiler design optimises the aerodynamics and reduces aerodynamic drag. The seamlessly adapted side skirt set emphasises the striking side profile of the four-door coupé and creates a visual contrast to the distinct shoulder line - the tornado line. The rear spoiler creates a striking extension of the luggage compartment lid, optimises the overall sporty appearance and reduces the tail lift. The high-gloss rear strip in chrome effect provides an additional visual accent while simultaneously protecting the rim of the luggage compartment. Passionate drivers can enter their Passat CC in style with the stainless steel sill protector with 3D Passat lettering.
Volkswagen Accessories has developed the titanium-coloured 19 inch “Sagitta” light alloy wheel with slightly rotated spokes and clear lines. The visual finishing touch for the Passat CC.
Volkswagen Passat CC Enchants the World
July 3, 2009
Last night the Aalto Theater in Essen provided the setting for a wonderful prize ceremony during which Martin Kropp, designer at Exterior Design Studio 1, accepted the “red dot Design Award” for Volkswagen. The “red dot Design Award” is one of today’s most coveted awards that a designer can win for a creative product. The prize has been awarded every year since 2000.
In March, the Passat CC was awarded the prestigious “iF Product Design Award 2009″ in Hanover. At the end of May the coupé also swept the board down under where it won the renowned “Australian International Design Award” in the “Automotive and Transport” category.
2008 Volkswagen Passat R36 Review
September 19, 2008
Model Tested:
* 2008 Volkswagen Passat R36 wagon 3.6-litre V6 DSG 4MOTION - $66,990 (RRP)
Options:
* Electric Glass Tilt/Slide Sunroof $1990 (Fitted), RNS510 Satellite Navigation with RVC Plus $2990 (Fitted), DynAudio 600W Premium Audio System $1990, Automatic Tailgate Operation $750
+ Stylish, Fast, Settled Cornering, Well Kitted
- DSG Self Up-Shifts, Premium Fuel, Firm Ride
When last I reviewed the Passat I was quite impressed. Then I test drove the Touareg R50 and was blown away. When I borrowed the Golf R32, I didn’t return home for a week. Can you imagine then my joy at being slung in to the cockpit of Volkswagen’s latest R offering?
The R36 is a Passat based sport wagon (sedan available - $64,990) with a bigger direct injection V6 engine, commanding all-wheel drive grip and lower, stiffer suspension. It’s a pretty standard formula in gaining additional performance from a pre-existing platform, but as with any enhanced vehicle the devil is in the detail - and being German, detail is what Volkswagen does best.
At a glance you could well be forgiven for assuming this is just another Passat, and perhaps that’s a very good thing. There’s no monster front air dam, no gaudy bonnet scoop, no dumb decals or stripes plastered from one end to the other and no ‘fully sick zhorst’ to attract unwanted attention, bro.
Instead the R36 is endowed with a subtle set of side skirts, lightly flared guards, chrome roof rails, a brief flick at the top of the tailgate and a set of dual pipes to hint at what lies beneath – this is the family sports car.
If you’re in the know, the 25mm reduction in ride height, absence of front fog lamps, curious soft burble under throttle and larger ten spoke Omanyt 18-inch alloy wheels might give the game away or, if you’re lucky enough to catch one standing still, the small R badge at each end could let you know this is no ordinary five-seat wagon.
The R36 also picks up dusk-sensing, self-leveling and cornering bi-xenon headlights with heated washers, automatic windscreen wipers, darkened tailight lenses, integrated rear fog lamp, metallic paint and chrome bright work around the glass. But from a distance, or to the casual observer, it remains every bit a Passat, true sleeper style.
Inside all the goodies we’ve come to expect from a top shelf VW are included. There’s dual-zone, climate control, air-conditioning with auto re-circulate function, cruise control, an alarm system, a ten speaker 250W six-CD audio system with console mounted iPod jack, full function trip computer, self-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear acoustic parking sensors, reversing camera with guidance assist, one touch power windows and self-folding and heated power wing mirrors (the left one of which dips when reverse is selected).
There’s also a sumptuous set of 12-way electronically adjustable heated San Remo suede and Vienna leather sports seats with memory settings and electro-pneumatically adjustable bolsters which are exclusive to the R36 (rear outboard seats are also heated). A fat leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and polished stainless steel pedals, all with R Flag livery, compliment the alloy dash fascia and console to give the whole interior a feel more opulent than sporty.
But while that’s all well and good, all these niceties are just a bonus when you consider that an R badge is so much more than just pampering and good looks. The R badge is also very much about the drive - and what a drive it is.
Propelling Passat is a potent 3.6-litre, DOHC, direct-injection V6 engine developing a very tidy 220kW at 6600 revs and muscular 350Nm of torque, which is available across the majority of the rev-range (from 2400 all the way to 5300 rpm) for very linear acceleration and staggering mid-gear pull.
VW’s illustrious dual-clutch, DSG six-speed transmission (with steering wheel mounted shift buttons) takes care of the cog swapping brilliantly and is well calibrated to throttle input, except perhaps on initiation where a little additional pressure on the accelerator is required to engage drive.
It’s a well sorted gearbox though, swift of action and decisive in function, one of the best. My only gripe would be that in manual mode it will up shift of its own accord, which is frustrating if you’re trying to hold revs between corners.
The 4MOTION viscous coupling all-wheel drive system transfers power to the driven wheels as required for maximum traction and can even direct torque frontward or rearward depending on slip feedback felt by the electronic Haldex clutch system. While it’s not as technologically clever as some systems out there (think Mitsubishi’s Evolution), it still manages to provide maximum adhesion for minimum fuss, even in the wet.
Handling is superb. In fact for a larger car you almost wonder how it’s possible to have this amount of cling. The lowered and re-tuned strut front, multi-link rear suspension means cornering is flat, settled and sublime with the amount of drive on offer only enhancing those characteristics even further.
Point and shoot input sensitive speed proportional electro-hydraulic power steering is rightfully weighty, communicative and involving with slight corrections in course accurately and instantaneously translated to the road. Rapid direction changes are met with servile compliance from the chassis without so much of a hint in traction loss.
Pulling away from bends is simply phenomenal with plenteous traction, a sweet melodious exhaust warble and curious yet subtle inlet whine as the valve timing changes on the hard spin to the 7000rpm cut out. Perhaps curiously it doesn’t feel fast. A quick glance at the speedo will assure you that it most certainly is, but the R36 is just so settled and planted on the road that the feeling of speed takes some reference to drive home how fast it truly is. Quite deceptive given our archaic speed limits.
The brakes with blue painted calipers (exclusive to R models) are powerfully assertive and make for purposefully hard deceleration with sure footed poise. Best of all is the tangibility in feedback and maximum manageability from a firm yet progressive pedal offering positive, quantitive feel and precise ABS calibration, as well as perfectly balanced distribution.
A few people have made mention about the ride being too stiff in this car, and to an extent I agree. But when you consider the intent of the R package, the cornering grip on offer and the fact that the adrenalin produced will most likely dull your pain receptors for a few days after a spirited drive, this one negative is but a minute compromise.
For safety’s sake the R36 comes standard with ABS, EBA, EBD, ESP, ASR (Traction Control), Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Brake Hold (part of VW’s electro-mechanical park brake system) and ISOFIX preparation for the kid’s seats as well as dual front, side (front and rear) and curtain airbags. The five-star EuroNCAP rating comes as no surprise and it’s comforting to know the level of safety is on par with Passat’s performance.
With little in the way of direct competition, the R36 is an exclusive ride packing a lot of punch, a flock of features and a seductive individuality almost hidden under the stylish vista that is Passat - the only issue I have now is handing it back.
Specifications:
• Engine: 3597cc DOHC V6 (24 valve)
• Power: 220kW @ 6600rpm
• Torque: 350Nm @ 2400 – 5300rpm
• Transmission: Six-speed, dual-clutch DSG
• Brakes: four-wheel disc with ABS, EBA & EBD
• Driven Wheels: All
• 0-100km/h: 5.6 seconds
• Top Speed: 250km/h (electronically limited)
• Fuel Type: 98RON Unleaded
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
• Fuel Consumption: 10.7 litres per 100km (Combined)
• CO2 Emissions: 254 grams per 100km
• EuroNCAP Rating: Five Star
• Safety: ESP with TCS, front, side & curtain airbags
• Service Interval: 12 month/15,000kms
• Spare Wheel: Full size alloy
• Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
• Towing Capacity: 2200kg (Braked)
• Warranty: 3 years/100,000kms
VW Launches New Aero Kits for Scirocco and Passat CC
September 13, 2008
At the Automechanika Show in Frankfurt that opened its doors to the public today, Friday, September 16, Volkswagen released a series of aerodynamic accessories for the new Passat CC and Scirocco models. For the Passat CC, Volkswagen has developed a new front lip spoiler as well as a trunk lid spoiler while the Scirocco gets a more complete kit that consists of a front bumper spoiler, side sills, a rear bumper fascia and a discreet roof spoiler.
VW Passat R36 Travles to UK
May 28, 2008
The Passat R36 Sedan is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.6 seconds while the estate takes 5.8 seconds. Both models top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Prices for new Passat R36 start at £30,990 on-the-road for the sedan and £32,150 for the estate model with buyers being able to choose among four colors ranging from silver to black, blue and grey.
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