Mpumalanga – When we tested the Volkswagen Passat 1,8 TSI last year (an engine that has since been discontinued), we were blown away by its impeccable refinement and value for money. We concluded, however, that the derivative to have was actually the 1,4 TSI, due to its more affordable price-tag and impressive consumption.
Now, Volkswagen has added another engine to its local range and this time it’s the familiar 2,0 TDI. This is an engine that has performed well in many of Volkswagen’s products, but how does it fare in this premium sedan? We headed to Mpumalanga to find out…
The numbers
In the Passat, the diesel mill pushes out 130 kW and 350 N.m of torque. This is delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, resulting it a 0-100 km/h time of 8,2 seconds, a top speed of 228 km/h and, most importantly here, a claimed fuel consumption of 5,0 L/100 km.
How does it feel in the Passat?
Traditionally, when you drive a diesel sedan, you expect to feel the abundance of torque, especially lower down the rev-rage. With the Passat, this is not necessarily the case. While it has access to a fair amount of torque at lower revs, the delivery feels quite gradual and there’s no real sense of urgency.
Having said that, the diesel mill is fairly capable. There is some lag to cope with, which can be irksome in urban driving conditions, but everything else is pretty much spot on. Mid-range acceleration, for instance, feels suitably punchy.
As a result of this, the Passat is rather a relaxing and composed car to drive. Everything from power delivery to the shifting of the gears is smooth. The 2,0 TDI is also fairly quiet in the Passat at cruising speeds, although some typical diesel clatter can be heard when you aggressively open the throttle.
Summary
Fitted with a diesel powerplant, this Passat is just about exactly what you would expect it to be. It boasts impressive levels of refinement and comfort, which come at a reasonable price with a respectable amount of standard kit. This Luxury trim level (which sits below the range-topping Executive model) boasts standard features such as LED headlamps, climate control and “Vienna” leather heated seats.
The 2,0 TDI, however, feels most at home out on the open road, cruising over long distances at steady speeds. So, if you spend a large chunk of your time driving in urban areas, the 1,4 TSI may well still be the best bet…
