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2007 VW Passat 3.6L Road Test

New VR6 Transforms Passat from Happy Go Lucky Family Hauler to Tarmac Terrorist

The Volkswagen Passat just took a big step forward. Bigger, sleeker, more powerful and more luxurious, the VW designers and engineers have turned what had become a rather drab family car into a more manageable albeit less sophisticated Phaeton. Until now, after each redesign the car looked outdated by the time it hit the showrooms. This problem has been ratified with the new car, and therefore it should hold its appeal until the warranty is up.

In a market segment filled with uninspiring family sedans the Passat has always hidden itself away, quietly going about its business amid the mass marketing machines of Japanese and American brands. As mentioned, the old Passat didnt push the style envelope when it came to interior and exterior design,

New Passat looks bad in black. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

but rather was a car that for most became quickly forgettable. For 06 the car received a new injection of life in all concerned areas, a design language that carries forward unchanged for the 2007 model year.

The first thing I noticed was the VW/Audi deep cut front grille treatment. Overall, the new car has a sleek aerodynamic look with a high performance stance that is much better than the 05 in my opinion. VW also made a big change to the headlights, adding a large curve into the lower edge, something they were no doubt happy with as they mimicked it on the new

Deep grille makes it stand out in a crowd. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

Eos. The Passat also incorporates rotating headlights that shine out to the side when turning; very handy.

In the rear the taillights are designed to match the design of those in front. I find these quite unique, and add to the cars sleek look. However, the massive amounts of chrome-painted plastic used in the front bumper and grille seems a little over the top. Toning down the bling would complete the car better, or even going with the black look of the GTI might work well in the Passats case.

The interior continues the Phaeton-esque theme with a distinct resemblance to big sister, minus the exotic materials of course. I thought

Taillights mimick headlight design. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

the etched plastic dash trim looked surprisingly good for being plastic. The dash has an overlapping two tier look separated by the plastic trim. VW models have always offered classier interiors than most cars in their various price ranges, but this years Passat just raised the bar once again, rivaling more luxury-oriented carmakers such as Acura, Volvo and Saab. Everything is well laid out and the use of real rotating controls on the stereo is a welcome feature, rather than all the digital operated nonsense that often fills the cabins of cars these days. All stereo and climate control operations are kept simple and quickly accessible, and I for one love it.

Storage will not be a problem as the Passat sports a rear trunk that seems to have

Interior quality rivals premium brands. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

no back wall. I had to get down and peer under the rear parcel shelf to find were it ended and the rear seats began. At 14.2 cubic feet of space, the Passat has only 0.4 cubic feet less volume than the Audi A8L.
The seating position and steering wheel feel is very good, and something VW/Audi has always produced to my liking. In this case the addition of paddle shifters on the steering wheel was an added bonus which only inspired the sporty side of the cars character. The seats were comfortable too, and better than most in this class when it comes to lateral support. However, I noticed that they didnt really look very good. Theyre skinned in nice, high-quality leather, but the way that theyve been sewn together, yes, the seams themselves, dont match the rest of the interior. They also seem as though theyll age and wear out

Limousine-like rear seats offer plenty of room to stretch out. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

quickly. Of course, its always difficult to tell with regards to durability, as automakers are getting better and better at fabricating plush materials that last over the years. I suppose well just have to wait and see.

The Passats sporty dynamics are more finite and therefore easier to comment on, mind you, especially with this latest generation VR6 engine that VW kindly dropped into the business end of my tester. Is it just me, or does the VR6 keep getting bigger and more powerful every year? Back in 91 the 2.8L VR6 was first unleashed in the Corrado and later on the Passat, and ever since then it has grown in displacement and, resultantly, in power. The latest incarnation, at 3.6 liters, produces a healthy 280 horsepower and 265 ft-lb of torque, and thanks to that aforementioned six-speed automatic with paddle shifters the character of the Passat changes from happy go lucky family hauler to tarmac terrorist

Passat puts the power down to grippy tires. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

with the simple thrust of the right foot.

Despite being one of those large front-engine cars, which is a layout I normally despise, the Passat put down its power very well. The cars balance felt quite neutral in all but the wettest conditions. One major contributor to its grip is the electronically controlled differential lock that put power to both front wheels when one started to spin. However, if theres not enough grip to handle ones needs then the 4MOTION AWD version of the Passat and Passat Wagon will suffice.

One reason for such good traction is the 17-inch alloys that fill the wheel wells, wrapped in 235/45 R17 Michelin all-seasons. Of course with most VWs, those big wheels will start to turn black very soon after your first drive. The reason German wheels get so dirty is because of their excellent braking abilities. Good brakes come at a price, and thats an excess of brake dust. The Passat lives up to VW and Audis excellent reputation for braking, with 312 mm discs up front and 280 mm

Brakes are strong. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

in the rear.

The only thing I didnt like about the brakes was the adaptive movement of the brake pedal under emergency braking. When slamming the middle peddle, the booster constantly adjusts the back pressure in the pedal, making it fall lower and lower to the floor on each adjustment. This took away any feel for what the calipers were doing to the discs and made threshold braking very difficult to do, or recover from. I know for average drivers who just slam on the brakes to avoid any circumstance on the highway this is the safest way. Just the same, all the electronic driving aids being rammed into todays cars tend to dull a drivers abilities rather than improve them.

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