Volkswagen's worldwide coming-out party for its redesigned Passat was held this week at Detroit's Meadow Brook Concours d Elegance — the Alpha debutante being VW's 280hp 3.6-liter VR6 version. It was a fitting venue for the 2006 Passat, the most up-market version in the model's six-generation history, though the company announced the Passat's starting price will remain under $23,000.
The first 2.0-liter Passat will be delivered this month, with the V6 model coming "soon after," according to VW, and wagon and 4motion versions launching some months subsequently.
Details:
Drivetrain:
· Standard 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection, 200hp, 207 ft.-lbs. torque
· Available 3.6L V6, 280 hp, 265 ft.-lbs. torque with standard six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic (4th quarter 2006)
· Six-speed manual transmission, optional six-speed automatic with Tiptronic on 2.0T
· 4Motion available with 3.6L V6 (later in 2006 MY)
Suspension:
· ABS with four-wheel front vented disks standard
· Fully independent four-link rear suspension
· Electronic Stabilization Program with brake assist standard
· EDL, ASR
· 18 wheels optional on 3.6L (delayed introduction)
Size:
· 2.4 more rear legroom than previous generation (37.7 vs. 35.3 )
· 1.5 wider track front and rear (61.1 vs. 59.6 )
· 3.0 wider body width (71.7 vs. 68.7 )
· 106.7 wheelbase (106.7 vs. 106.4 )
· Overall length of 188.2 (188.2 vs. 185.2 )
Audio/Nav:
· Standard Eight-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system that is MP3 format compatible
· Premium sound with in-dash six-disk CD changer optional on 2.0T, standard on 3.6L.
· Optional Dynaudio sound system
· Optional DVD Navigation system, audible with color screen
Safety:
· Front center armrest with cooling storage feature
· Standard crash-active head restraints
· Eight air bags standard with rear side-thorax airbags optional
· Park distance control optional on 3.6L
Other:
· Walnut, or brushed aluminum trim optional on 3.6L
· Available 10-way power driver seat, available 12-way on 3.6L.
· A/C standard on all models
· Dual-zone automatic climate control (Climatronic) optional on 3.6L
· Rear passenger vents for A/C and heat standard
· Electronic parking brake standard
· Tire-pressure monitoring system standard
· Optional multi-functional steering wheel
· Standard tilt and telescoping four-spoke steering wheel
· Leatherette seat trim standard, leather optional
· 60/40 split folding rear seats with folding center armrest and pass-through feature
· Electromechanical power steering
· Bi-Xenon headlights with washers optional on 3.6L
Related:
New Volkswagen Passat Launched in Germany; Volkswagen Reveals New Passat Wagon; Those Dudes in Wolfsburg Can Party [internal]