The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Details of Volkswagen’s highly anticipated new Passat have just been released in advance of the model’s introduction in time for the 151 sales rush. Preorders are being taken now and a National Roadshow will showcase the car in November.
Two petrol and three diesel engines will be offered initially, with a starting price of €27,295 for the 1.4 litre TSI petrol model, which produces 125 bhp. A 1.6 diesel with 120 bhp starts at €28,940. Estate models will also be available from the start, attracting a premium of around €2,000.
The other petrol engine is also a 1.4, but produces 150 bhp and also employs Active Cylinder Technology to shut off two cylinders when the car is under light loads. It’s amazing technology. In the Golf, I’ve often cruised at motorway speeds on two cylinders and you genuinely can’t tell the difference. This version will start from €35,145 in Highline trim.
Two 2.0 litre diesel engines join the 1.6, developing 150 bhp and 190 bhp respectively. All three fall into Tax Band A3 so they’ll be cheap to tax.
The usual trims – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline will be offered with all cars getting Air Conditioning, a 5-inch touch screen infotainment system, Bluetooth, electric parking brake, Front Assist including City Emergency Brake, leather steering wheel and keyless engine start system ‘Keyless Go’.
Comfortline adds 16” alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch touch screen infotainment system, Park Distance Control front and rear, cruise control, leather multi-function steering wheel, ‘Climatronic’ 3-zone automatic air conditioning, front fog lights, interior ambient lighting package and rain sensing wipers.
Highline brings 17” alloy wheels, Adaptive Cruise Control, comfort seats in Alcantara /leather, Heated front seats, electrically folding exterior mirrors, rear tinted windows, interior ambient lighting package ‘Plus’, dark red tail-lights with LED technology and an interior chrome trim.
John Galvin
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association
