Driven: Volkswagen Passat

theMandarin · 1st February 2019, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kslives

Just bought my new VW Passat Highline Connect (Black Oak Brown) on 25th Jan!

Congratulations on the new car.
I would appreciate if you could share some more pictures in daylight. The dealers that I visited only have white/silver cars.

P.S. What is the manufacturing month for your car ?

kslives · 1st February 2019, 20:11

Sure, will try and get some more pics clicked this weekend. I’ve bought this car in replacement of my BMW 320d (e90) which I had to forcefully sell off due to the idiotic 10yr diesel ban rule.

Anyway, this car is actually really good in all respects so far and I hope as it gets older, it stays as healthy and that the vw service lives up to the hype these days of them really improving their quality and all.

As far as the month of manufacture is concerned, the registration papers that I’ve submitted said Jan 2018. I have been repeatedly asking the dealership on this factor. They have told me that these are ckd cars and are punched in at the beginning of each year but the car would only have made it to the assembly line and then delivered post July. Is there a way to find this out from somewhere because I’ve realised that most sales agents at any showroom for any manufacturer are clueless about a lot of things

kslives · 2nd February 2019, 12:14

Here are some pics of the exterior of the car. Didn’t take pics of the interior as they are identical to the previously uploaded pics by other members.

Hope these are satisfactory.

Abhi_Automobile · 2nd February 2019, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by kslives

Here are some pics of the exterior of the car. Didn’t take pics of the interior as they are identical to the previously uploaded pics by other members.

Hey buddy. Congrats on the car. Depending on how things progress I may also consider this car. Will you be so kind to share how much discount you got on this car? If you are not comfortable sharing publicly, please PM me the details.

kslives · 2nd February 2019, 14:19

Hey, I don’t have the PM facility yet so why don’t you drop me an email and then we can take it forward.

pnredkar · 3rd February 2019, 18:06

Congratulations Fordfreak and Kslives on you your new acquisitions. Wishing you many happy miles with the car.

@fordfreak, I have dropped you a PM.

@kslives, I attempted to get in touch with you personally, but seems that PM facility is still not enabled for you. If you are comfortable, can you please PM me the discount details.

Meanwhile, I had to opportunity to test drive the Passat Highline on Saturday for about an hour. I was accompanied by my better half. The drive covered high speed roads (BIAL road) and bumper-to-bumper traffic (Mekhri circle). The acceleration was good in drive mode and excellent in sports mode. I tried the manual mode using paddle shifters; it holds on to the gears longer and provides good engine braking. Stopping power was good on emergency braking. I also tried on the DCC sports mode and comfort mode on a rough road; both were very stable but as expected the comfort mode ironed out the rough patch much better. The SA also demonstrated the launch control and I must say the acceleration is brutal! Other drive features such as cruise control, hill hold, auto-hold worked as expected. Though this is two sizes larger than Vento, it felt sufficiently agile in bumper-to-bumper traffic also.

Coming to the interiors, every thing feels classy and well put together. Despite the black interiors, the cabin felt airy even when the sunroof/moon-roof were closed. The front seats ventilation (yes, there is both heating and cooling) would be a boon on long drives in summer. I tried the massage function in driver's seat as well; an interesting feature though I am not convinced about its utility. I did not try connecting my phone to the ICE, but the radio playing seemed loud and clear.

The highline comes with a full size alloy spare wheel. The boot is well arranged and the struts have their own channel so that they do not intrude with your luggage. There is enough space around the spare wheel for the tools and related stuff.

Overall, we both were pretty impressed with the car and the drive. Now, we need to discuss and decide whether we go with the Octavia TSI L&K or pay the premium and get this one instead. I expect interesting discussions in the house this week

fordfreak · 4th February 2019, 11:46

As promised, attaching some daylight pictures of my car. PS - I love the Apple CarPlay interface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtv

Car looks amazing in that shade of silver and I've seen only one of these on the road so far.
Wish you many happy miles bro, congratulations

Thanks bud! You may have seen my car. Should have waved me down! Btw, was it at the club or on the road?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnredkar

@fordfreak, I have dropped you a PM.

I tried the massage function in driver's seat as well; an interesting feature though I am not convinced about its utility.

Thank you! Have replied to your message. Please check. Very nice and accurate summary of the Passat experience. I can pretty much agree with everything you have noted. The massage function on the driver seat is pretty useless. It's just the lumbar cushion that expands and contracts. Does very little in terms of a massage. All the best with your search!

kslives · 6th February 2019, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnredkar

@kslives, I attempted to get in touch with you personally, but seems that PM facility is still not enabled for you. If you are comfortable, can you please PM me the discount.

Could you please drop me an email and I can share the details?

itwasntme · 6th February 2019, 14:32

New Passat B8.5 launched in the EU:

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volksw...n-hybrid-boost

Exteriors:
Tweaked bumpers
LED headlights

Interiors:
Design tweaks inside are also discreet, but the cabin is packed with much more tech than before. The most notable introduction is the optional Digital Cockpit. The 11.7-inch display replaces conventional analogue dials (a first for the Passat), and is a step up from the Active Info Display found elsewhere in the VW range. It gets sharper, higher-contrast graphics and more customisation options.

The top-line 9.2-inch infotainment screen is said to have a more intuitive user interface. An always-online capability allows for more precise real-time traffic updates, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be synced wirelessly (another VW first) and the smartphone cubby has a USB-C connection.

adi_petrolhead · 7th February 2019, 11:21

As far as I remember the Active Info Display (virtual cockpit) was always available in the EU. Surely there are some graphical updates and the system is slicker to use now. The biggest update I noticed in terms of interiors is the absence of the classic analogue clock! apart from that the new steering design finally some different design compared to other smaller cars in the portfolio of VW. The tail lights just change the pattern of illumination on braking, instead of just boosting the brightness, as VW claims the change in pattern is a lot more attention grabbing for the following driver. Hope the BS VI engines have slightly better tune, if only VW decides to release the 2.0 TDI Bi-Turbo, it'll be a train on the road!

itwasntme · 7th February 2019, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by adi_petrolhead

As far as I remember the Active Info Display (virtual cockpit) was always available in the EU.

Don't think so after reading this article. Looks like not only has the Passat got AID for the first time, it has got the advanced Audi unit rather than the usual Skoda or VW version.

All it needs is that Bi-TDi as you put it!

theMandarin · 7th February 2019, 19:02

The Passat definitely had an Active Info Display before this refresh. There are countless videos/posts on the web demonstrating this feature which was probably available as an option on most variants.

By the pictures it seems that this variant of the virtual display is now similar to the one available on the Jetta in the US. It must be having some improvements in capabilities as described on this page but to my eyes, the graphics seem to be a downgrade from the earlier option demonstrated in the following video:

2015 Volkswagen Passat - Active Info Display

adi_petrolhead · 8th February 2019, 12:12

Indeed, earlier version was a full screen unit, the updated one leaves out the sides to include vertical LED lines to show the fuel and coolant temp gauge irrespective of the mode selected for the display.

kslives · 11th February 2019, 17:31

Is there a possibility of a retrofit with the new unit? I've been looking for one and have found some success too, but again, it's expensive and honestly not worth the price as the Indian version of the Passat doesn't come with stock Navigation.

I'm also curious to know which company speakers and music system our Passat B8 has. The brochure still states there are 8 speakers but my car has 10!

adi_petrolhead · 11th February 2019, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by kslives

The brochure still states there are 8 speakers but my car has 10!

Where are the extra speakers located? Is there a central speaker in the dash and a sub in the boot?

1st February 2019, 20:11	#122
kslives BHPian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Delhi Posts: 66 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat Sure, will try and get some more pics clicked this weekend. I’ve bought this car in replacement of my BMW 320d (e90) which I had to forcefully sell off due to the idiotic 10yr diesel ban rule. Anyway, this car is actually really good in all respects so far and I hope as it gets older, it stays as healthy and that the vw service lives up to the hype these days of them really improving their quality and all. As far as the month of manufacture is concerned, the registration papers that I’ve submitted said Jan 2018. I have been repeatedly asking the dealership on this factor. They have told me that these are ckd cars and are punched in at the beginning of each year but the car would only have made it to the assembly line and then delivered post July. Is there a way to find this out from somewhere because I’ve realised that most sales agents at any showroom for any manufacturer are clueless about a lot of things
	(2) Thanks

2nd February 2019, 12:14	#123
kslives BHPian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Delhi Posts: 66 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat Here are some pics of the exterior of the car. Didn’t take pics of the interior as they are identical to the previously uploaded pics by other members. Hope these are satisfactory. Attached Thumbnails
	(9) Thanks

2nd February 2019, 14:19	#125
kslives BHPian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Delhi Posts: 66 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat Hey, I don’t have the PM facility yet so why don’t you drop me an email and then we can take it forward.
	() Thanks

3rd February 2019, 18:06	#126
pnredkar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 167 Thanked: 364 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat Congratulations Fordfreak and Kslives on you your new acquisitions. Wishing you many happy miles with the car. @fordfreak, I have dropped you a PM. @kslives, I attempted to get in touch with you personally, but seems that PM facility is still not enabled for you. If you are comfortable, can you please PM me the discount details. Meanwhile, I had to opportunity to test drive the Passat Highline on Saturday for about an hour. I was accompanied by my better half. The drive covered high speed roads (BIAL road) and bumper-to-bumper traffic (Mekhri circle). The acceleration was good in drive mode and excellent in sports mode. I tried the manual mode using paddle shifters; it holds on to the gears longer and provides good engine braking. Stopping power was good on emergency braking. I also tried on the DCC sports mode and comfort mode on a rough road; both were very stable but as expected the comfort mode ironed out the rough patch much better. The SA also demonstrated the launch control and I must say the acceleration is brutal! Other drive features such as cruise control, hill hold, auto-hold worked as expected. Though this is two sizes larger than Vento, it felt sufficiently agile in bumper-to-bumper traffic also. Coming to the interiors, every thing feels classy and well put together. Despite the black interiors, the cabin felt airy even when the sunroof/moon-roof were closed. The front seats ventilation (yes, there is both heating and cooling) would be a boon on long drives in summer. I tried the massage function in driver's seat as well; an interesting feature though I am not convinced about its utility. I did not try connecting my phone to the ICE, but the radio playing seemed loud and clear. The highline comes with a full size alloy spare wheel. The boot is well arranged and the struts have their own channel so that they do not intrude with your luggage. There is enough space around the spare wheel for the tools and related stuff. Overall, we both were pretty impressed with the car and the drive. Now, we need to discuss and decide whether we go with the Octavia TSI L&K or pay the premium and get this one instead. I expect interesting discussions in the house this week Last edited by pnredkar : 3rd February 2019 at 18:09. Reason: Added some more details.
	(3) Thanks

6th February 2019, 14:32	#129
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 7,762 Thanked: 14,285 Times View My Garage	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat New Passat B8.5 launched in the EU: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volksw...n-hybrid-boost Exteriors: Tweaked bumpers LED headlights Interiors: Design tweaks inside are also discreet, but the cabin is packed with much more tech than before. The most notable introduction is the optional Digital Cockpit. The 11.7-inch display replaces conventional analogue dials (a first for the Passat), and is a step up from the Active Info Display found elsewhere in the VW range. It gets sharper, higher-contrast graphics and more customisation options. The top-line 9.2-inch infotainment screen is said to have a more intuitive user interface. An always-online capability allows for more precise real-time traffic updates, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be synced wirelessly (another VW first) and the smartphone cubby has a USB-C connection. Attached Thumbnails
	(5) Thanks

7th February 2019, 11:21	#130
adi_petrolhead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 1,501 Thanked: 2,659 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat As far as I remember the Active Info Display (virtual cockpit) was always available in the EU. Surely there are some graphical updates and the system is slicker to use now. The biggest update I noticed in terms of interiors is the absence of the classic analogue clock! apart from that the new steering design finally some different design compared to other smaller cars in the portfolio of VW. The tail lights just change the pattern of illumination on braking, instead of just boosting the brightness, as VW claims the change in pattern is a lot more attention grabbing for the following driver. Hope the BS VI engines have slightly better tune, if only VW decides to release the 2.0 TDI Bi-Turbo, it'll be a train on the road!
	() Thanks

8th February 2019, 12:12	#133
adi_petrolhead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 1,501 Thanked: 2,659 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat Indeed, earlier version was a full screen unit, the updated one leaves out the sides to include vertical LED lines to show the fuel and coolant temp gauge irrespective of the mode selected for the display.
	(2) Thanks

11th February 2019, 17:31	#134
kslives BHPian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New Delhi Posts: 66 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Driven: Volkswagen Passat Is there a possibility of a retrofit with the new unit? I've been looking for one and have found some success too, but again, it's expensive and honestly not worth the price as the Indian version of the Passat doesn't come with stock Navigation. I'm also curious to know which company speakers and music system our Passat B8 has. The brochure still states there are 8 speakers but my car has 10!
	() Thanks