{"id":20648,"date":"2019-07-16T10:26:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T09:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/?p=20648"},"modified":"2019-07-16T10:26:25","modified_gmt":"2019-07-16T09:26:25","slug":"first-drive-volkswagen-passat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/index.php\/first-drive-volkswagen-passat\/","title":{"rendered":"First Drive: Volkswagen Passat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"
Volkswagen’s fresh-faced Passat is a very polished and sophisticated car, writes Geraldine Herber<\/em><\/strong>t <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\nis it? <\/strong>The\nVolkswagen Passat has been the default saloon choice for years and\nmore than 30m have found homes since it first launched in 1973.\nEvolving through eight generations, for 2019 it has been given a mild\nfacelift and new technology.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First\nimpressions? <\/strong>Although\nat first glance it may look just like the departing one, on closer\ninspection the front and rear bumpers, the radiator grille and the\nlogo have all been redesigned. In addition, new LED headlights,\ndaytime running lights, fog lights and tail light clusters add a\nsharper and more elegant look. \n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about the interior? <\/strong>Inside it’s classy in an understated kind of way. Comfort is key and the Passat offers beautifully bolstering seats plus it’s roomy in the back and the boot is a very decent 650 litres. The multi-function steering wheel not only allows you to take control of the radio, your music and other systems, it is also the first capacitive steering wheel from Volkswagen. Essentially it detects the driver by touch and interacts directly with systems such as Travel Assist, a new feature that brings together a host of technologies and allows the car to follow traffic and keep you in your lane at speeds of up to 210km\/h (130mph).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Inside the Passat is equipped with a new generation of information and entertainment systems<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Under\nthe bonnet? <\/strong>Powering\nthe range is a 2-litre 150bhp diesel, 1.5-litre 150bhp petrol as well\nas a 1.4-litre petrol plug-in hybrid GTE. The GTE launched here in\n2015 but never sold in great numbers. Much has changed in the\nintervening years and now it’s likely to be the model of choice for\nmany buyers. The all-electric range has increased to 56km.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And\non the road?<\/strong>\n On\nthe move it’s the ideal car to cruise comfortably in but is just as\nsolid and reassuring on a nice curving back road. The steering is\nprecise and the handling is everything you could expect from a German\nsaloon.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will\nit break the bank? <\/strong>Due\nhere in October, pricing is not expected until the end of the summer\nbut we predict the new model to increase by around \u20ac2,000 on the\ncurrent version so the new GTE is likely to be around \u20ac42,000. Four\ntrim lines will be offered, Passat, Business, Style and R-Line.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why you will like it?<\/strong> The Passat’s biggest rival is the unrelenting tide of SUVs that threatens to obliterate the struggling saloon and estate segment completely. That said, the revised model features an alluring combination of sophisticated design and cutting edge technology that nudges it past the competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it says about you?\u00a0 <\/strong>Sensible may be your middle name but you appreciate understated elegance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 words to describe the VW Passat? <\/strong>Chic, Comfortable, Refined<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on the new Passat visit the Volkswagen Ireland\u00a0website\u00a0<\/a>or its\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>page for further details.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geraldine Herbert<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16th July 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Volkswagen’s fresh-faced Passat is a very polished and sophisticated car, writes Geraldine Herbert What is it? The Volkswagen Passat has been the default saloon choice for years and more than 30m have found homes since it first launched in 1973. 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