Passat power with touch of class

New 2.0TDI diesel engine adds appeal

VOLKSWAGEN has just launched a new addition to the Passat range. While the Passat is not a volume seller (last month only 29 vehicles were sold), the addition of a diesel engine will certainly add appeal to this vastly underrated car.

The equipment line has also been refreshed and extra standard features added.

The Passat has been extended with the introduction of the 2.0 TDI engine.

Until now, the vehicle, which was launched locally in October last year, was only offered with petrol engines.

Volkswagen says that with the introduction of the 2.0 TDI with 130kW, completes the model range of the eight-generation car.

Its new four-cylinder 1 968cc engine is compact, lightweight and fuel-efficient, the company says, and has been designed to deliver greater fuel economy and sporty performance. A power output of 130kW is available from 3 600 to 4 000rpm, while 350Nm of maximum torque is delivered by the vehicle from as low as 1 500rpm, up to 3 500rpm.

The 6-speed DSG-powered engine reaches a top speed of 228km/h, and a 0 to 100km/h sprint is achieved in a respectable 8.2 seconds. Its claimed combined cycle of fuel consumption is miserly 5l/100km. The equipment line has been refreshed and restructured with the addition of new features as standard.

The range is now offered in two new equipment lines, Luxury and Executive.

The Luxury derivatives get LED headlights, 3-Zone Climatronic air conditioner and Vienna Leather seats with seat heating as standard. The range-topper, Executive, has App Connect, Nappa leather seats, as well as LED headlights, with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime running lights as new standard features.

The Executive derivative is also fitted as standard with R-Line Styling Package which adds sporty front grille; front and rear grille; side-skirt as well as 18-inch “Marseille” alloy wheels. All the derivatives are only available with DSG (6-speed for 2.0 TSI and TDI; 7-speed for 1.4 TSI) transmission. Prices (VAT and emissions tax included) 1.4 TSI Luxury 110kW DSG R468 200 2.0 TSI Executive 162kW DSG R522 400 2.0 TDI Luxury 130kW DSG R493 900 2.0 TDI Executive 130kW DSG R522 400

The Passat range comes standard with a three-year/120 000km manufacturer warranty and five-year/100 000km Automation Maintenance Plan. All models have a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000km service intervals.