2010 Volkswagen Passat

EUROPEAN REFINEMENT AND DRIVING PRECISION HIT THE ROAD IN THE 2010 VOLKSAGEN PASSAT SEDAN AND WAGON

Created with today's drivers and passengers in mind, the 2010 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon achieve new levels of detail, sophistication, and convenience to ultimately set the standard for today's midsize class of cars. Developed in Germany with a design tested on the Autobahn, the Passat sedan (starting at $26,995) and wagon (starting at $28,395) give the chance to experience the Volkswagen brand heritage at its finest.

Exterior
The Passat carries on the Volkswagen tradition of clean lines and comfortable proportions. At the front is a long, sloping hood that spreads to the rectangular headlights that corner a wide-mouthed grilled with chrome edging and bumper covering. The narrow turn signal indicators rest atop circular halogen fog lamps that are set into the lower front end. The Passat's profile moves to the rear with a faint horizontal line starting along the upper portion of the front fenders and traveling almost to the taillights, while a slightly angled chrome accent runs from the front door on to the rear bumper. Chrome window trim brings a touch of distinction to contrast the black lower front valance, side skirts, and lower portion of the rear bumper.

On the sedan model, the semicircular roofline eases into the short trunk lid before dropping down to the rectangular jeweled tail lights that house LED lamps
for superior brightness. The Passat Wagon includes an integrated roof rack and a body color spoiler atop the rear hatch.

Both models come with 17-inch 'Le Mans' style alloy wheels that are wrapped in all-season tires, or can be upgraded with 18-inch 'Budapest' wheels that include sport suspension.

Interior


The Passat's center console houses the CLIMATIC™ single-zone climate controls, and a premium AM/FM/CD stereo system with MP3 CD readability, an in-dash, six-disc changer, eight speakers, an SD memory slot for playing WMA / MP3, an auxiliary input for connecting portable audio players, Bluetooth™ connectivity for hands-free mobile phone calls, and access to SIRIÚS Satellite Radio (complimentary service for six months).

Optional on all models is a comprehensive touch-screen navigation system with a 6.5' high resolution display, an integrated 30GB hard drive (10GB for navigation, 20GB for audio), WMA / MP3 audio CD playback, DVD playback, an SD memory card slot, an auxiliary input connection, and complimentary Sirius Satellite Radio for six months, and three months of real time traffic provided by Sirius. A special Media Device Interface with iPod® cable can be ordered as well, allowing playback and control of iPods® and iPhones® through the touch-screen navigation system.

Three 12-volt auxiliary power outlets, including one in the cargo area, finish off the Passat's repertoire of connections.

Cargo space is easy to find with both the sedan and wagon models, especially with the 60/40 folding rear seats: Approximately 14.2 cu. ft. for the sedan, and 35.8 cu. ft. for the wagon, which can go up to 61.8 cu. ft. when the rear seats are folded.

Engine and Transmission
The heart of the Passat sedan and wagon is Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder gasoline engine. Performanceoriented with a definitive nod to efficiency, the 2.0T power plant is stocked with four valves per cylinder and variable timing, dual overhead camshafts, and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters. The fully-electronic TSI direct fuel injection system and drive-by-wire throttle control constantly monitor and adjust power delivery, making for quick acceleration when called upon, and improved fuel economy overall. All told, the 2.0T gives Passat drivers access to 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm, and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm.

For 2010, the Passat sedan and wagon come equipped with the cuttingedge variable DSG® six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® control. The DSG houses an automated dual-clutch system that engages and disengages gears without needing a driver-activated clutch pedal. A special computer controls the entire shifting process and provides gearshifts that are faster and smoother than what can be experienced through a traditional automatic or manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) As the clutch for the next needed gear is engaged, the clutch from the previous gear is instantly released, to create performance-oriented shifts without any noticeable lagging or a drop in power.

When the driver places the gearshift lever into Tiptronic mode, the transmission stops automated shifting, and lets the driver determine all gear changes by either tapping of the gearshift lever up or down, or by pressing the steering wheelmounted shift paddles With the DSG transmission, the Passat sedan can reach 60 mph in only 7.2 seconds from a complete stop, and continue on to an electronically-limited 130 mph top speed. Another benefit enjoyed with the DSG is improved fuel economy that is on par with what can be experienced with a more traditional manual transmission: EPA-estimated ratings for highway and city travel are 31 mpg and 22 mpg respectively.

Source - Volkswagen