FleetNews Passat
Content
=@IJK;I@M<1MFCBJN8><EG8JJ8K
E\nGXjjXk1MNX[[j
[Xj_kf[\g\e[XY`c`kp
7ILL DRIVERS USED TO @MEAT AND TWO VEG COMPANY CARS NOW BE ABLE TO GET A TRUE TASTE OF THE HIGH
LIFE WITH THE NEW 6OLKSWAGEN 0ASSAT 3TEVE -OODY GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE NEW CONTENDER
=
/2 YEARS 0ASSATS
HAVE BEEN GOOD HONEST
TRUSTWORTHY VEHICLES
THAT WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN
4HEYVE ALSO BEEN A BIT DULL
7ITH THE COMPLETELY NEW
SIXTH
GENERATION CAR 6OLKSWA
GEN HAS TRIED TO ADD SOME DASH
ALONGSIDE THE DEPENDABILITY
4HE QUESTION IS THOUGH HAS
IT SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON STYLE
TRYING TO DRAG ITSELF OUT OF THE
QUICKSAND OF THE VOLUME
SEGMENT THAT IT HAS FORGOTTEN
ABOUT SUBSTANCE THE ESSENTIAL
THAT MADE THE CAR GREAT
%XECUTIVES AT THE lRM
RECKON IT SIGNALS A NEW ERA AND
THE BEGINNING OF A PUSH INTO
PREMIUM CARS ALTHOUGH THAT
PATH HAS ALREADY BEEN TRODDEN
n NOT BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFULLY IT
HAS TO BE SAID n BY THE 0HAETON
AND 4OUAREG
"UT THE 0ASSAT STARTS FROM A
POSITION OF STRENGTH n GOOD
RESIDUALS AND A TRUSTED NAME
FOR THE OLD VEHICLE WILL SEE TO
THAT
)N A FULL YEAR IN THE 5+
6OLKSWAGEN EXPECTS TO SELL
SALOONS AND
ESTATES WHICH WILL BE
LAUNCHED IN THE AUTUMN
3OME OF THOSE SALES WILL
BE TO mEETS
6OLKSWAGENS HEAD OF mEET
SERVICES 6INCE +INNER
BELIEVES HE WILL NOT SELL ANY
MORE OF THE NEW 0ASSAT THAN HE
DID OF THE OLD ONE )TS NOT A
VEHICLE 6OLKSWAGEN WANTS TO
PUSH HARD ON VOLUME 9OU GET
THE FEELING THE BOSSES THINK ITS
SUCH A STRONG PROPOSITION THAT
IT WILL lND ITS OWN WAY IN THE
MARKET
)T IS CERTAINLY STRONG IN THE
WAY IT LOOKS 6OLKSWAGEN
EXECUTIVES TALK ABOUT THE
0ASSAT HAVING UPMARKET NEW
AESTHETICS n AND THEYRE RIGHT
4HE CHROME GRILLE n
STANDARD ON ALL MODELS n
SCULPTED METAL mANKS AND
SPARKLING FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS
GIVE THE 0ASSAT A LUXURIOUS BIG
CAR APPEARANCE ALTHOUGH IT
NEEDS A LIGHTER SHADE OF PAINT
TO SHOW IT OFF ITS FULL GLAMOUR
4HE DELICATE LIGHT BLUE DOES IT
BEST WHILE SOME OF THE DARKER
COLOURS KILL OFF THE SHEEN
4HE 0ASSATS STRIKING NEW
LOOKS HIT HOME WHEN ONE
LOOMS IN YOUR REAR VIEW
MIRROR &OR THE lRST TIME IN A
LONG WHILE IT IS AN UPPER
MEDIUM CAR THAT HAS REAL
PRESENCE ON THE ROAD n NOT JUST
THE LEAN ATHLETIC GOOD LOOKS OF
THE -AZDA WHEN IT LAUNCHED
OR THE SHARPNESS AND SOLID
mANKS OF THE !CCORD BUT GOOD
OLD
FASHIONED PREMIUM QUALITY
APPEAL
)T GLITTERS LIKE AN /SCARS
NIGHT STARLET AND GIVING
COMPANY CAR DRIVERS MORE
USED TO THE MEAT AND TWO VEG
FARE GENERALLY TYPICAL OF THE
SECTOR THE CHANCE TO SAMPLE A
TASTE OF THE HIGH LIFE WILL PROVE
TEMPTING FOR MANY
&OUR ENGINES WILL BE
AVAILABLE AT LAUNCH n TWO
PETROL AND TWO DIESEL !
BHP
LITRE &3) PETROL
ENGINE WILL INTRODUCE THE
RANGE FOLLOWED UP BY A
BHP
LITRE &3) WHILE ON
THE DIESEL FRONT THERE IS A
BHP 4$) AND BHP
4$) ,ATER IN THE YEAR A
BHP
LITRE 4 &3) AND
BHP DIESEL WILL JOIN THE
RANGE
5NSURPRISINGLY THE NEW CAR
IS LARGER THAN THE MODEL IT
REPLACES CMS LONGER
ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THAT HAS
TRANSLATED INTO EXTRA BOOT SPACE
n A MASSIVE LITRES n AND
IT IS CMS WIDER "UT THANKS TO
NEW LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS IT
WEIGHS NO MORE 4HAT HELPS TO
KEEP FUEL CONSUMPTION AND
EMISSIONS IN CHECK
6OLKSWAGEN RECKONS IT HAS
KNOCKED MORE THAN a OFF
THE SERVICING COSTS FOR MOST
mEETS OF THE NEW 0ASSAT PARTLY
BECAUSE IT DOESNT NEED A
CAMBELT INSPECTION BEFORE
MILES n ESPECIALLY KEY
FOR LEASING lRMS PREDICTING
MAINTENANCE BUDGETS OVER
THREE YEARS
4HE COST OF REPLACEMENT
PARTS HAS ALSO COME DOWN
WITH THE lRM ADMITTING THAT
HISTORICALLY THE COST OF SOME
WERE TOO HIGH )T CLAIMS TO
HAVE RECTIlED THAT SINCE THE
LAUNCH OF THE 'OLF LAST YEAR
0RICES ARENT YET CONlRMED
BUT +INNER SAYS THAT mEETS WILL
BE @SHOCKED BY THE PRICING
PRESUMABLY PLEASANTLY SO (E
SAID THE PERCEPTION OF THE lRM
FOR EXPENSIVE CARS AT LAUNCH
WILL BE WELL AND TRULY BANISHED
WITH THE PRICING STRUCTURE OF
THE NEW 0ASSAT %XPECT THE
MFCBJN8><EG8JJ8K=8:K=@C<
Df[\c1
(%-=J@
)%'=J@
(%0K;@
)%'K;@
<e^`e\ ZZ 1
(#,0/
(#0/+
(#/0-
(#0-/
DXogfn\i Y_g&igd 1
((*&-#'''
(+.&&-#'''
('*&+#'''
(*.&+#'''
DXokfihl\ cY$]k&igd 1
((+&+#'''
(+/&*#,''
(/+&(#0''
)*-&(#/''
DXojg\\[ dg_ 1
()+
(*)
((.
(*'
'$-)dg_ j\Z 1
((%+
0%+
()%(
0%/
:fdY]l\cZfejldgk`fe dg^ 1
*.%.
*+%+
,'%+
+.%0
:F)\d`jj`fej ^&bd 1
(/'
(0.
(,(
(,0
KiXejd`jj`fe1,jg (%0K;@ #-jg#Xlkf#;J>=l\ckXebZXgXZ`kp c&^Xc 1(,%+&.'
J\im`Z\`ek\imXc d`c\j 1mXi`XYc\FejXc\1Ale\)'',Gi`Z\j FKI 1]ifd(,#,'' \jk
WWWmEETNEWSNETCOUK
RANGE TO START AT ABOUT THE SAME
AS THE OUTGOING ONE n ABOUT
a
(ELPING THE CAR WILL BE
STRONG RESIDUAL VALUES -ANY
LEASING lRMS PRIVATELY BELIEVE
THE 0ASSAT COULD lNALLY MAKE
THE LEAP IT HAS BEEN THREATENING
INTO PREMIUM TERRITORY
PERCENTAGE RETAINED VALUE
WHEN IT COMES TO RESALE
#ERTAINLY EXPERTS AT THE
PRICE GUIDES CAN SEE AN UPLIFT
OF FOUR TO SIX PERCENTAGE
POINTS OVER THE OUTGOING NINE
YEAR
OLD CAR WHICH COULD
MEAN 26S IN THE LOW
AREA
)T WILL COME LADEN WITH ALL
THE TECHNOLOGY A PREMIUM
BUYER EXPECTS 4RIMS WILL BE 3
3% 3PORT AND A (IGHLINE
TYPE
SPEC ALTHOUGH EXACT 5+
EQUIPMENT LISTS ARE NOT QUITE
lNALISED
"UT AN ELECTRONIC PARKING
BRAKE AND REAR ,%$ LIGHTS ARE
STANDARD ON ALL MODELS AND
SOME WILL GET CORPORATE TOYS
SUCH AS "LUETOOTH PHONE
PREPARATION ACTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS
TWO ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL AND
KEYLESS OPERATION
+INNER IS EXTREMELY BULLISH
OF ITS WHOLELIFE COSTS CLAIMING
THAT EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST A
PENCE PER MILE ADVANTAGE
OVER MILES COMPARED
TO THE LIKES OF THE &ORD
-ONDEO 0EUGEOT AND
6AUXHALL 6ECTRA THANKS TO
STRONG RESIDUALS AND LOW
SERVICING
)F THAT TURNS OUT TO BE THE
CASE A
VEHICLE mEETS
COULD BE SAVING A QUARTER OF A
MILLION POUNDS BY RUNNING
0ASSATS AND 6OLKSWAGENS
CALCULATIONS SUGGEST THAT THE
NEW 0ASSAT WILL BE CHEAPER TO
RUN THAN THE OLD ONE 1UITE
SOME FEAT
9<?@E;K?<N?<<C
4(% OLD 0ASSAT WAS ALWAYS DECENTLY SPACIOUS INSIDE AND THE
NEW CAR IS MUCH OF THE SAME WITHOUT BEING LIMOUSINE
LIKE
7HILE THE 0ASSAT HAS BLOCKBUSTER APPEAL FROM THE OUTSIDE
THINGS ARE A LITTLE MORE DOWN TO EARTH INSIDE -OST OF THE CARS
ON LAUNCH WERE HIGHLY SPECIlED BUT THERE ARE SOME PRETTY
DRAB PLASTICS ON VIEW n MOST NOTICEABLY ON THE DOORS WHERE
THERE IS A WIDE SWATHE OF
CHEAP
LOOKING SHINY BLACK
PLASTIC WHILE A LITTLE
IMAGINATION WOULD NOT HAVE
GONE AMISS AROUND THE
lTTINGS LIKE DOOR HANDLES
AND SOME OF THE SWITCHGEAR
.OT THAT THE INTERIOR IS
ENTIRELY FREE OF INTEREST THE
CHROME RINGED DIALS ARE A
CLASSY TOUCH BUT STANDARD
SPECIlCATION CARS HAVE MUCH THE SAME ATMOSPHERE INSIDE AS
ANY OTHER VOLUME CAR )TS ONLY IN THE BRUSHED ALUMIUNIUM
LEATHERED AND HIGHLY
SPECIlED INTERIOR WHERE YOU CAN START TO
FEEL LUXURY NUZZLING UP AGAINST YOU
4HE DRIVING POSITION IS EXCELLENT WHICH 6OLKSWAGEN GETS
RIGHT MORE THAN ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER AND THE CLOTH AND
LEATHER SEAT COMBINATIONS OF THE TEST CARS PROVED VERY
COMFORTABLE INDEED %SPECIALLY SO THE LEATHER SEATS WHICH ARE
SOFTER VERSION OF THE COOL MULTI
PANELED CHAIRS IN THE 'OLF
'4) )T RIDES WELL AND THE STEERING HAS THE SAME INERT FEEL OF
ALL 6OLKSWAGENS ALTHOUGH IT FELT ODDLY HEAVY ON SMALL WHEEL
HIGH
SIDED TYRE VARIANTS 4HE NEW MULTI
LINK REAR SUSPENSION
CERTAINLY HELPS ITS HANDLING ALTHOUGH MORE AT HIGH SPEED
MOTORWAY CORNERING KEEPING IT mAT AND STABLE
4HE NEW 0ASSAT WILL TUCK INTO A TWISTY ROAD IF YOU LEAD IT
THERE BUT TO BE HONEST IT FEELS MORE COMFORTABLE AS A LONG
DISTANCE CRUISER
/F THE ENGINES THE
LITRE BHP DIESEL UNIT DOES MOST OF
WHAT A mEET WOULD EVER WANT AND IS ACTUALLY QUIETER AND MORE
RElNED THAN THE NEWER
LITRE 4$) OPTIONS )T DOESNT HAVE
THE SHOVE OF THE BIGGER DIESEL BUT A COMBINED lGURE OF MPG
AND #/ OF GKM IS HARD TO ARGUE AGAINST
!LL THE GEARBOXES WORK WELL FROM THE lVE SPEED MANUAL ON
THE SMALLER ENGINES TO THE FANTASTIC $3' SEMI
AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX WHICH IS THE CHOICE TO GO FOR IF YOU CAN STAND THE
a EXTRA IT IS LIKELY TO COST
;i`m`e^m\i[`Zk
). THE RIGHT SPECIlCATION IN THE RIGHT COLOUR THE 0ASSAT REALLY
IS A PREMIUM PRODUCT 7HETHER THAT WILL CUT ANY ICE WITH
PREMIUM BUYERS REMAINS TO BE SEEN "UT FOR NOW 6OLKSWAGEN
CAN CONSOLE ITSELF WITH HAVING EASILY THE BEST CAR IN THE VOLUME
UPPER
MEDIUM SEGMENT IF IT IS PRICED RIGHT
-ARCH &,%%4 .%73 )0
E\nGXjjXk1MNX[[j
[Xj_kf[\g\e[XY`c`kp
7ILL DRIVERS USED TO @MEAT AND TWO VEG COMPANY CARS NOW BE ABLE TO GET A TRUE TASTE OF THE HIGH
LIFE WITH THE NEW 6OLKSWAGEN 0ASSAT 3TEVE -OODY GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE NEW CONTENDER
=
/2 YEARS 0ASSATS
HAVE BEEN GOOD HONEST
TRUSTWORTHY VEHICLES
THAT WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN
4HEYVE ALSO BEEN A BIT DULL
7ITH THE COMPLETELY NEW
SIXTH
GENERATION CAR 6OLKSWA
GEN HAS TRIED TO ADD SOME DASH
ALONGSIDE THE DEPENDABILITY
4HE QUESTION IS THOUGH HAS
IT SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON STYLE
TRYING TO DRAG ITSELF OUT OF THE
QUICKSAND OF THE VOLUME
SEGMENT THAT IT HAS FORGOTTEN
ABOUT SUBSTANCE THE ESSENTIAL
THAT MADE THE CAR GREAT
%XECUTIVES AT THE lRM
RECKON IT SIGNALS A NEW ERA AND
THE BEGINNING OF A PUSH INTO
PREMIUM CARS ALTHOUGH THAT
PATH HAS ALREADY BEEN TRODDEN
n NOT BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFULLY IT
HAS TO BE SAID n BY THE 0HAETON
AND 4OUAREG
"UT THE 0ASSAT STARTS FROM A
POSITION OF STRENGTH n GOOD
RESIDUALS AND A TRUSTED NAME
FOR THE OLD VEHICLE WILL SEE TO
THAT
)N A FULL YEAR IN THE 5+
6OLKSWAGEN EXPECTS TO SELL
SALOONS AND
ESTATES WHICH WILL BE
LAUNCHED IN THE AUTUMN
3OME OF THOSE SALES WILL
BE TO mEETS
6OLKSWAGENS HEAD OF mEET
SERVICES 6INCE +INNER
BELIEVES HE WILL NOT SELL ANY
MORE OF THE NEW 0ASSAT THAN HE
DID OF THE OLD ONE )TS NOT A
VEHICLE 6OLKSWAGEN WANTS TO
PUSH HARD ON VOLUME 9OU GET
THE FEELING THE BOSSES THINK ITS
SUCH A STRONG PROPOSITION THAT
IT WILL lND ITS OWN WAY IN THE
MARKET
)T IS CERTAINLY STRONG IN THE
WAY IT LOOKS 6OLKSWAGEN
EXECUTIVES TALK ABOUT THE
0ASSAT HAVING UPMARKET NEW
AESTHETICS n AND THEYRE RIGHT
4HE CHROME GRILLE n
STANDARD ON ALL MODELS n
SCULPTED METAL mANKS AND
SPARKLING FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS
GIVE THE 0ASSAT A LUXURIOUS BIG
CAR APPEARANCE ALTHOUGH IT
NEEDS A LIGHTER SHADE OF PAINT
TO SHOW IT OFF ITS FULL GLAMOUR
4HE DELICATE LIGHT BLUE DOES IT
BEST WHILE SOME OF THE DARKER
COLOURS KILL OFF THE SHEEN
4HE 0ASSATS STRIKING NEW
LOOKS HIT HOME WHEN ONE
LOOMS IN YOUR REAR VIEW
MIRROR &OR THE lRST TIME IN A
LONG WHILE IT IS AN UPPER
MEDIUM CAR THAT HAS REAL
PRESENCE ON THE ROAD n NOT JUST
THE LEAN ATHLETIC GOOD LOOKS OF
THE -AZDA WHEN IT LAUNCHED
OR THE SHARPNESS AND SOLID
mANKS OF THE !CCORD BUT GOOD
OLD
FASHIONED PREMIUM QUALITY
APPEAL
)T GLITTERS LIKE AN /SCARS
NIGHT STARLET AND GIVING
COMPANY CAR DRIVERS MORE
USED TO THE MEAT AND TWO VEG
FARE GENERALLY TYPICAL OF THE
SECTOR THE CHANCE TO SAMPLE A
TASTE OF THE HIGH LIFE WILL PROVE
TEMPTING FOR MANY
&OUR ENGINES WILL BE
AVAILABLE AT LAUNCH n TWO
PETROL AND TWO DIESEL !
BHP
LITRE &3) PETROL
ENGINE WILL INTRODUCE THE
RANGE FOLLOWED UP BY A
BHP
LITRE &3) WHILE ON
THE DIESEL FRONT THERE IS A
BHP 4$) AND BHP
4$) ,ATER IN THE YEAR A
BHP
LITRE 4 &3) AND
BHP DIESEL WILL JOIN THE
RANGE
5NSURPRISINGLY THE NEW CAR
IS LARGER THAN THE MODEL IT
REPLACES CMS LONGER
ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THAT HAS
TRANSLATED INTO EXTRA BOOT SPACE
n A MASSIVE LITRES n AND
IT IS CMS WIDER "UT THANKS TO
NEW LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS IT
WEIGHS NO MORE 4HAT HELPS TO
KEEP FUEL CONSUMPTION AND
EMISSIONS IN CHECK
6OLKSWAGEN RECKONS IT HAS
KNOCKED MORE THAN a OFF
THE SERVICING COSTS FOR MOST
mEETS OF THE NEW 0ASSAT PARTLY
BECAUSE IT DOESNT NEED A
CAMBELT INSPECTION BEFORE
MILES n ESPECIALLY KEY
FOR LEASING lRMS PREDICTING
MAINTENANCE BUDGETS OVER
THREE YEARS
4HE COST OF REPLACEMENT
PARTS HAS ALSO COME DOWN
WITH THE lRM ADMITTING THAT
HISTORICALLY THE COST OF SOME
WERE TOO HIGH )T CLAIMS TO
HAVE RECTIlED THAT SINCE THE
LAUNCH OF THE 'OLF LAST YEAR
0RICES ARENT YET CONlRMED
BUT +INNER SAYS THAT mEETS WILL
BE @SHOCKED BY THE PRICING
PRESUMABLY PLEASANTLY SO (E
SAID THE PERCEPTION OF THE lRM
FOR EXPENSIVE CARS AT LAUNCH
WILL BE WELL AND TRULY BANISHED
WITH THE PRICING STRUCTURE OF
THE NEW 0ASSAT %XPECT THE
MFCBJN8><EG8JJ8K=8:K=@C<
Df[\c1
(%-=J@
)%'=J@
(%0K;@
)%'K;@
<e^`e\ ZZ 1
(#,0/
(#0/+
(#/0-
(#0-/
DXogfn\i Y_g&igd 1
((*&-#'''
(+.&&-#'''
('*&+#'''
(*.&+#'''
DXokfihl\ cY$]k&igd 1
((+&+#'''
(+/&*#,''
(/+&(#0''
)*-&(#/''
DXojg\\[ dg_ 1
()+
(*)
((.
(*'
'$-)dg_ j\Z 1
((%+
0%+
()%(
0%/
:fdY]l\cZfejldgk`fe dg^ 1
*.%.
*+%+
,'%+
+.%0
:F)\d`jj`fej ^&bd 1
(/'
(0.
(,(
(,0
KiXejd`jj`fe1,jg (%0K;@ #-jg#Xlkf#;J>=l\ckXebZXgXZ`kp c&^Xc 1(,%+&.'
J\im`Z\`ek\imXc d`c\j 1mXi`XYc\FejXc\1Ale\)'',Gi`Z\j FKI 1]ifd(,#,'' \jk
WWWmEETNEWSNETCOUK
RANGE TO START AT ABOUT THE SAME
AS THE OUTGOING ONE n ABOUT
a
(ELPING THE CAR WILL BE
STRONG RESIDUAL VALUES -ANY
LEASING lRMS PRIVATELY BELIEVE
THE 0ASSAT COULD lNALLY MAKE
THE LEAP IT HAS BEEN THREATENING
INTO PREMIUM TERRITORY
PERCENTAGE RETAINED VALUE
WHEN IT COMES TO RESALE
#ERTAINLY EXPERTS AT THE
PRICE GUIDES CAN SEE AN UPLIFT
OF FOUR TO SIX PERCENTAGE
POINTS OVER THE OUTGOING NINE
YEAR
OLD CAR WHICH COULD
MEAN 26S IN THE LOW
AREA
)T WILL COME LADEN WITH ALL
THE TECHNOLOGY A PREMIUM
BUYER EXPECTS 4RIMS WILL BE 3
3% 3PORT AND A (IGHLINE
TYPE
SPEC ALTHOUGH EXACT 5+
EQUIPMENT LISTS ARE NOT QUITE
lNALISED
"UT AN ELECTRONIC PARKING
BRAKE AND REAR ,%$ LIGHTS ARE
STANDARD ON ALL MODELS AND
SOME WILL GET CORPORATE TOYS
SUCH AS "LUETOOTH PHONE
PREPARATION ACTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS
TWO ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL AND
KEYLESS OPERATION
+INNER IS EXTREMELY BULLISH
OF ITS WHOLELIFE COSTS CLAIMING
THAT EARLY INDICATIONS SUGGEST A
PENCE PER MILE ADVANTAGE
OVER MILES COMPARED
TO THE LIKES OF THE &ORD
-ONDEO 0EUGEOT AND
6AUXHALL 6ECTRA THANKS TO
STRONG RESIDUALS AND LOW
SERVICING
)F THAT TURNS OUT TO BE THE
CASE A
VEHICLE mEETS
COULD BE SAVING A QUARTER OF A
MILLION POUNDS BY RUNNING
0ASSATS AND 6OLKSWAGENS
CALCULATIONS SUGGEST THAT THE
NEW 0ASSAT WILL BE CHEAPER TO
RUN THAN THE OLD ONE 1UITE
SOME FEAT
9<?@E;K?<N?<<C
4(% OLD 0ASSAT WAS ALWAYS DECENTLY SPACIOUS INSIDE AND THE
NEW CAR IS MUCH OF THE SAME WITHOUT BEING LIMOUSINE
LIKE
7HILE THE 0ASSAT HAS BLOCKBUSTER APPEAL FROM THE OUTSIDE
THINGS ARE A LITTLE MORE DOWN TO EARTH INSIDE -OST OF THE CARS
ON LAUNCH WERE HIGHLY SPECIlED BUT THERE ARE SOME PRETTY
DRAB PLASTICS ON VIEW n MOST NOTICEABLY ON THE DOORS WHERE
THERE IS A WIDE SWATHE OF
CHEAP
LOOKING SHINY BLACK
PLASTIC WHILE A LITTLE
IMAGINATION WOULD NOT HAVE
GONE AMISS AROUND THE
lTTINGS LIKE DOOR HANDLES
AND SOME OF THE SWITCHGEAR
.OT THAT THE INTERIOR IS
ENTIRELY FREE OF INTEREST THE
CHROME RINGED DIALS ARE A
CLASSY TOUCH BUT STANDARD
SPECIlCATION CARS HAVE MUCH THE SAME ATMOSPHERE INSIDE AS
ANY OTHER VOLUME CAR )TS ONLY IN THE BRUSHED ALUMIUNIUM
LEATHERED AND HIGHLY
SPECIlED INTERIOR WHERE YOU CAN START TO
FEEL LUXURY NUZZLING UP AGAINST YOU
4HE DRIVING POSITION IS EXCELLENT WHICH 6OLKSWAGEN GETS
RIGHT MORE THAN ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER AND THE CLOTH AND
LEATHER SEAT COMBINATIONS OF THE TEST CARS PROVED VERY
COMFORTABLE INDEED %SPECIALLY SO THE LEATHER SEATS WHICH ARE
SOFTER VERSION OF THE COOL MULTI
PANELED CHAIRS IN THE 'OLF
'4) )T RIDES WELL AND THE STEERING HAS THE SAME INERT FEEL OF
ALL 6OLKSWAGENS ALTHOUGH IT FELT ODDLY HEAVY ON SMALL WHEEL
HIGH
SIDED TYRE VARIANTS 4HE NEW MULTI
LINK REAR SUSPENSION
CERTAINLY HELPS ITS HANDLING ALTHOUGH MORE AT HIGH SPEED
MOTORWAY CORNERING KEEPING IT mAT AND STABLE
4HE NEW 0ASSAT WILL TUCK INTO A TWISTY ROAD IF YOU LEAD IT
THERE BUT TO BE HONEST IT FEELS MORE COMFORTABLE AS A LONG
DISTANCE CRUISER
/F THE ENGINES THE
LITRE BHP DIESEL UNIT DOES MOST OF
WHAT A mEET WOULD EVER WANT AND IS ACTUALLY QUIETER AND MORE
RElNED THAN THE NEWER
LITRE 4$) OPTIONS )T DOESNT HAVE
THE SHOVE OF THE BIGGER DIESEL BUT A COMBINED lGURE OF MPG
AND #/ OF GKM IS HARD TO ARGUE AGAINST
!LL THE GEARBOXES WORK WELL FROM THE lVE SPEED MANUAL ON
THE SMALLER ENGINES TO THE FANTASTIC $3' SEMI
AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX WHICH IS THE CHOICE TO GO FOR IF YOU CAN STAND THE
a EXTRA IT IS LIKELY TO COST
;i`m`e^m\i[`Zk
). THE RIGHT SPECIlCATION IN THE RIGHT COLOUR THE 0ASSAT REALLY
IS A PREMIUM PRODUCT 7HETHER THAT WILL CUT ANY ICE WITH
PREMIUM BUYERS REMAINS TO BE SEEN "UT FOR NOW 6OLKSWAGEN
CAN CONSOLE ITSELF WITH HAVING EASILY THE BEST CAR IN THE VOLUME
UPPER
MEDIUM SEGMENT IF IT IS PRICED RIGHT
-ARCH &,%%4 .%73 )0
