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road test

Friday, august 26, 2011

Peppy, roomy and affordable

VW passat:

The specs

TDI version boasts much-improved fuel economy and all-new styling

By DaviD Booth
Postmedia News

The main issue was going slow enough. The new Passat, promised Transport Canada, gatekeeper of Canadian fuel economy standards, should sip but 4.9 litres (4.4 if it were a manual version) of lowsulphur diesel per 100 kilometres of highway travel were I just able to keep the rambunctious family sedan down to 100 klicks an hour. The only problem is that the Passat TDI wanted nothing to do with 100 km/h. Left to its own devices, or, more accurately, my right foot, it was happiest at a $180-fine-inducing 130 km/h or an even more expensive 140. Its on-board computer would still register a frugal six or so L/100 km. And dont be fooled by the typically-low-for-a-diesel 140 horsepower. Its backed up by a stout 236 poundfeet of torque. Feeling every bit as torquey as a mid-displacement V6, its only after 4,000 rpm that the TDI runs out of puff, and by that time, youre well into the licence-losing region of speed limit scofflawing. The other thing thats noticeable is

vW Passat tDi is powered by 2.0-litre turbo diesel producing 140 horsepower.

submitted photos

that the Passat sacrifices little for the new Volkswagen policy of pricing competitively with its Japanese competition. Volkswagen claims the 2012 Passats base price of $23,975 is $3,800 less than last years and a whopping $7,000 less than the 2008 cars. What you get is a roomy interior that Volkswagen claims offers the most rear legroom in this segment.

Its an about-face from the previous Passat that was short on both counts and, in an unusual twist, this largesse is only available in North America; Europe and the rest of the world get a smaller car wearing the same badge. VW purists will lament that the Passat is no longer built on the same platform as the Audi A4. A few will miss its

more distinctively European styling. Some will even lament that Volkswagens cost-cutting binge has seen the wonderful 2.0T replaced by the 2.5L five as the base engine. But no one will miss the hefty price tag that often saw the Volkswagen competing in Audis price range. And if they opt for the TDI version, they probably wont miss stopping at the pumps so often.

type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive mid-sized sedan Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel i4 Power: 140hp at 4,000 rpm; 236 lbs.-ft of torque at 1,750-2,500 rpm transmission: 6-speed manumatic Brakes: Four-wheel disc with Abs tires: p2315/55R17 Price: base/as tested: $35,400/$35,400 Destination charge: $1,365 transport Canada fuel economy: L/100 km 6.9 city, 4.9 hwy. Standard features: power door locks, windows and mirrors, front and rear air conditioning with micron air filter, Am/Fm/Cd/mp3 player, six-disc Cd changer, ipod connectivity, sirius satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power sunroof, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, leather seats, eight-way power driver and passenger seat, heated front seats, auto headlights, dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, side curtain airbags front and rear, tire pressure monitoring system

T H E

2 0 11

FO R E S T E R

Loaded with everything.

(And still has room for your stuff)
Standard features: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive 170HP 2.5L BOXER engine 5-speed manual transmission with Hill Holder system Driver and front passenger front- and side-impact airbags Air conditioning Power windows, mirrors Vehicle Dynamics Control system and Traction Control Heated front seats Satelliteready radio Steering wheel-integrated audio controls Roof rails Top Safety Pick Residual Value Award Best Mainstream BrandAnd more
2011 Forester 2.5X

The only manufacturer with 2011 IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models.

ALG - Residual Value Award. Best mainstream brand

Lease Rates

48 mos.,as low as

*Model shown is a 2011 Forester 2.5X 5MT (BJ1 XO) with MSRP of $27,945 including freight & PDI ($1,525), documentation fees ($395) and battery and tire tax ($30). License, taxes, insurance and registration extra. Lease offer valid on new 2011 Forester 2.5X 5MT (BJ1 XO) models. MSRP of $25,995. Payment of **$298.38 /mo. based on a 24,000 kilometre per year lease with excess charge of $0.10/km. ***1.9% lease rate for a 48 mo. term with $3,300.00 down. Total lease obligation is $14,322.24. The residual value at the end of term is $11,697.75. Freight & PDI ($1,525), documentation fees ($395), and Battery and Tire Tax ($30), are included in payment. Lease security deposit & PPSA included. License, insurance, registration & taxes, extra. Financing and leasing programs available through Toyota Credit Canada Inc. on approved credit. Dealers may sell for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. **/***Offers valid until August 31, 2011. See your local Subaru dealer or www.western.subarudealer.ca for complete details. Ratings of Good are the highest rating awarded for 40-mph frontal offset, 31-mph side-impact and 20-mph rear-impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) (www.iihs.org). A Good rating obtained in all three crash tests plus a Good rating in new roof strength testing and the availability of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (Vehicle Dynamics Control) achieves a 2011 Top Safety Pick. Based on ALGs 2011 Residual Value Award for any mainstream brand.
VAN01059882_1_1

1.9%

***

Payment/mo.
for 48 mos.

$299

**

Well equipped

plus AWD from

$27,945

Offers end August 31