New Passat B8 review

[entice]

One of the main irritations of my B6 Passat is the relatively indirect steering. After several years of driving it, I still can't get used to winding on armfuls of lock to go round the simplest corner. Yes, I'm exaggerating ... but I would still prefer more direct steering.

I read with interest that the new B8 R-Line has "progressive steering with 2.1 turns lock-to-lock". Is there anyone who has test-driven or owns a B8 R-Line that can comment on the steering ratio? Does "progressive" mean variable weighting according to speed or variable ratio?

That's a tough one.
I can only answer it thus:

Compared to our outgoing 2012 TDI wagon, the B8 TDI RLine doesnt feel like a boat. Steering feels a lot more responsive, communicative, and faster. Handles a lot nicer, and the difference between how it drives and how my Golf R drives is a lot less, when compared to the B7.

I dont have any complaints about the steering.

If you're thinking of it, the best features of the R Line package are:
the seats. So much better. more support than the standards, but not as tight as those in teh Golf R (not R line but R)
paddles on steering wheel
Black roof liner

[GTP044]

Sorry for the delayed reply regarding our new Highline sedan with both luxury and R line package. All I can say is that both my wife and I absolutely love it. Around town fuel consumption is averaging about 7 L/100 which is obviously more than the brochure says but is still a lot better than what our diesel Territory was averaging for the same kind of driving. It has plenty of power, is comfortable, the R line seats are brilliant (I used to have 2 FPV GTP Falcons and the seats in the R line are every bit as good as those) I haven't had a play with the different suspension settings but just on 'normal' mode, the car holds the road brilliantly and is firm but by no means uncomfortable. I've not had a car before with so many electronic gizmos. From the lane departure assist to adaptive cruise it's weird having a car that 'thinks' for itself.
Our other car is an Amarok and I have to say that both my wife and I reckon that the Amarok is a bit quieter inside than what the Passat is engine wise. The only thing that my wife says she has to get used to again is having a low car that she has to be really careful with when going in and out of driveways compared to the Rok and her old Territory.
Hope this is helpful, if anyone has any questions just ask away.

Cheers,

Greg.

[Riker]

The steering on R-line Passats is a progressive variable ratio just as in Golf GTi, R etc. Turn in is quicker than B6-B7 Passat & lock to lock is certainly less ie variable ratio..

One of the main irritations of my B6 Passat is the relatively indirect steering. After several years of driving it, I still can't get used to winding on armfuls of lock to go round the simplest corner. Yes, I'm exaggerating ... but I would still prefer more direct steering.

I read with interest that the new B8 R-Line has "progressive steering with 2.1 turns lock-to-lock". Is there anyone who has test-driven or owns a B8 R-Line that can comment on the steering ratio? Does "progressive" mean variable weighting according to speed or variable ratio?

[3C4M Guy]

The steering on R-line Passats is a progressive variable ratio just as in Golf GTi, R etc. Turn in is quicker than B6-B7 Passat & lock to lock is certainly less ie variable ratio..

I guess the critical difference is the steering of a B6 Passat seems to be a fraction under 3 turns lock-to-lock - say 2.9.
If a B8 R-Line is 2.1 turns, then it would be a significant improvement for someone who wants quick steering ... although a variable ratio would probably mean the steering would be no quicker for the first 1/4 turn or so away from centre.

[Buzy_Robot]

Decisions, decisions!

Went to my local VW dealer yesterday and test drove both a petrol and diesel B8 Passat. Liked them both and I can certainly see why they're a step up over the B7. Everything good about the previous Passat is now demonstrably better. There are certainly a lot more doodads and gizmos to play with on the B8 Passat, so I’ll need to set aside some time getting to know them properly.

I actually went in thinking I'd go for a petrol variant, but I found the throttle response in the petrol too hypersensitive for my liking. Then again, I'm coming from a B7 125TDI sedan and have grown accustomed to the more laid back nature of power delivery and throttle response in the diesel. Besides, I like the diesel growl - perhaps I'm just a diesel junkie after all?!

The diesel emissions scandal has weighed on my mind, but having a DPF and now an AdBlue urea system are fine by me as it comes as close as possible to 'clean' diesel.

I’d read in various reviews that the ride can be quite brittle on the lower profile tyres, but coming from 18’ tyres on my current Passat, there didn’t seem to be any noticeable deterioration in ride quality.

Dealer offered me a generous trade-in allowance of $21,000 for my MY13 125TDI with sports pack and 37,500ks on it. Whack on $32,000 in changeover and I got myself a 140TDI sedan in white with the R-Line pack. Should look quite spiffy on the road! My dealer is throwing in window tinting, a full tank of fuel and a luggage compartment tray.

I take delivery in about 3 weeks - can't wait!

[Buzy_Robot]

Just picked up my 140TDI Highline sedan with the R-Line package:

PROS: Sports seats are exceptionally comfortable; sports steering wheel is great to hold; progressive steering is a revelation compared to B7 Passat; decidedly crisp handling and assured chassis balance; R-Line body kit really gives the car street cred; good noise insulation; improved build quality over B7 Passat with no rattles evident; lots of new gadgets and gizmos to play with inside!

CONS: Comfortable, albeit busy ride on 19’ low profile tyres; excessive heat and noisy cooling fans when DPF in operation

[Elmura]

After reading the CarAdvice review, it sounded like the drive would be annoying with a combo of turbo lag & DSG lag. Owning a petrol CC, I can understand the occasional DSG lag when it doesn't do what's requested or expected. So adding turbo lag apparently makes things worse...

What is your personal experience for owners about this (not opinions or brief test drive)

[Buzy_Robot]

After reading the CarAdvice review, it sounded like the drive would be annoying with a combo of turbo lag & DSG lag. Owning a petrol CC, I can understand the occasional DSG lag when it doesn't do what's requested or expected. So adding turbo lag apparently makes things worse...

What is your personal experience for owners about this (not opinions or brief test drive)

Truth be told, the diesel / DSG combo is an acquired taste. The lag being referred to is there, but not as pronounced as he's suggesting. Having owned both a diesel B7 and now diesel B8 Passat, that lag is a distinct characteristic, but one gets used to it because when all that delicious torque kicks in, there's nothing comparable!

In contrast, the petrol variant is more sprightly and provides a seemingly immediate throttle response. Coupled with a wider power range, it offers a different driving experience to the diesel.

Both engines have their appeal, albeit in different ways. Make sense?

[Buzy_Robot]

Two days old with 120 ks covered in purely urban driving and I've noticed the DPF running wildly for over half that distance. It's noiser than the DPF in the B7, seems located closer to the cockpit and gives off quite a lot of heat around the front doors when the car is parked and turned off. Maybe the DPF is running as designed, but I'd appreciate other B8 diesel owners sharing their observations.

[Buzy_Robot]

In the absence of any warning lights and now that the DPF and cooling fans have settled down, all is good with my new Passat. Great, actually. In many ways the B8 Passat reminds of the second generation Mazda6 I had between 2008 - 2011. A real driver's car, albeit crying out for a more zesty engine.

It would be great to see the more powerful diesel and petrol engines released in New Zealand reach us, but the sales guy I bought it from made mention that bi-turbo engines - without an appropriate software tune - would be hampered by the Northern Territory heat.