New Passat B8 review

**tigger73** · 25-02-2016, 05:47 PM

I think the VW guys got their noses out of joint when they found out that Skoda was bringing out the 206kW AWD Superb

**kleung** · 25-02-2016, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by tigger73

I think the VW guys got their noses out of joint when they found out that Skoda was bringing out the 206kW AWD Superb

Not an unreasonable speculation - the R36 sold very well here, so VW would almost certainly lose sales to Skoda if they didn't bring the 206TSI here, since they currently don't have a direct replacement for R36/V6 Highline buyers.

I guess the next logical question would be - will it be sold as a Highline or with an R badge?

**tigger73** · 25-02-2016, 07:13 PM

Yes agree but the Superb isn't a direct competitor as it is truly a large car. Have you seen how cavernous that thing is?

I'm not sure it would have an R designation as it would be an R20. It's not an R-line either as its not just a trim kit.

Maybe it'll just come out with a 4-motion badge...

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**Buzy_Robot** · 25-02-2016, 11:37 PM

Given the tepid response to the B8 Passat in Australia so far, a 206TSi AWD would make for an excellent strategy.

Any ideas on when we can expect MY17 Passat variants? From memory, I'm thinking July 2016 onwards, but I could be wrong.

**prn31** · 26-02-2016, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by tigger73

Yes agree but the Superb isn't a direct competitor as it is truly a large car. Have you seen how cavernous that thing is?

I'm not sure it would have an R designation as it would be an R20. It's not an R-line either as its not just a trim kit.

Maybe it'll just come out with a 4-motion badge...

It wouldn’t be an R20. They don’t have Golf R20s, they just call them Golf R.

I think it will just be called the TSI 206 R-Line, like they called it over the ditch in NZ.

Here’s a thought. The Bentley Bentagya has just been released with a 6.0 W12 that is said to be 90% new and 30kg lighter with 447kW. Could the once rumoured 3.0 VR6 turbo be spun off this? Say 240-250kW and 4Motion? Now that would be a real Passat R!

**kleung** · 28-02-2016, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by tigger73

Yes agree but the Superb isn't a direct competitor as it is truly a large car. Have you seen how cavernous that thing is?

The 'current' Superb is actually smaller than the B7 Passat in every dimension (exterior). I can't find published interior dimensions for the Passats so I can't compare interior size:

2015 Superb Ambition 118TSI (Sedan and wagon)
Length: 4833mm
Width: 1817mm

2015 Passat 118TSI B7 (Sedan and wagon)
Length: 4874mm (+41mm)
Width: 1820mm (+3mm)

The B8 Passat has been made significantly shorter, and the conversely, thew Superb has grown slightly longer, which means that the new Superb is significantly bigger than the B8 Passat.

2016 New Superb Hatchback
Length: 4861mm (+94mm)
Width: 1864mm (+32mm)

2016 New Superb Wagon
Length: 4856mm (+89mm)
Width: 1864mm (+32mm)

2015 Passat 132TSI B8 (Sedan and wagon)
Length: 4767mm
Width: 1832mm

So you might be correct for the new models, but I think a case could be made that they're still direct competitors given that they are still in similar price ranges, share most of their running gear and have very similar equipment levels.

**Riker** · 11-03-2016, 11:05 AM

kleung mate, where ever you got the specs for the B7 Passat you need to contact them & tell them they are wrong.

The length of B8 in both sedan & wagon is also less than those of the B7 equivalents.

The official dimensions of the B7 Passat:

Originally Posted by kleung

The 'current' Superb is actually smaller than the B7 Passat in every dimension (exterior). I can't find published interior dimensions for the Passats so I can't compare interior size:

2015 Superb Ambition 118TSI (Sedan and wagon)
Length: 4833mm
Width: 1817mm

2015 Passat 118TSI B7 (Sedan and wagon)
Length: 4874mm (+41mm)
Width: 1820mm (+3mm)

The B8 Passat has been made significantly shorter, and the conversely, thew Superb has grown slightly longer, which means that the new Superb is significantly bigger than the B8 Passat.

2016 New Superb Hatchback
Length: 4861mm (+94mm)
Width: 1864mm (+32mm)

2016 New Superb Wagon
Length: 4856mm (+89mm)
Width: 1864mm (+32mm)

2015 Passat 132TSI B8 (Sedan and wagon)
Length: 4767mm
Width: 1832mm

So you might be correct for the new models, but I think a case could be made that they're still direct competitors given that they are still in similar price ranges, share most of their running gear and have very similar equipment levels.