MY13 changes

[Riker]

Taken direct from GoAuto article 28-8-12...

Sales of VW’s Passat mid-size sedan and wagon are also up substantially this year, by 70 per cent to 3127 units.

But VW is maintaining the pressure by adding extra features at no extra cost.

The biggest news is the addition of standard satellite navigation with voice control and integrated phone, radio, 30GB hard-drive, DVD, CD and MP3 functions.

The LCD screen also displays the images from the new standard rear-view camera.

The V6 FSI Passats get steering wheel gear-change paddles, while the wagon variants add automatic tailgate operation that was previously optional.

As well, the optional driver assistance and visibility package gains blind-spot warning, along with other items such as bi-xenon headlights and lane assist.

The six-model Passat range otherwise remains unchanged, with prices starting at $38,990 for the petrol 118TSI and topping out with the V6 FSI Highline Wagon at $57,990 (plus on-road costs).

Later this year, VAG will launch the crossover Alltrack version of the Passat wagon, completing the range that also includes the recently launched coupe-style CC sedan.

From another article today the Alltrack should be here in November as quoted by VWA CEO.

[wind]

CC and EOS have kessy. I have DLC headlights on their way from poland to fit onto the passat wagon

Pardon me if I am asking a dumb question - the DLC lights you are getting, are they std bi-xenon or special ones?? The reason I ask is that current bi-xenon can already do the 'moves' but are not linked to the camera and controller for the dynamic component . . . (link - a good explanation of DLC)

will not get a chance to look at colour MFD or DLC for a while . . . my better half is not inclined to appreciate the value of such things, maybe down the track . . .

Keep us posted - maybe start a new thread on it to show us how it all goes?

PS: KESSY is one of those things I'm wary of. Part of my job description - in IT security I'm paranoid by nature. Keyless entry systems *have* been successfully and somewhat shockingly easily been hacked. Interesting example for BMW.

In my other cars which had keyless entry/start, I find the convenience and usefulness of the keyless entry + start significantly outweighs the limited risk of someone getting into your car with IT jiggery-pokery (no offence intended to the IT crowd - have several IT heads, myself included, in the family!) . . .

In fact, my wife has said that she wants keyless entry/start on all her cars, this happened within a day or two of getting/driving our first car with keyless entry/start and not having to dig her keys out every time she drove.


. . . one thing to remember re security - keys and locking the car are designed to make it less convenient for someone to get into the car, not impossible.

On the practical front, if they want to get into the car, a brick through the window is a lot quicker than stuffing about with technology OR they will tow the car if they want it desperately enough!

[Marakai]

In fact, my wife has said that she wants keyless entry/start on all her cars, this happened within a day or two of getting/driving our first car with keyless entry/start and not having to dig her keys out every time she drove.

Yeah, I expect my wife would fall in love with it in about 0.05 seconds flat. Whereas I want an entry system that makes me wave my hand in front of the lock like a Jedi ("this is the driver you're looking for").

On the practical front, if they want to get into the car, a brick through the window is a lot quicker than stuffing about with technology OR they will tow the car if they want it desperately enough!

Well yeah, but it's the difference between cracking a safe and being a CEO: blue collar brute force versus white collar criminal leaving no trace.

[Marakai]

Taken direct from GoAuto article 28-8-12...
Later this year, VAG will launch the crossover Alltrack version of the Passat wagon, completing the range that also includes the recently launched coupe-style CC sedan.

From another article today the Alltrack should be here in November as quoted by VWA CEO.

Here's hoping. Despite my slowly starting to wonder (it's all Hillbilly's fault!) whether it will suffice as our main towing vehicle.

[wind]

Whereas I want an entry system that makes me wave my hand in front of the lock like a Jedi ("this is the driver you're looking for").

Fully agree with you - it would be really cool to have the full 3 level security capability (based on: what you have, what you know and what you are)!

Well yeah, but it's the difference between cracking a safe and being a CEO: blue collar brute force versus white collar criminal leaving no trace.

Trouble is, I do not think that too many CEO's go around breaking into cars . . . much easier and quicker ways for them to get their dough

[booba]

Hey mate, lights for DLC are definately different according to etka. The dynamic cornering is just one aspect of DLC. You also have these active shutters driven by stepper motors that are adjusted to blank out light that will affect other traffic.

Pardon me if I am asking a dumb question - the DLC lights you are getting, are they std bi-xenon or special ones?? The reason I ask is that current bi-xenon can already do the 'moves' but are not linked to the camera and controller for the dynamic component . . . (link - a good explanation of DLC)

will not get a chance to look at colour MFD or DLC for a while . . . my better half is not inclined to appreciate the value of such things, maybe down the track . . .

Keep us posted - maybe start a new thread on it to show us how it all goes?




In my other cars which had keyless entry/start, I find the convenience and usefulness of the keyless entry + start significantly outweighs the limited risk of someone getting into your car with IT jiggery-pokery (no offence intended to the IT crowd - have several IT heads, myself included, in the family!) . . .

In fact, my wife has said that she wants keyless entry/start on all her cars, this happened within a day or two of getting/driving our first car with keyless entry/start and not having to dig her keys out every time she drove.


. . . one thing to remember re security - keys and locking the car are designed to make it less convenient for someone to get into the car, not impossible.

On the practical front, if they want to get into the car, a brick through the window is a lot quicker than stuffing about with technology OR they will tow the car if they want it desperately enough!

[Marakai]

Fully agree with you - it would be really cool to have the full 3 level security capability (based on: what you have, what you know and what you are)!

Always the trade off between security and convenience. I deal with it every day. KESSY (or just a car key) is what we have, but unless we add voice recognition or a password entry pad (some cars have/had PIN pads) for what we know and then also biometrics for who we are, we'll never get all 3 without drivers screaming about the inconvenience. Don't see that insurance rates would drop enough to make up for the added cost either.

Still, it would be cool. Ideally with a voice interface in the vehicle. Now, would I give my car the H.A.L 9000 voice ("open the car door, HAL", "I'm sorry, I can't do that" ) or GlaDOS (or even Cave Johnson?! "I'll build a car door to blow up your house!")? OK, that probably went way over all the non-gamers heads! Sorry about that!

More seriously:

Trouble is, I do not think that too many CEO's go around breaking into cars . . . much easier and quicker ways for them to get their dough

My point really was that merely hacking the electronics allows a thief to take over a car with absolutely no damage. No broken windows, not even a scratched lock, not ripped out hotwire. I would imagine it's a thief (and fence's) dream. Any car thieves on the forum to enlighten us?

[booba]

Niiice, another toy on the new car

As well, the optional driver assistance and visibility package gains blind-spot warning, along with other items such as bi-xenon headlights and lane assist.

[cru22z]

Why they always do this to cars! Makes me wanna sell mine to get a new one

[booba]

Always blows. have to take the plunge somewhere.. I just know that right after this is release, the MY14 passat will have even more features - DLC/Premium Cluster etc etc... So i will just fit all that

Why they always do this to cars! Makes me wanna sell mine to get a new one