Price and equipment
The sedan version of the 118TSI, complete with the latest seven-speed version of VW’s “DSG” dual-clutch automatic transmission, starts from $38,990 plus on-road and dealer costs. The wagon adds $2000.
The 1.8-litre engine is used throughout Volkswagen’s car brands but that makes it no less laudable, as various awards attest.
It produces 118kW and 250Nm, averages 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres and accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 8.7 seconds. Compare that with the old price leader, the turbo diesel 103TDI.
It was $4000 more expensive, produced 103kW and 320Nm, averaged 6.5L/100km and accelerated from rest to 100km/h in 10.1 seconds.
Standard 118TSI equipment includes an electronic parking brake, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a trip computer, six-CD audio with eight speakers and an MP3-compatible SD card slot. However, Bluetooth is optional and the driver’s seat is only partly powered.
The Passat has a five-star NCAP crash rating. It comes with front, side and curtain airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes. Front and rear parking assist and tyre-pressure indication are standard.
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