THE ALL-NEW VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

With the arrival of the all-new 1998 Volkswagen Passat, the tranquil mid-sized family car market in North America is getting a loud wake up call from Germany. The new Passat, Volkswagens most refined attractive and best driving car ever, proves that an adult decision to buy a sensible car doesn't automatically suspend one's adrenaline flow to the brain. The new Passat stands out in a sea of midsize competitors. From its dynamic European styling, to its unique balance of comfort and functionality, to its authentic and invigorating German driving experience, the Passat delivers what can't be found anywhere else in its price segment. And like other great cars of the autobahn, the Passat has been built to high standards. Outwardly, this attention to quality in the new Passat can even be seen in its solid aerodynamic new looks. A technically advanced German sports sedan, the new Passat GLS uses a revolutionary new four-link front suspension system that rewrites the rules on how well a front wheel-drive car can handle. It is powered by a potent 5-valve-per-cylinder,150 horsepower four-cylinder engine that can be mated to a new optional 5-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic®. ABS with electronic traction control helps keep its refined power in check. Advanced occupant safety in this newest Volkswagen includes standard seat-mounted side airbags.

INTERIOR - Buy The Passat Here

Inside, the five-passenger Passat GLS's new mid-size interior is designed to accommodate active Iifestyles with Volkswagen's traditional functionality and segment-leading standard equipment. It comes supremely equipped with standard amenities that include CFC-free air conditioning, one-touch down and one-touch up power windows (front only) with pinch protection, retractable front cup holders, keyless entry and a new premium AM/FM cassette stereo with CD capability. Future Passat models to be introduced later in 1998 will be powered by a 30-valve, 190-horsepower V6 and Volkswagen's award-winning TDI, turbo-direct injection diesel. A Passat wagon will also be offered in the coming year.

FIRST OF A NEW BREED - Buy The Passat Here

The Passat is the first of a new breed of Volkswagens and has already generated high praise from the automotive press in Germany, where it was originally launched. One of that nation's most popular publications, Bild am Sonntag, awarded the new Passat the "Golden Steering Wheel," a selection made by an international jury of race car drivers, automotive experts and consumers. Other awards from Europe include a prestigious "Best Car of 1997" from auto motor und sport and "New Car of the Year" from AutoBild. In its review, AutoBild said of the Passat: "Volkswagen has been granted a smooth ascendance with this car. The Passat offers all around upper class quality. It only remains true to its middle class customers in cost and gas consumption."

A NEW STANDARD - Buy The Passat Here

The new Passat has been designed to meet and even exceed the standards of some of Germany's most prestigious luxury sedans-at a price below what you would expect in this class of car. This attention to quality can plainly be seen when viewing the new Passat. Its solid, built-from-a-single-block appearance is not only good design, it is also a product of the Passat's exceptionally narrow panel gaps and joints lines. This also gives the Passat's bodyshell exceptional strength-10 percent more than that of its forerunner-and adds to its rock solid feel when driving. To achieve such high standards in panel gaps during production, Volkswagen uses a unique "cubing model," an aluminum casting of the car that is precision milled. This cubing model is then used as a reference by computer to detect the slightest deviation. A parallel procedure known as "internal cubing" is used to check the structure from the inside. In addition to bodyshell rigidity, the new Passat's dynamic rigidity, a major factor in a car's handling and crash safety, has improved by 35 percent over its predecessor. In large part, this is the result of advanced production processes that include the extensive use of computer simulations, high-strength metals and a one-piece body side structure. Laser beam welding is also employed to produce a continuous, narrow and precise seam; high strength adhesives are used at the joints. The new Passat is the first Volkswagen to be fully galvanized, allowing for an exceptional limited corrosion warranty of 11 years.

THE INSIDE STORY - Buy The Passat Here

Inside, the Passat is also entirely refashioned. Finished in a high quality standard, and carrying through the same conf dent flair as the exterior, the interior encourages comparison with the highest class passenger cars. An engaging two-tone cockpit design presents a sporty touch of elegance, and smooth transitions from the instrument panel to the doors and console help create a feeling of spatial harmony. As found in all Volkswagens that make driving position paramount, the new Passat interior offers a nearly unrestricted view outside. Seating position is high, and controls are logically placed and instantly accessible, giving the driver a confident feeling of control. A height adjustable seat with an adjustable lumbar support, tilting/telescoping steering wheel, back-lit instrumentation and center armrest further ensure driving certitude. Ample space inside the car and for carrying luggage makes the new Passat a sensible choice for all types of activities, whether they are recreational or part of the daily grind. The new Passat carries five adults comfortably and offers 95.4 cubic feet of passenger room, and more headroom and interior width than its forerurmer. Overall legroom is 76.6 inches. At 15 cubic feet, the Passat's trunk volume has also increased over the previous model (14 cu. ft.), ranking it among the largest in its class. Entry and expansion of the fully-lined cargo area is made easy by a space-saving hydraulic hinge design, cargo lighting and a standard split (60/40 and lockable) rear seat.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL - Buy The Passat Here

The attention to detail in the new Passat is further evidence of its world-class status, with the goal being to optimize operation of even the smallest elements of the car. An example of this can be seen in features like the windshield washer jets, which have been designed to deliver a broad, fan-shaped spray. The result is more effective cleaning with far less liquid waste. Other touches can be seen inside the Passat. In keeping with the contoured look of the interior, the ventilation outlets resemble rounded miniature Venetian blinds. The logic of this design is clear when they are adjusted, with a single high-grip surface on each outlet controlling all the slats. This design also helps ensure that no whistling noise is generated. Grab handles may seem like an unlikely place for innovation, but in the new Passat each has been silicone-dampened to glide back smoothly and noiselessly. Noise and exertion are also eliminated at the front seats, which employ a unique roller mounting system that glides the seat when adjusted. And for height adjustments, the Passat offers an ingenious ratcheting pump handle that fits the hand and pumps easily to the desired height. Detail attention is also seen in the color coordination of the Passat interior, which matches the color of the safety belts to the cloth chosen. Even the dual lighted vanity mirrors have been carefully thought through. Unlike other systems, the Passat's lights are separate from the visors and above in the headliner where they emit a softer illumination from above. Extensive interior lighting also includes a center dome light with time delay, integrated front driver and passenger reading lights and two rear reading lights.

THE CHASSIS - Buy The Passat Here

First and foremost a driver's car, the Passat's connected-to-the-road handling has always been what is expected of a true German touring sedan. Now, by combining a revolutionary multi-link front suspension with the Passat's improved structural rigidity, Volkswagen has taken this to a new level of perfection. Developed within the Volkswagen Group, this innovative front suspension seeks to perfect the front-wheel drive concept. Its four-link design creates a virtual center steering axis in which the wheels are steered directly from their center points, rather than at the end of lever arms as was previously typical of front-wheel drive systems. This novel approach virtually eliminates torque steer-a condition in which steering feedback is felt from the driveline during hard acceleration or braking. Instead, even when accelerating through a curve, the Passat's new suspension provides a straight line stability that is instantaneous and precise with a neutral behavior that progresses to a slight, forgiving understeer. Ride comfort is also improved with this new system through the use of high volume rubber mountings. At the rear, the Passat employs an improved independent track-correcting torsion beam rear axle, which has the advantage of constant wheel camber angles as the suspension compresses. Separate coil springs and shock installations are also used. The Passat's new chassis also benefits from power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated front) with the latest generation Bosch® ABS. This advanced ABS allows for standard traction control via electronic differential locking that works at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.

THE POWER OF EFFICIENCY - Buy The Passat Here

What the Passat's dynamic new style promises on the outside, its new efficient four-cylinder powerplant delivers under the hood and on the road. The 1998 Passat GLS is the first Volkswagen to be powered by a unique 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine featuring the automaker's innovative five-valve technology. Providing substantial, six-cylinder-like power and performance, this innovative powerplant uses a turbocharger and an intercooler for cool, high-density intake air a basic ingredient of power. Of course its five-valves per cylinder provide for excellent top-end breathing, and the double overhead camshafts provide for optimal valve control. All of this is built into a compact and efficient long-stroke 1.8 liter four-cylinder package. The result:150 horsepower at 5,700 revolutions per minute and 155 lbs. ft. of torque all the way from 1,750 to 4,600 rpm-an extraordinarily flat torque curve that provides plenty of pulling power from the low end through the top. In addition to providing plenty of on-demand performance, it remains surprisingly economical. When equipped with the five-speed manual, the new Passat GLS is EPA rated at 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Mated to this innovative four-cylinder is a standard five-speed manual transmission or a new optional five-speed automatic with Dynamic Shift Program, which monitors driving conditions and selects a shift strategy from over 200 pre-programmed selections. Coupled with the wide selection of gear ratios offered by a five-speed transmission, this DSP system helps create better off the-line performance, smoother gear changes and improved fuel consumption. This advanced automatic also gives the driver more control than ever with the addition of Tiptronic®, a feature previously reserved only for exotic sports cars and expensive luxury cars. Tiptronic® can either be operated as a normal automatic or it can be upshifted and downshifted manually using a special shift gate.

SUPREMELY EQUIPPED - Buy The Passat Here

In addition to all the equipment previously mentioned, the 1998 Passat GLS also comes equipped with a long list of amenities, including Eurostyle halogen headlamps with polycarbonate lenses and integrated foglamps; full instrumentation, including an analog tachometer and digital clock; a multi-function, two-program trip computer; anti-theft alarm; cruise control; central power locking; remote trunk release; tinted glass; front and rear carpeted floor mats; a full-size spare; front center storage compartment (in armrest), and much more. Available options include leather seating, steering wheel, shift boot, handbrake and door panels; a 5-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic®; a power glass sunroof; six-disc CD changer, and Cold Weather Package that includes heatable front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles. For those looking for more individuality, the new Passat offers a multitude of exterior and interior color combinations. Color choices include a non-metallic Candy White and eight metallic choices: Colorado Red, Satin Silver, Elegant Green, Royal Green, Nebio Blue, Fjord Blue, Windsor Blue and Black Magic. Most of these colors can be ordered with either a Black, Gray or Beige high-quality velour cloth interior.

UNPARALLELED SAFETY - Buy The Passat Here

Active safety in the new Passat comes from its precise handling, the security of front-wheel drive, advanced ABS braking and other accident avoidance aids like daytime rurining lights (DRL). For protection when an accident can't be avoided, the Passat offers a highly advanced passive safety system that comprises a multitude of state-of the-art safety features and structural elements designed to work together to help protect its occupants. This system begins with the Passat's exceptionally rigid body structure that includes energy absorbing crumple zones. In a severe crash, these deformation zones sacrifice themselves in an accordian-like fashion, absorbing the energy to help spare the critical central structure. This system works in concert with an advanced supplemental restraint system. In addition to front driver and passenger airbags, the Passat uses a new seat belt tensioning system that tightens and optimally positions all outboard belts within milliseconds of a severe crash. These three-point safety belts are also equipped with shoulder height adjustments, and to help secure a child safety seat, which should only be used in the rear seats, automatic locking retractors (ALR) and emergency locking retractors (ELR) are provided. The Passat is the first Volkswagen to utilize side airbags for front seat occupants. This system is integrated into the front seats for good reason: no matter where the front occupant adjusts his or her seat position, the airbag maintains its protective relationship. This cannot always be assured if the side airbag is installed in the door or the roof pillar. Side protection is further ensured by special reinforcements and structural members, including anti-intrusion tubes and foam padding at all four doors. Additional frontal impact protection comes from the steering system via a collapsible steering column and a steering wheel specially cushioned and designed to manage impact energy. Further details of how the Passat interior provides occupant protection are found in the absence of sharp interior edges, recessed handles and control switches, crushable sun visors, a foldable rearview mirror and non-override door locks.

PROTECTION PLUS - Buy The Passat Here

Standard on the Passat is one of the most comprehensive warranty and maintenance protection plans available to new car buyers. Volkswagen's Protection Plus includes a two-year/24,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty and the industry's best manufacturer's limited powertrain warranty at 10-years/100,000 miles. Now, with the fully galvanized Passat, the Protection Plus package includes an outstanding limited corrosion warranty of 11 years with no mileage restrictions. In addition to the extensive warranties, Volkswagen dealers will perform all scheduled maintenance at no charge for two years or 24,000 miles. Two year, 24-hour roadside assistance is also provided.

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