New 2016 Volkswagen Passat B8

2015 European Car of The Year
OVERALL WINNER

Will this be the same trend wind that swept across tropical Malaysia some years ago?

Rising KNIGHT

Words and Photography by Bobby Ang

hen the Volkswagen Passat B7 arrived half a de‍‍‍cade ago, it's likewise its name that was christened from the trend winds that blow across the equatorial regions, sweeping up sales like no one's business. It was a new formula back then, a car that's built, branded, positioned as one of the premium sports sedan segment, but priced like that of an Asian D segment. It's a very fresh proposition, especially one where the 3 series, C-Class and A4 were priced at least RM80k away. Moreover, the Passat B7 was larger, almost like an A4 long wheel base to say the least.

As the poster boy that offers German premium brand products with Japanese car pricing, Volkswagen was suddenly under everybody's radar. And sales figures were increasing by triple figure percentage points year on year. Just as it seems there's no stopping this juggernaut, the immense triple digit sales growth came with repercussions. Likewise the long queues in McDonald's. If you're lining up to order, you feel just fine to wait, because you're hungry, and they have food. But after you placed your order and paid, you suddenly have a lot less patience queueing in the 'collection line'. Why? Because the situation has changed from "I am hungry, you have food." to "I paid you money, where's my food?". Of course this situation can be managed by a front counter staff that syncs their speed perfectly fine with the kitchen's, then it will simply mean "Wow, it's crowded today" OR "Wow, great food quality, hence the queue". Not so, when your McDonald's (Volkswagen) front counter staff relies on every order to get their commission.

Just as VW was experiencing a sudden influx of customers that their servicing bays have trouble to cater for scheduled servicing, rendering customers having to scramble for service appointments in order to keep their warranty T&Cs in check; the mechatronic issue in those with the 7-speed dry clutch blew up. Now on one hand you have a bunch of customers frantically wanting to get their cars serviced before the mandated servicing mileage to keep their warranty, on the other hand there're more and more customers who are requesting for unscheduled servicing stemming from their mechatronics acting up.

We all know how things end up in the end, especially after a group of VW owners rallied in front of Wisma VW. Everyone was eager to raise their pitch forks to take a jab at this poster boy, and the PR maelstrom and daily digital freak outs from uninformed owners blowing everything out of proportion. I even saw a facebook post where a guy measures the distance from his left rim cap to the top of his wheel arch and compared both sides, claiming his VW's body has deformed slightly - completely putting aside the fact that his driveway might not be absolutely level. And what these daily musings of owners actually cause? The spread of fear, and the subsequent tanking of market value for their cars - which they blamed VW for it. Well one can't deny the fact that VW has something to do with it - since we're already in the phase of "I paid my money, where's my delicious food?". But it's the fear from these owners who wanted to dispose their cars off as quickly as possible that's driving down the market value. I mean, if you panic-sell your car at RM70k, of course the market value will drop to RM70k, right?

Long story short, I cannot possibly talk about the future without touching the past of this enigmatic brand's unfortunate turn of events in Malaysia. But there's one thing that I can say, is that Volkswagen did not build this empire from making bad cars. And they have been making some of the best cars throughout the brand's history, and contributed along the growth of this industry for the most part of their existence. Ever since Ferdinand Porsche founded Volkswagen, it remained one of the most respected car company in the world, and has stayed at the forefront of technology and progress of this industry.

Now back to the Passat B8, will it create the same effect of car buyers flocking to VW showrooms? To be completely honest, it will be an uphill task for the current management given current circumstances of an economy that took a nosedive, the stigma from recent events and the crazy discounts that are on-going in the premium sector currently will not be favourable conditions for the arrival of the Passat B8.

On the move, one can notice the interior fittings are up to VW standards, but weirdly in-car storage takes a nose dive with the much smaller cubby spaces in the centre console than the B7, a smaller frontal arm rest compartment, and the choice of a Skoda rear arm rest with just two holes instead of the high quality Audi A4 rear arm rest that used to be fitted in the B7. Weirdly, the more you pay attention to the interior design, the more you find that the old B7's interior being 'prettier' and easier on the eye. Design language it is, but the mismatch convolution of lines that runs across the cabin certainly isn't one where the right brain can immediately store it in the cortex region that associates it with 'thing of beauty' - the same can be said with the new Audi A4's interior. Well built, well appointed and excellent fit and finish, but attractive it is not. Still, quality wise there's nothing to complain about, given that we have the horrible Jaguar XE interior to benchmark against - but don't give too big of a pat to the back just yet, as the Mazda 6's interior is just as good, and in terms of fit and finish, the new Sonata is a class act as well.

To conclude, the new Passat B8 is a very well packaged, well specced, well positioned alternative to buyers that are looking at top range D segments and base spec German premium trios. From a holistic manner, (and I have to rule out the based spec Passat that's priced at RM159k) the new Passat B8 is certainly a premium car through and through. With the styling, interior room, specifications and handling to challenge the premium trios. Pitting it forcefully against the likes of top rung Accord and Camrys, the Passat has a more German premium car demeanour than any of them, but not the comfort levels and the vast interior room they have. It should be very difficult to make a dent to the sales of Japanese D segment buyers, but it's definitely a challenge to the 3, A4 and C. However, the first car that rings to mind that the Passat B8 will knock it off its socks, is the new Audi A4. Even though brand hierarchy means it's intentionally built to be slightly less pretty than the A4, slightly more wind noise than the A4, and slightly less well built than the A4, but it's specced so much better than the A4 and carries a much lower selling price. Yes the Audi has a more premium badge, but over here in Malaysia, Audi's brand positioning against that of Volkswagen's isn't exactly the case of Bangsar and Brickfields, but more like Bangsar South and Brickfields.

It's a very compelling car, but Volkswagen Malaysia is in a unique position where they have great products that many potential customers wanted to try and invest into - but are afraid to do so due to past events. Yes, they've fixed all technical issues and the new management under Porsche Holdings should herald in fundamental changes, but what remains is for the results to speak for themselves. And if the Passat B8 is a precursor for things to come, I for one am very glad to see just how sincere VW is in the specifications packaging and pricing of this new car. However, this alone is not enough, VW has to come up with their own in-house pre-owned programme to control the outflow of used cars and to protect its used car value to create a sustainable eco-system between principal, dealer, buyer, seller and future owners. In short, however great Volkswagen's vehicles are, they need to work twice as hard as others to move it off the lot for the next few years or so.

Volkswagen Passat B8 2.0 TSI Highline
Engine L4, 2000cc, turbo
Power 220hp
Torque 350Nm
Transmission Six speed dual clutch (wet) with XDS electronic differential locking and torque vectoring
Front suspension MacPherson struts
Rear suspension multi-link
Brakes ventilated discs (front) solid discs (rear)
Basic price RM160k - RM200k‍‍‍

So what has been updated this time around? First of all, it's finally an all-new Passat after almost 10 years. This is because the Passat B7 is actually a heavily updated Passat B6, likewise the Golf MK6 is actually a heavily updated MK5; and the same case with sister brand's Audi A4 B6 revision to the B7 a decade ago. As one of VW's oldest nameplate, it also ages like fine wine, and every generation just got better and better.

The new Passat B8 is built on Volkswagen's modular MQB platform, which means it has inherited the wonderful handling characteristics of the Golf MK7, and being able to fit a slew of new technology that Volkswagen has developed in recent years. Measuring slightly longer and significantly wider, the new Passat has a more purposeful stance in person. Gone are the long, narrow and tall profile of the B7, and in comes a rather balanced proportion that's low slung and wide where it could've been easily mistaken for the Volkswagen CC (known as Passat CC back then). The wide stance gives the car a squatting appearance that inches closer to the likes of the German Premium Sports Sedan segment, placing the new Passat closer to that of the A4, 3-Series, C-Class; than the Camry, Accord and Teana. And amongst Volkswagen's new line up that features the updated corporate family look, the Passat seems to wear it the best whereas occupying the other end of the spectrum would perhaps be the all new Tiguan.

Can Volkswagen Malaysia recreate the sparkle it needs for the all new Passat? Put it this way, the all conquering MMA poster girl Ronda Rousey suffered a humiliating defeat as well. Not just any, but it was her very first defeat, one where she was knocked out cold, yet that doesn't mean she is no longer one of the best fighters to have graced the rings (or TV). In fact, being put down like a dead turkey as your only defeat will only mean one thing - since lessons come from mishaps thus let it be a major one - and let it be one that you will remember and improve upon.

As much as the flamboyant front attracts plenty attention, the same couldn't be said for the rear. What started off as a refreshing design from the front quickly fizzes out as a generic bland rear. And we all know it's the aftertaste that defines great wine. The way the rear was seemingly designed in between tea time and rush hours is evident here. There's little to write home about and in certain ways is a bit disappointing as there are no visible improvements over the B7. And it's not as if the B7 has achieved design perfection to say the least.

If there is an in-car sound recorder that activates every time the doors are opened and someone sat inside, the word that won't exist in the playback would be 'wow!'. It's not a stunning looking interior in anyway, but it is a decently designed, very well built and ergonomic interior. There's an evident theme that runs throughout all VW products now, in that they seem to be purposely designed to not be as flamboyant that they might outshine Audi. A product hierarchical order from Ferdinand Piech half a decade ago, but we're not sure why is it still being practised since his ouster. It is alright to practice brand positioning within the same group, but car makers must never lose sight on the competition while doing so. Yes the Passat B8's interior has all the traditional hallmarks of a quality VW interior, but it is no longer 2011, where the Passat was safely protected from Japanese D-segments with uninspiring handling, ride and interior fit and finish, and about RM80k away from the German premium trios with much more brand panache.

Today, the Passat B8 is grossly outsized by the Japanese D-segments, and the intense competition between Honda and Toyota has improved both Camry and Accord leaps and bounds in terms of interior build, high speed tractability, and outright comfort. The deadly fight battle between Mercedes-Benz and BMW also resulted in intense price cutting with pre-reg sales, future guaranteed value, throwing in of accessories and unprecedented deals all going on at the same time. What this means, is that the blue ocean lagoon that the Passat used to party in, is now being swamped by the tides of red current that are crashing in. It used to be way nicer to drive than any Japanese executive cars that are similarly priced, while being way cheaper to buy than any German sports executive cars that are similar in handling dynamics and build quality. But now, there are Japanese D segments that handle and ride better, and there aren't any German sports exec that are significantly smaller than the Passat. So in this respect, what did Volkswagen equip the Passat B8 with, to make it stand out?

Full safety features aside, the Passat B8 has been given Volkswagen's new full LCD digital instrument cluster. Likewise Audi's virtual cockpit, Volkswagen's digital cluster enables various information to be beautifully presented. Next up, it is also the only car in its class to come with power tailgate along with a host of premium features such as full LED headlights and automatic parking assist to name a few. What sets it apart from the usual D-segments that it's priced against, is that the top spec Highline is essentially a Golf GTI sedan. With the powerful 220hp and 350Nm engine and the fame 6 speed DSG along with adaptive dampers and torque vectoring, the Passat B8 is specced to the brim if you purchase the Highline.

Paper talk is only worth as much as what's printed, how does it really drive is what matters. On the move, it carries with it the agile mannerism that of the Golf GTI, directional changes are eager and well composed, sound insulation is acceptable even if there's a feeling that they intentionally made it slightly noisier than the class leading Audi A4's NVH qualities - to prevent family feud perhaps. The engine pulls strong and the transmission ever so eager to react within milliseconds, fuel consumption is great as well should you keep those testosterones in check. What's immediately noticeable, is the 2.0 Highline rides on the firm side, although it's fitted with 18" wheels, but at this time and age, for premium segments, 18" should be the entry level wheel size, and can no longer be use as an excuse to not deliver absolute ride pliancy. It's not a bad ride, but definitely not up to the standards of the Golf MK7 or the Jetta's fluid composure in negotiating our badly paved roads.

Next up, is marketing, where all around the world, Volkswagen is pretty much known as one of the company that always churn out the best ads over the years. I can still remember how VW Malaysia conquered our market back then. Most of the communications we see revolves around the Golf GTI, Passat CC, Touareg, Golf Rs etc. And then superlatives such as 'Turbo', 'Fast', 'Power' were reserved for use on these top rung models. What this does is that it makes the average Joe aspire to own one of these. And if his pay check doesn't allow him to, he or she resides on one of the 'lesser' models, the Golf TSI, Jetta or Polo. It's important to sustain the aspirational values of the brand, even if the new Vento is 'the only turbocharged car in its class' the communication should still remain within the high performance Veedubs - the ones that make people buy the Vento.

After all, car buying is very much a psychological game. For if not, everyone will just buy a Proton or Perodua. Why bother with high quality interiors or XDS electronic limited slip differentials right?