Volkswagen Passat 206TSI first drive review

They claim it is the successor to the revered R36 but does this turbocharged machine live up to the hype?

September 28 2016

Andrew MacLean

Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon Photo: Supplied
Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon Photo: Supplied
Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon Photo: Supplied
Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon Photo: Supplied
Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon Photo: Supplied

Numbers don't lie. But they don't tell the whole truth either.

Volkswagen is touting its upcoming flagship Passat, the 206TSI that is due to arrive in local showrooms from November, as the spiritual successor to the revered R36 variant that was offered in the fifth generation and missed ever since it disappeared in 2011.

On paper, there is nothing to suggest the 206TSI wouldn't live up to that promise as it is marginally faster than the R36 ever was even if it has slightly less power. But it has a more advanced all-wheel drive transmission, is more efficient and is loaded with technologies that were pipe-dream stuff back when the R36 was created.

Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon Photo: Supplied

At $57,990 (plus on-road costs) for the sedan and $59,990 (plus on-roads) for the wagon, it is undeniably better value too, as the R36 cost $65,000 when it was introduced in 2008.

The 206TSI essentially shares the mechanical configuration with the range-topping - and more affordable - Skoda Superb that has been on sale for a few months now. That means it is also powered by same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that lives in the nose of the Golf R hot hatch, producing 206kW at 6500rpm and 350Nm of torque on a band of revs between 1700-5600rpm.

Like the Skoda and Golf R it has a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox transferring power to all four wheels by a part-time Haldex system.

The end result is it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds in sedan form and 0.2 seconds slower as a wagon all the while consuming a claimed average of 7.1L/100km.

Beyond the oily bits, the Passat will come standard in the top-spec Highline trim that includes leather interior trim, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen multimedia system with sat nav, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring.

But it also picks up a host of unique features, such as a sportier R-Line body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, full LED headlights and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display.

From a safety perspective, both the sedan and wagon have seven airbags and a comprehensive suite of electronic driver aids including radar cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane departure and blind zone warnings and a 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors and automated parking assistance.

It all sounds pretty impressive, and it is. But, having sampled a similar-specced 206TSI wagon in Europe this week, it isn't quite the successor to the R36 as Volkswagen make it out to be.

For starters, it's not actually designed to be a dedicated performance variant with the DNA of something wearing - or deserving - the R badge, so it lacks the kind of hard-edged focus, not to forget the rorty exhaust note, from the narrow angle 3.6-litre V6 that really set the R36 apart from the rest of the Passat range.

It also doesn't have the warbling digitally-enhanced soundtrack of the Golf R under acceleration or the burps between flat-out gearshifts and the gargling of fuel on the over run when you back off the gas.

Instead, it amplifies all the best attributes of the existing Passat models to create a well-rounded, generously-equipped, affordable luxury sedan - or wagon.

The engine is smooth and effortless with a good serve of mid-range pulling power, but it doesn't feel as feisty in the Passat as it does in the Golf R due to the extra 300-odd kilos it has to pull around.

And it works well with the six-speed transmission, which shifts seamlessly when on the move but can still be a bit hesitant moving away from a standstill.

As for how it drives, we'll have to reserve judgement until we drive the full Australian-spec models on local soil as the car we sampled on stretches of autobahn out of Munich and a few twisty roads into Zurich this week was a basic Highline model running on 18-inch wheels and tyres and without the adaptive suspension. Needless to say, it might have a bit more depth of character with the grippier tyres and multi-mode dampers, but even in Highline trim the Passat is still both a comfortable cruiser and capable corner carver.

It is also well screwed together with a genuine premium feel about the cabin thanks to the use of top-quality materials, the high-tech look of the digital dash and its easy-to-navigate multimedia system. There's also heaps of space too, with plenty of adjustment for those in the front, enough leg and head room for two adults to travel comfortably in the back and a cavernous cargo-carrying capacity - particularly in wagon form.

All in all, the flagship Passat is an impressive luxury sedan alternative that offers more for less than the entry-level junior executive sedans from BMW, Mercedes and Audi. What it's not is a heart-warming sports sedan in the same way the R36 was.