2001.5 Volkswagen "New" Passat Sedan

What do you call a midsize car that exudes sheer excellence all around? You could easily call it "Passat"—one of the smoothest-riding, most-refined and comfortable automobiles of its class on the road today.

Most of Passat's major refinements are under its skin. Roof and doors carry over, but all other body panels are new. This top-of-the-line GLX V6 has 4Motion, VW's full-time all-wheel-drive system.

Volkswagen redesigned its biggest four-door sedan and station wagon in mid-season, putting them on sale in February 2001 as the New Passat, hoping to add some zip to the midsize segment. "In the past, the midsize category has been somewhat boring," said Stefan Krebsfanger, Volkswagen's manager of product strategy. With a history in the U.S. dating back to 1990—last redesigned for 1998—the Passat initiated a notion of what Frank Maguire, vice president of sales and marketing, calls "family-size cars with attitude and flair."


Although the New Passat boasts 2,300 changes, many are subtle. Styling revisions are also mild, more a matter of refinement than dramatic modification, down to such conveniences as improved cupholders. Dimensions, too, have changed little. Following the trend toward stiffer body construction, torsional rigidity of the New Passat grew by 10 percent. Except for the roof and doors, all body panels are new. Exhibiting a more integrated look, the Passat's grille is more sharply raked than before. Chrome accents were added to window surrounds and side strips.

In addition to standard dual-front airbags, every 2001.5 and 2002 Passat comes with side-curtain head protectors.

Three versions are available. The 1.8T holds a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, boosted from 150 to 170 horsepower. Beneath the V-6 hood is a 190-horsepower, 2.8-liter V-6 with five valves per cylinder and variable intake valve timing. Topping the line is the 2.8-powered GLX, which includes leather upholstery, a power sunroof, walnut wood trim and an eight-speaker Monsoon sound system. Both engines prefer premium fuel.


A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, and the optional four-speed automatic transmission incorporates Tiptronic for manually selected gear changes. Passats with the V-6 engine can be equipped with 4Motion, which is Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system. Six standard airbags include side-curtain head protection. To help prevent thefts, the New Passat is fitted with an Immobilizer II system.