I am in Langkawi to try out the new B8 Volkswagen Passat. It is set to be launched here on the 16th of November. Prices have not been mentioned as yet but it will be given the EEV tax break which would make the 1.8 variants cheaper than the B7 Passat.
Three variants - the 1.8 trendline, 1.8 comfortline and the 2.0 highline. The 1.8 gets a reworked 1.8 tsi with a reworked dry clutch DSG. The 2.0 tsi gets the latest tsi engine and Wet clutch DSG like the MK7 Golf GTI.
Drove the 1.8 comfortline today ( the black car herein) and it seem much improved over the previous model. Equipment levels are decent but the 2.0 gets the most toys (18inch wheels over 17s, an integrated rear bumper/ exhaust setup, tft screen for the instrument cluster, ala Audi, and more stuff).
Initial impressions that I can tell in this short article before I really sit down and start one of my long reviews is that the DSG is so much smoother than the earlier Passat and that the handling is better. The car is fluid and the front and rear is morw cohesive. Even with balloon 17inch 55 series comfort tyres the car is very predictable through the corners on the roads around Gunung Raya Langkawi. Even when the rear breaks traction it feels forgiving. Much more predictable than before. The only thing that I felt a little off was the slightly intrusive tyre noise over different road conditions. I think it may need a tyre which is less suceptible to road surface conditions.
Stay tuned for a review sometime before the official launch this 16th. And yes, the interior looks better too. Everything is slightly better.
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