Automologist ATHERTON takes the VW Passat R-Line for a week-long test run.
The Volkswagen Passat R-Line is a car that you can describe with many words, but “sublime” is the one word that I find most appropriate. It has that sleek and elegant look – a head-turner. The test car I had for a week was a gorgeous Aquamarine Blue and I must say that it was a great drive throughout.
The R-Line badge is found on the front grille and sides, as well as on the steering wheel and seats. It gets sports bumpers at the front and rear, a LED headlight system and LED DRLs with dynamic indicators. The car sits on 19” Verona alloy wheels.
Convenience starts with the keyless entry. Inside, all seats come wrapped in Nappa Carbon leather – comfortable and supple. The front seats are 14-way ErgoComfort seats while the driver’s seat comes with massage and memory function. Nice. The start/stop button is on the driver’s left, near the gear console. The multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in leather and it comes with shift paddles too.
There is an electric sunshade for the rear window and manual ones for the rear side windows. But I still think you’ll need to tint the car in our hot and sunny Malaysian weather.
Even though the car looks classy, you know that under the hood, it is beefed up compared to its sibling, the Passat Elegance. The engine is a 2.0-turbocharged mill producing 220PS and 350Nm of torque between 1,500-4,400rpm and paired to a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Because torque starts at just 1,500 rpm, you are always eager to gun the throttle and the car obliges instantaneously. It’s like a drug.
There are the Comfort, Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual driving modes – the Comfort and Sport modes are good enough for me. As we were driving on a long stretch of highway, my colleague remarked that in this car, you don’t feel fatigued after a long drive simply because it’s so darned comfortable.
The Discover Pro infotainment system combines navigation and connectivity on a 9.2” touchscreen colour display. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are standard and come with voice control too. There are three Type C USBs: two in the front and one in the centre console. It makes your daily commute all the more convenient.
Additionally, the R-Line comes with DCC Dynamic Chasis Control, DMS Dynamic Mode Selection and XDS- Electronic Differential Lock. The XDS is designed to maximise road holding and improve responses, especially during cornering.
You also get a 700-watt Harman Kardon sound system with 12 speakers with four sound modes – Pure, Chill Out, Live and Energy. Sounds are crisp and sharp.
If your hands are full after a visit to the grocery store, the ‘Easy Open’ tailgate just needs foot movement below the rear of the car to activate. Easy-peasy. Boot space is 596 litres.
Safety-wise, you get a host of features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Proactive Occupant Protection System (prepares the car and its occupants should it detect an emergency manoeuvre), 6 airbags, Rest Assist, ISOFIX points, ESC, ABS and others
With 3 years Free Maintenance, 5 years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, 5 years Roadside Assistance, 15,000km service interval and getting 900km on a single full fuel tank, as claimed by the carmaker, what more could you ask for? It can be yours for RM212,938.88 excluding insurance. Interested?
