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2004 Passat TDI: Not the Diesel You’re Used To
Take one part very competent, fairly priced European
sports Sedan. Add one part “Pumpe-Duse” technology, and
one part gasoline prices over $2.00 a gallon, and out comes a very
sensible alternative to the SUV mad, gas hungry society we live in—the
2004 Volkswagen Passat TDI.
Okay, so what the heck’s a “Pumpe-Duse?” It the
German word for unit injector – a very precise method of getting
diesel fuel into cylinders for a cleaner burn and more horsepower.
The injectors, four in all, are located at each cylinder. Pumpe Duse
technology creates a very high fuel pressure and better atomizes and
meters the fuel. In addition to more efficiency and power, this technology
results in quieter engine operation. Virtually gone is the diesel
“clatter” and stinky smoke that were hallmarks of previous
diesel engine technology. This new engine from VW is very high tech.
This 2.0 liter 4-cylinder achieves the highest fuel efficiency rating
of any midsized family car sold in the U.S.
How does this technology work in day to day driving? Well, if fuel
economy is your main priority. With EPA fuel economy ratings of 38
mpg highway and 27 mpg city, the Passat TDI can travel an astonishing
623 miles on a single tank of fuel, enough to travel from Detroit
to Washington, D.C. With seating for five adults and plenty of cargo
room (especially in the wagon), the Passat TDI should be considered
as a viable alternative to fuel hungry Sport Utility Vehicles.
 
 
The Passat is not the ticket though if you have a
need for speed. During the press launch for the Passat TDI, we drove
two Passats. The first was just plain slow. After lunch and the chance
to drive a second TDI, my opinion improved slightly. The second was
clearly faster than the first (but still too slow in my opinion),
which indicates that there may have been something wrong with the
first test model we drove. With just 134 horsepower and 247 pound-feet
of torque trying to move 3422 pounds of automobile, I think the Passat
TDI would benefit from a bump up in displacement, perhaps 2.5 to 3.0
liters. The resulting increase in torque and horsepower would make
it more competitive with the gasoline model Passats, which are fine
cars and highly recommended by AutomotiveRhythms.com. Handling is
also a mixed bag. Though equipped with a four-link suspension and
independent torsion beam rear axle suspension with coil springs, telescopic
shock absorbers, and front and rear stabilizer bars, the Passat’s
chassis feels a bit dated. Hard cornering on Virginia’s curvy
roads threw the Passat around and caused both me and my driving partner
to wonder if it’s time to totally redo the underpinnings in
this car. In fairness, the motions are predictable, and 90% of drivers
would never push their cars as hard as journalists do on press launches.
Modest acceleration and handling prowess aside, the Passat TDI is
all Passat – which means you’ll get the full luxury, safety
and comfort that you’ve come to expect from Volkswagen. The
list of standard equipment is staggering, and keeps VW as “pound
for pound” champs in terms of offering the most for your dollar
or Deutsche Marks. Standard equipment includes power, heated mirrors;
daytime running lights (DRLs); metallic paint; a full sized spare
tire; air conditioning; plenty of cupholders and storage space up
front; cruise control; a cool remote key system that allows you to
open or close the optional sunroof and all windows with the touch
of a button – an indispensable feature on hot days; chrome interior
accents; AM/FM/CD radio with eight speakers; tilt and telescoping
steering wheel; front and front side airbags; head protecting side
curtain airbags; a 12 year warranty against rust and corrosion; and
on and on and on. The list of features on the Passat TDI (and all
Passats) covers four pages of very small print! Very impressive.
In summary, the Passat TDI is a good car and a definite
buy. Coming in at a MSRP of $23,060 (sedan) and $24,060 (wagon), you
won’t find direct injection diesel technology anywhere close
to this price. If you don’t believe me, visit your local Mercedes
dealer to sample their very expensive direct injection E320 turbo
diesel.
Be sure to check out Road Test Editor Gary Joseph’s excellent
review of the torque monster Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI also on this
site.
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