VW introducing Passat Alltrack at Tokyo show
23 November 2011
Volkswagen will stage the world premiere of the new Passat Alltrack—a new wagon configuration that VW says closes the gap between the conventional Passat Estate and the Tiguan SUV—at the Tokyo Motor Show.
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| Passat Alltrack. Click to enlarge. |
Two turbocharged direct injection gasoline engines (TSI) with 118 kW (160 PS, 158 hp) and 155 kW (210 PS, 208 hp) and two turbodiesels (TDI) with 103 kW (140 PS, 138 hp) and 125 kW (170 PS, 168 hp) are available in the Passat Alltrack. The two most powerful Alltrack versions, the 170 PS TDI and the 210 PS TSI, have standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a dual clutch transmission (DSG). For the Passat Alltrack with a 140 PS TDI, Volkswagen will offer all-wheel drive as an option.
The 140 PS diesel version has a combined fuel consumption of 5.7 l/100 km (41.3 mpg US), equivalent to 150 g/km CO2, while fuel consumption for the 170 PS version is 5.8 l/100 km (40.6 mpg US), equivalent to 152 g/km CO2.
In comparison with the Passat Estate, the new model features new bumpers in SUV style with wheel well and side sill flares; greater off-road ramp angle, approach angle, departure angle; and higher ground clearance.
Market launch for the new Alltrack begins in early 2012.
But we will get this in the US? No, we will not. We don't even get a Passat Wagon or a Passat with all wheel drive.
For a while there I was hopeful that we would see some more fuel efficient family ski mobiles here, but lately all the wagons (Audi Allroad Quattro, Audi A6, VW Passat, BMW 5 Series, etc) seem to be disappearing and getting replaced with larger gas-guzzling SUVs. In many cases, to get all wheel drive (or just to get a non-sedan), you have to step up to a car with a larger engine or to an SUV, whereas in Europe, you can buy a wagon with all wheel drive and a four cylinder Diesel engine.
To me, what this says, is gas at $3.50 per gallon is still not high enough to make people change their long-term behavior. Because of this, we in the US are missing out on some of the coolest cars out there.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 23 November 2011 at 08:03 AM
Agreed Peter. The best policy would be to increase the gas tax $0.10/year for 10 years. One useful and less painful alternative would be to tax cars at first sale on weight. E.g., $5000 over 6,000 lbs, $3000 over 5000 lbs, $2000 over 4500 lbs, $1000 over 4000 lbs.
We really, really need to drive fuel efficient alternatives to SUVs that can carry 7-8 passengers. Those vehicles exist in Europe but are not brought here.
Posted by: Dollared | 23 November 2011 at 09:50 AM
It isn't like there aren't any other 4 x 4 wagon options here in the U.S. ....what's wrong with Subarus or Volvos?
Posted by: ejj | 23 November 2011 at 02:48 PM
They're gas guzzlers, that's what's wrong with them. Volvo is just another example of a car you can get in Europe with a more fuel efficient engine. The Subaru can be had with a four cylinder, but it's not exactly a gas sipper.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 23 November 2011 at 03:03 PM
The Subaru Forester is one of the cheapest 4 x 4 wagons (~$21k MSRP for the cheapest one), whose fuel economy probably isn't much worse than the VW wagon, which would no doubt have a starting US MSRP of $30k+. It would probably take decades to realize the savings of $9k+ worth of gas.
http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/index.html
Posted by: ejj | 23 November 2011 at 03:45 PM
No doubt that's true, ejj, but perhaps I'd just rather have the Volkswagen. It's no surprise that Volkswagens cost more money. I'm not necessarily looking for the most miles per gallon per dollar, just lamenting the fact that a car that I would consider very appealing, and very fuel efficient, is not available in the US at any price.
There's nothing wrong with the Subaru. I'd just like to see more choices in the category of fuel efficient all wheel drive wagons at any price.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 23 November 2011 at 05:22 PM
Personally, I think the VW is indisputably the best looking of the 4 X 4 wagons...better than Volvo, Subaru, et. al.
Posted by: ejj | 23 November 2011 at 06:51 PM