I Took a Brand new top of the range Passat out for a ride today and I just though I'd pretend to be Jeremy Clarkson and give you a mini road test:D

First the Electronic handbrake and "Key Fob" Ignition where both total pains in the backside, with the brake having to be depressed to release the handbrake and the clutch having to be depressed to start the engine. The only gimmick I like is the way the drivers seat can be electronically moulded to your back, and it worked well.

On The Road, about the same as the Octavia for refinement (I know they are in different classes and shouldnt be compared) but theres a bit less wind and road noise at speed. The 2.0TDI Engine was as quiet and as smooth as my petrol Octavia and I was really suprised by that.

Performance was a huge dissapointment If I am honest:thumbdwn:

I hear everyone on here talking about the power of turbo diesels, but it felt no faster than my 1.6 Octavia, which has 40 less BHP. It had loads of In gear acceleration and would definatley be faster than my Octy on the motorway. Around town though, I wasnt impressed.

I also had my first go in a car with ESP, I liked it quite alot. It's cornering is nothing less or more than the Octavia. It made a hell of alot of tyre noise:D, they also do well at jumps:O

Overall, I would rather have had a top of the range Octavia L&K or wait to see what the next gen superb is like.

Electronic handbrake is on its way for the Octavia, shouldn't think the key fob will be far behind.

Its all filtering down from Audi, keyless entry and electonic steering lock will be next.

I Took a Brand new top of the range Passat out for a ride today and I just though I'd pretend to be Jeremy Clarkson and give you a mini road test:D

First the Electronic handbrake and "Key Fob" Ignition where both total pains in the backside, with the brake having to be depressed to release the handbrake and the clutch having to be depressed to start the engine. The only gimmick I like is the way the drivers seat can be electronically moulded to your back, and it worked well.

I've had my new Passat for 10 days now and am getting accustomed to its quirks and gimmicks.

The key fob ignition I actually quite like. It's easy to use, and does mean you can never accidentally start the car when in gear.

The parking brake takes a bit more getting used to, but I've now stopped reaching to the left

You only have to depress the footbrake to release the handbrake if you don't have your seatbelt on. This caught me out a few times when initially being cautious when parking:

- Stop car

- Get out. B****r! What a girl! Need to move forward

- Start up and rev away looking stupid because handbrake won't release

Clunk-click and all is fine

The electronic brake works best when combined with the auto-hold option - standard on autos and a

I've had my new Passat for 10 days now and am getting accustomed to its quirks and gimmicks.

The key fob ignition I actually quite like. It's easy to use, and does mean you can never accidentally start the car when in gear.

The parking brake takes a bit more getting used to, but I've now stopped reaching to the left

You only have to depress the footbrake to release the handbrake if you don't have your seatbelt on. This caught me out a few times when initially being cautious when parking:

- Stop car

- Get out. B****r! What a girl! Need to move forward

- Start up and rev away looking stupid because handbrake won't release

Clunk-click and all is fine

The electronic brake works best when combined with the auto-hold option - standard on autos and a

Try hitting the handbrake button whilst in motion

Try hitting the handbrake button whilst in motion

With ESP off, presumably?

Chris

PMSL.

I demo'd a 2.0PD Passat Sport a while back - wish I'd tried that now!

(I liked it btw, except the pointless suspension)

PMSL.

I demo'd a 2.0PD Passat Sport a while back - wish I'd tried that now!

(I liked it btw, except the pointless suspension)

Care to elaborate?

Zooty (2.0TDI Sport owner )

With ESP off, presumably?

Chris

Doesnt matter.

Engages Emergency Stop function.

I wonder how many Passat drivers have tried that out at inappropriate speeds...

I would.