Especificaciones y análisis del Volkswagen Passat
Power
150HP
Torque
310Nm
Consumption
8.3l/100
Emissions
-g/km
0-100 km/h
10.8s
Top Speed
208km/h
Weight
1519kg
Price
32,797€
Technical summary
Gasóleo
Automático 5v
FWD
5 / 5 doors
495 L
62 L
110 kW
Current
Technical specifications
Engine
Capacities
Detailed analysis of the Volkswagen Passat Variant Highline 2.5 TDI tiptronic · 150 CV (1997-2000)
General description
The 1996 Volkswagen Passat Variant Highline 2.5 TDI tiptronic is a car that evokes an era of solidity and reliability. This station wagon, with its 150 hp diesel engine and automatic transmission, promised long and comfortable journeys, ideal for those seeking a robust and spacious road companion. Its presence in the market marked a milestone for Volkswagen, offering a combination of discreet luxury and practicality that few could match in its segment.
Driving experience
Behind the wheel of this Passat, the feeling is one of composure and safety. The 2.5 TDI engine, with its 150 hp and 310 Nm of torque from low revolutions, offers a powerful and progressive response, ideal for confident overtaking or effortlessly maintaining high-speed cruising. The 5-speed tiptronic gearbox, although not the fastest today, provides smooth transitions and a relaxed driving experience. The suspension, with a deformable parallelogram at the front and a trailing arm with a torsional element at the rear, filters out road irregularities well, ensuring remarkable comfort for all occupants. It's a car that invites you to devour miles, with precise steering that inspires confidence and ventilated disc brakes at the front and solid discs at the rear that perform their function competently.
Design and aesthetics
The design of the 1996 Passat Variant is a reflection of German sobriety and functionality. Its lines are clean and timeless, without fanfare, but with an inherent elegance that is still appreciated today. The station wagon body, or Variant, maximizes interior space and cargo capacity, with a 495-liter trunk that makes it a perfect ally for families or those who need to transport a lot of luggage. The Highline details, though subtle, add a touch of distinction, with finishes that enhance the perceived quality of the whole. It is a design that prioritizes utility and durability over fleeting fashions.
Technology and features
In its time, the Passat Variant 2.5 TDI tiptronic incorporated advanced technology for its segment. The direct injection diesel engine with variable geometry turbo and intercooler was a benchmark in efficiency and performance. The tiptronic transmission offered the convenience of an automatic with the possibility of sequential manual control, something innovative for the time. Although today its infotainment and driving assistance systems may seem basic, in 1996 it represented a standard of comfort and safety. The construction with an iron block and aluminum cylinder head in the engine, along with a well-resolved suspension, demonstrated a commitment to robust and durable engineering.
Competition
In the competitive premium station wagon market of the 1990s, the Volkswagen Passat Variant faced tough rivals. Models such as the Audi A4 Avant, the BMW 3 Series Touring, or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate offered alternatives with a similar focus on quality and performance. Other competitors such as the Opel Vectra Caravan or the Ford Mondeo Wagon also fought for their market share, although the Passat stood out for its balance between luxury, space, and Volkswagen's reputation for reliability. Its 2.5 TDI engine gave it an advantage in performance and efficiency over many of its contemporaries.
Conclusion
The 1996 Volkswagen Passat Variant Highline 2.5 TDI tiptronic is more than a car; it is a testament to an era when German engineering sought perfection in functionality and durability. It offers a serene and powerful driving experience, a timeless design, and generous interior space that make it a modern classic. It is a vehicle that, despite the years, continues to convey a sense of solidity and confidence, a faithful companion for any journey. Its legacy endures as an example of how a family car can be practical, elegant, and rewarding to drive.