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Volkswagen Passat TDI
By Peter Bleakney
 With the number of diesel passenger cars sold in Europe approaching 50%, you've got to wonder, do they know something we don't?
Here, in North America, where gas is still relatively inexpensive, diesels barely register on the radar, saddled as they are with the tired old stigma of being noisy, slow and smelly. Volkswagen wants to change that. They'd like you to think torquey. clean and efficient when hearing the "D" word. And VW is putting its money where its mouth is. Every vehicle in its lineup (including the uber-luxurious Phaeton) will be available with diesel power.
Vokswagen has been the lonely champion of the diesel dogma here in North America for, well, decades it seems, pedalling the perrenial diesel Golfs and Jettas to the lunatic fringe. This latest flood of oil burners, however, proves the automaker is seriously committed to bringing this technology to North America.
And what's not to like? After piloting a 2004 Passat TDI for a week, the plusses of this latest generation of compression engine far outweigh the negatives.
The 2.0 litre turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine (a bored version of the Golf and Jetta's 1.9 litre TDI) puts out 134 hp at 4000 rpm and a substantial 247 lb/ft of twist at 1900 rpm, thanks in part to a variable-vane turbo. VW's new Pumpe Duse system incorporates camshaft driven injectors that spray fuel directly into the combustion chamber at incredibly high pressure. Claimed benefits are more power, fewer emissions and quieter operation
From the outside, the muted diesel clatter is still a bit of a giveaway, but inside, the only tell-tale sign of the Passat's alternate power source is a slight vibration at idle.
A firm shove on the throttle and the TDI moves out smartly. With a 4700 rpm redline, you could never call this car sporting, but the engine works in concert with the standard 5-speed Tiptronic in a refined manner. And that whack of torque is always on hand to propel you forward.
No manual transmission is available in the TDI, which is a shame for those of us who would like to stir our own gears and extract a few more kilometers per litre.
 All the other fine Passat attributes are present - formost of which would be the interior. My tester had the optional $1800 leather package (in tan) which gave the car a bright, airy feel inside. The seats (with manual lumbar adjustment) are first rate. The materials and build quality create an ambience that welcomes you everytime you slide behind the wheel. Although the interior is not flashy, it is timeless in its flawless execution. The leather multi-function wheel (part of the leather package) feels great in your hands. All the controls work with fluid precision.
Standard is a handy multi-function trip computer (outside temperature, average speed, distance and elapsed time, plus average and instant fuel consumption) and a decent sound system. The climate control is the tried-and-true rotary knob variety. Simple but effective.
Front and side airbags are standard, and new for 2005 are four standard side-curtain airbages. Factor in the express up and down windows and keyless remote with alarm and immobilizer, and you have a well equipped family hauler.
My kids especially appreciated all the leg room in the back.
The Passat TDI is a highway champion, with the tach indicating a lazy 2300 rpm at 120 kph. As I said, you'd never mistake this for a sports sedan, but that's not the TDI's mission statement. The ride is tuned on the comfy side (no bad thing) and VW's trademark steering feel keeps you connected to the proceedings at all times. Start pushing, however, and the skinny 15 inch Continental Eco tires roll over and play dead in a big hurry.
 For 2005, VW has fitted 16 inchers, which should bring the Passat TDI back from the perilous brink of Buick-land. (All the chrome slathered on the Passat of late doesn't help in this department either.)
But really, the major motivating factor in purchasing the Passat TDI is economics, so lets see how it fares.
Over a week of mixed city and highway driving, the TDI sipped only 6.3 litres per 100 km of diesel fuel. Pretty impressive for a well equipped five passenger sedan with a slush box. At $32,090, the Passat TDI carries a $500 premium over the base 1.8T Passat, but if you do alot of driving, that could be recouped within a year.
ESP (electronic stability program) will set you back $500, and the Luxury Package (sunroof and 16" alloys) could be considered a necessity for those who just can't do cheapo hub caps on steel wheels. Ouch.
A wagon version of the Passat TDI can be had for an additional $1400, which gets my vote for the most sensible family vehicle extant.
Some might question Volkswagen's wisdom in its North American push for diesels at this time. New emmision standards slated for 2007 will be tough to meet. As it is, the VW diesels don't comply with the stringent California regulations.
 The issues with particulates (soot) and NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions could prove challenging, but the mandated low-sulphur fuel for 2007 will allow for particulate filters and NOx reducing catalytic converters, which should keep diesels in the game.
I, for one, am a big fan of the Passat TDI. Sure, it doesn't inspire you to drive like Juan Fangio, but if you thrill to keeping the needle pinned on the fuel gauge instead of the tach, this could be your ride.
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