First Test Drive: The 2012 VW Passat TDI and 43 MPG

The Diesel Driver reports from the new VW factory on the Passat TDI and drives a TDI from Chattanooga to Nashville.

"Earlier this week, I drove the TDI from the factory in Chattanooga to Nashville, a 173 mile (278 km) drive that took a little less than four hours with a stop in Lynchburg to sample some Jack Daniels ice cream and brownies.

The V-6 turbo diesel is the same found in other VW TDI models and it was smooth and responsive. The 236 pound-feet of torque made for quick acceleration and allowed us to easily overtake slower moving traffic (of which there was a lot, mostly in the left lane) on Tennessee’s highways. The DSG transmission was responsive and answered quickly to kickdown requests."
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atc98092 - 6/10/2011 8:32:05 AM

+1 Boost

The actual article says "The inline-four turbo diesel is the same..." Either the poster copied it wrong, or TDD fixed the article. Hard to say which.

I'm very interested to see this car in person. Style is of course very subjective, but I'm liking it. Especially since it hasn't been de-contented like the Jetta.

atc98092 - 6/10/2011 8:46:43 AM

+1 Boost

Just read on TDICLUB that the original article said V6, but has already been edited. So, error wasn't Autospies. Now if they'd just edit it here as fast as The Diesel Driver did :)

Eheath - 6/10/2011 9:55:46 AM

+1 Boost

As a former editor, I know that lots of errors creep in during editing and fact checking. The acid test is whether they are corrected so TDD passed the test!

knowitall1985 - 6/10/2011 3:17:04 PM

-1 Boost

I would rather the HS250h gets better combined mileage...... and no oil burning...

Willis - 6/10/2011 9:02:27 PM

-1 Boost

The Toyota Avensis HS250h? Go and drive that hideous ugly thing. I'd rather be seen in a spacious, comfortable and good-looking Passat that drives nicely and still gets good gas mileage.

knowitall1985 - 6/10/2011 5:38:08 PM

+1 Boost

Girls with big N**s

knowitall1985 - 6/20/2011 4:08:31 PM

+1 Boost

VW breaks all the time....no thanks.....vw=pos

pricus - 6/10/2011 9:34:25 PM

+2 Boost

Chattanooga to Nashville is 110 miles and should take no more than 2 hours. The editor of this article must have had more than a sample at the bourbon place