Hinrich Woebcken, Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO, served as the keynote speaker to a gathering of 900 business, civic and automotive leaders during a Chicago Auto Show preview luncheon last month hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago.
The speech touched upon crisis management, a theme Europe's largest automaker found itself embroiled within as a result of what Woebcken politely framed as 'diesel engine testing irregularities.'
Woebcken joined Volkswagen in April of 2016; some seven months after news broke concerning roughly 500,000 VW vehicles sold in the U.S. from 2010 to 2015. The vehicles in question boasted four-cylinder, TDI engines combining refreshingly high mileage and impressively low diesel emissions, a technological marvel, it turned out, too good to be true.
Deceptively effective onboard software programing helped mask particulate pollutant output, releasing higher levels of Nitrogen Oxide emissions than what's permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
While spending much of his formative educational years in Europe, Woebcken credits time spent in upstate New York in the late 1970s as a high school exchange student with providing an insight into America's tapestry, an invaluable asset during a very short time frame handed him to plot and execute a VW action plan covering Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
"I lived with a great American Family. I even went to the senior prom and had a strong connectivity to this country," Woebcken said. In his eyes, too many European executives lack this insightful perspective.
Woebcken discussed some of Volkswagen's strategic initiatives to rebound from two years of tepid U.S. sales and a dip of public confidence courtesy of 'testing irregularities.'
"We wanted our core products perceived as a safe choice. In America, buying a volume car is weighted greatly upon two questions: Is it a reliable car and is the total cost of ownership good, "Woebcken added.
Woebcken helped shepherd forward a six-year/72,000-mile "People First" warranty, covering 2018 Volkswagens sold in America. People First is a bumper-to-bumper, limited warranty including the powertrain, transmission and mechanical parts. Volkswagen's coverage is double what many rivals offer (traditionally three-years/36,000-miles).
It's also transferable to the next owner during the coverage period. Not every warranty offers this no-cost transfer freedom. The "People First" theme also plays off the Volkswagen name, which translates from German as the "People's Car."
The Passat, this week's tester, largely skirted skullduggery as diesel engines in question powered compact-sized models sold in the U.S. including Golfs, Jettas and Beetles.
Passat debuted in the U.S. back in the mid 1970's, about the same time Woebcken found himself in upstate New York. The 2018 edition is based off a sixth-generation redo launched in the 2012 model year. The 2012 Passat served as an ambassador of sorts, as the first model rolling off Volkswagen's U.S. assembly complex located in Chattanooga, Tenn. In 2017, a shiny new tenant joined Passat in the form of the mid-size, three-row 2018-model year Atlas crossover.
Front-wheel-drive Passats rolling off the Chattanooga line are specifically tailored for sales in the North American market with nuances unique from those sold in Europe and elsewhere. In 2016, Passat received an exterior refresh including slimmed-down headlight housing. The overall exterior remains stately yet conservative with a large, square rear window and decent-sized side glass creating excellent sight lines for drivers.
Major Passat news for 2018 concerns what's featured under hood, in the form of an upgraded 2.0-liter, 16-valve turbo engine delivering 174 horsepower. It replaces an outgoing 1.8-liter four cylinder. This new powertrain not only ups horsepower, fuel economy gets goosed as well, now delivering 25 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway, up two miles in each category. It connects to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Passat continues offering a six-cylinder powertrain option. Many mid-size sedans have foregone V-6s, instead relying solely upon fours. An available 3.6-liter, 24-valve, naturally aspirated (non turbo) V-6 returns in 2018, lifting horsepower to 280 and connecting with a dual-clutch automatic-like transmission. Both engines accept regular, 87-octane fuel although the V-6 reaches 280 horses with the assistance of premium petro.
Passat's also welcoming a sporty, all-new GT trim in 2018, scheduled to arrive before spring's end touting the more potent V-6 along with such nuances as 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, sport suspension, carbon fiber interior trim and blacked-out roof spoiler, side mirrors and window trim. Also new in 2018, an additional exterior color hue choice: Tourmaline Blue.
The new GT joins returning trims including S, SE, R-Line and top-self SEL. All returning trims come with the upgraded four-cylinder engine standard. SEL offers the V-6 as an option.
Our nicely-equipped Passat SEL Premium with 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine included a $31,650 starting price, ending at $32,500 after factoring an $850 destination charge. The SEL trim adds leather upholstery, upgraded audio and heated rear seats. The lowest-priced S trim Passat starts at $22,995.
While front passenger head and leg room satisfy the needs of driver and shot-gun participant, row two leg room measures uncommonly spacious. At 15.9 cubic feet, trunk volume measures near the top of the mid-size sedan class. Rear two seatbacks fold forward in a 60/40 split fashion expanding cargo-carrying opportunities. The driver's bucket seat remains firm, yet supportive with eight-way power settings. At highway speeds, expect minimal wind noise and a quiet inside cabin.
Upscale German rivals have a longstanding habit of over-engineering and complicating simple tasks. Passat takes a pass with this logic. The dashboard layout, simple, straight forward and straight across, resists the serpentine effect. The traditional, instrument panel easily interprets at a glance with sizeable two circular, analog gauges (left-side tachometer, right-side speedometer) with small gauge inserts along the bottom (temperature and fuel-remaining, respective).
A trunk release button is found on the driver's door ahead and slightly south of the handy grab bar. The square, medium-sized 6.3-inch in-dash color screen centers the dash. Below, a row of buttons and three twist dials below monitor dual temperature zones. All trims sans the base S include "App-Connect," allowing Smartphone connection and easy interaction with the in-dash screen. The touch-sensitive monitor works in conjunction with welcome old-school twist knob and additional push buttons surrounding the screen.
Passat proudly showcases its family heirloom donning all its automotive siblings: the iconic circular V atop W logo, recognized worldwide for its simplicity and familiarity. Inside, it geometrically centers the three-spoke, flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Outside, it centers the four chrome bar front grille, trunk and wheel hubs.
In addition to the 'People's First' warranty, VW includes three years (or 36,000 miles) of complementary 24-hour roadside assistance covering towing, jump-starting and flat tire changes.
At a glance
Price as tested: $32,500
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 174
Wheelbase: 110.4 inches
Overall length: 191.9 inches
Overall Height: 58.5 inches
Overall width: 72.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,274 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Six years/72,000 miles
Fuel economy: 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway
Assembly: Chattanooga, Tennessee
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