Greg Wilson test drive EARLIER this year, Volkswagen made full- time, four-wheel-drive available on the Passat sedan and wagon. This makes the Passat one of the few intermediate-sized cars available with all-wheel- drive, the other ones being the Subaru Legacy/Ourbach, Audi A+, and the new BMW 330X3. All-wheel-drive is a real safety asset in areas that have alot of snow or rain — hmm, f guess that would include the whole of Canada. It not only improves traction on slippery surfaces, but also improves directional stability and steering control. Unlike part-time four-wheel-drive systems that can only be engaged on slippery or loose surfaces, all-wheel-drive is fully automatic and never needs to be engaged or dis- engaged. Volkswagen’s 4Motion system is more sophisticated than some: it includes an autumatic-locking Torsen centre differential that dis- tributes engine torque to the front and rear axles in a 50/50 split in normal driving conditions — but on slippery surfaces, the wheels with more traction receive more of the power: front or rear wheels can receive up to 67% of engine power. in addition, an Electronic Differential Locking (EDL) sys- tem distributes power from side to side. ‘This feature limits individual wheel spin and redistributes the power to the side that needs it most. 4Motion coupled with EDL makes it pos- sible for the car to move if only one wheel has traction. On top of this is a Computer-controlled anti-skid system called ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation). While EDL functions as a form of traction control at speeds up to 46 km/h, the ASR system uses sophisticated electronics to control the throttle and maximize traction and stability at higher speeds. ASR can be deactivated with the push ofa button on the dashboard. Vancouver. Only on V6 automatic models The 4Motion system is available only on Passat GLS and GLX sedans and wagons with the 2.8-litre, V6 engine and NEWS optional five-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission. (Front- wheel-drive Passats are also available with a five-speed manual transmission and a 150 horsepower, 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.) Tiptronic, an automaiic/manual transmission developed by Porsche, allows clutchless manual shifting by pushing forwards on the gear lever to change up gears, and by pulling back on the gear lever to change down gears. In autumatic mode, this “intelligent” transmission will change down automatically when going downhill, and hold in fourth or fifth when clmb- ing a slight grade. In my opinion, the 2.8-litre “narrow angle” V6 engine is one of the best V6 engines in the world — it’s extremely smooth, powerful, quiet, and free-revving. [t develops 190 horsepower at 6,000 r.p.m. and 206 ft./ib. of torque ar 3,200 np.m. Technically sophisticated, it features five valves per See Passat page 24 AUTOMOTIVE Friday. July 28. 2006 - North Shore News - 23 GUIDE NEWS photo Terry Peters TEST Drive columnist Greg Wilson says the Volkswagen Passat GLS and GLX with the 4Motion system is a superb four-wheel drive wagon which offers a smooth, quiet ride. The GLS and GLX both come with a 2.8-litre, V6 engine.Test drive a Passat at Wetmore Motors in West At A Glance “The Passat Wagon 4Motion’s driving dynamics are excellent, the ride is superb, and the cabin is very quiet — it really feels tike a luxury car. There is no sense of being in igur-wheel-drive — its operation is completely transpar- ent to the driver.” Making our streets safe again. M-CLASS. The SUV with so many safety systems, it can share them with other vehicles. ff you'd like to test drive the Mercedes of 4X4's, just give us 2 call of come sev US Anytime. Lease for only $560 per month* 7.5% lease rate. Mercedes-Benz NortTH VANCOUVER SALES * LEASING © PAKTS ¢ SERVICE 1375 Marine Drive, N. Vancouver * 984-9357 SALES HOURS: 8.404M - 8 OOPM MONDAY TO THURSDAY ¢ 8. 30-00M FRIDAY ¢ LOTTO SEM SATURDAY PARES/SERVICE, 7, 30-0PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY ¢ NOW OPEN SATURDAY 9-1PM "S560 /mentb byased on 2 MESO Eeganve 45 month teatkatwdy lease ieith SSSSS dete or equenadent trate Optronal trey back $8845 D8) beriye adleacance (20 /bi oer) haves teeses, foeiehd, PDE extra DAC Faprenence Wercedex-Renr theageh The Cattection. 2 catatugpe of sigoature merchandise avarlsdle at eaw mercedes hens v4 OC Mecedes Bonus Canade me. tuum: Ortane