WHEN I first reviewed the Volkswagen Passat in 1990, I said it was the most in- telligently-designed car in its class. Though its exicrior dimensions are smaller than cars like the Honda Accord and Dodee Spirit, its cabin is jarger overall, and it: has an extremely big trunk. Volkswagen achieved space ef- ney by combining a transverse engine/front-wheel-drise layout with a cabin that is well forward on the beady. In addition, the Passat is relatively tall with a high rear deck. Midway through 1998, Volkswagen introduced an afl- wheel-drive version of the Passat sedan and wagon called the Syn- cre, The Passat Synero is equip- ped with a supercharged ES litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower instead of 2 nor- mally-aspirated = 2.00 fittne DOHC four-evlinder engine with 134 horsepower, Though the supercharged engine has more power, the Passat Sir cro isn’t much quicker in’ oa straight fine because the all- wheel-drive hardware adds am ex tral $26 Kilograngs ta the Passat’s curb oweieht. Salt, the envine'’s low-speed torque has been int proved and die Synera tis slightts betier acceleration i the lower res VW Passat Syncro hinges, though not enough, in my opinion, In adverse the Passat Synero has clearly su- weather condifions, perior, and osater performance. The Synero is equipped with three technical features that improve cit sontrol, The first is a full-time four-wheel-drive system chat senses When any of the wheels begin to spin’ and distributes power to the wheels that have more trachon. The second is an anti-iock brak- Ing system that prevents the wheels from locking ap or skid- ding on slippery surfaces, allowing the driver to steer around obstacles rather than into them. And thirdly, an cleetronmie dif- forential Tock on the front ask prevents the driving wheels from spinning while decelerating on slippers surfaces. The beauty of these devices is that thes work automatically and unobtrusively without the driver having to press burtons or other: Wie minut cneage them. When the Passat Synero travels tron a dry road surface ta an icy one, the car will automatically ind iim- mediately adjust far any fos. of Tachion. On a wet road, Volkswaven estimates that wheel slippage of at rearewheebdrive car is three times thar oat the Passat Senero, On a toad, che figute is tons ATA and oon an icy read wheel Tiles, 44 The VW Passat Syncro uses three technologies designed to improve the driver's control of the car on wet, icy or slippery roads: all-wheel-drive, anti- lock brakes, and traction control. 9F slippage of ao rear-wheel-drive car is five times that of an allewheel- drive Passat Synero. bor people whe do a dot ol diving in the wintertime. such as skiers and salespeople, the Passat Synere is an ideal car, Hots also quite economical Gas mileage averages EES btres per 100 hilotietres (28 sapy) in urban dris- ine. and 7.20 litres per Price gs tested $27,220 Base price $24,998 Tepe teur-door. five-passenger sedan | [rags verse fron: heel drive supercharged Lasoult nging at loce hilometres (39 mpep en the high- way, A five-speed manual transmis- sion is standard equipment. Though it) has a rather clunk: fev, it is nevertheless cass to change pears and well positioned for reach. An automatic transmis- sion ts not offered on the Senere. The Synero’s trunk ts about 20" smaller than the ong ia the four-cylinder, Digifant lucl ing Horsepower PS8 2 5600 tpn: Torque 166 trib, a 3300 rpm Eransotission | five-specd oman: ual Tires 205. 80 RES VR radials Curb weight 100 he 3285 thy Wheelbase 2630 nen’ 103.8 ja. engi 4873 nam TSOl0 in, Width 1904 nin 67 4a, Height 1428 min 86.2 in : ee 4 c NEWS photo Neil Lucente Greg Wilson TEST DRIV siandard Passat because the trunk ‘lear has to be raised to make See Svucro pave 31 Trunk space 378 £13.2 cu. tf. Fuct economy City 11.5 1100 Rhine 2S mpe Hwy 7.20 1/7100 kai. 39 mpy Warrants 6G,000 kins Inquire abet the Passat Synero af Capilano Vothswagen, G159 > Marine, N.Y. or Wetmore Motors 2203 Marine, WLY. Comptete 3 yrsv 1992 VW