Perc
Very Odd Looking Vehicular Object
So, my Opel Insignia Country Tourer was getting on a bit. It's the most reliable car I've ever owned and it had nothing wrong with it at all other than scratches and dents but it was still time for something new. I usually don't like staring at the same dashboard for more than 4-5 years at a time, and this time I also had this annoying thought in the back of my mind that Something Expensive™ will break at some point. The Insignia had (among other things) torque vectoring Haldex AWD, magnetic shock absorbers and a very expensive turbo setup with both turbochargers cast into the exhaust manifold. At 200.000km and 7 years of age, something has to start breaking sooner or later.
I wasn't going to buy a VAG product, but after browsing through the entire internet I decided to find myself a Passat Alltrack. It's a 2018 TDI190 and has the options I refuse to budge on: AWD, radar guided cruise, Apple CarPlay, remote controlled Webasto heater and factory retractable tow bar. It also has leather which is nice, I have had several cars with leather before but my last two have had base spec cloth. It doesn't have plates yet, because it's imported from Sweden and the dealership chain I bought it from seems to register the cars and pay the import taxes after they've sold them. I bought it from the other side of the country so it was driven to me and paid upon delivery. I'll get my plates in the mail next week. It has boring wheels in 17" which I guess is the smallest size you can fit on a car like this.
My first thoughts are good. Drivetrain NVH is a whole different ball game compared to the Insignia with its Fiat-derived diesel, but then against most things are. I was a bit worried that the stop-start system would be annoying mated to an automatic since you can't keep the engine running by holding the clutch pedal down, but it kicks the diesel back into life and gets moving faster than I can move my foot to the accelerator. The seats are comfortable, although I'll reserve final judgement until the first longer trip. It gets mega bonus points for having a reversing camera where you can see the bumper and towball.
It obviously has most modern-day driver aids, and it's already told me several times that I need to actually hold the steering wheel. What seems to happen is that it keeps itself in the lane and tricks me into believing I'm steering when in fact i'm not. I'm just sitting there with my thumb and finger on the wheel, along for the ride. I was on a deserted road last night and decided to see what would happen if I didn't obey. First it throws a message on the dash, then it dings, then it beeps, after that it does a sharp brake check to wake me up. After that it just goes ? and turns the aid off, forcing me to take control. I expected it to stop at the side of the road with the hazards on and a loud beep inside the cabin, but apparently not.
So why didn't I buy a PHEV or EV? Well, because reasons. I don't have anywhere to charge where I live. PHEV:s obviously don't need charging, but when you refuse to budge on AWD and want a decent tow rating your options are very slim or non-existant. I also like diesel. Always have. So diesel it is.
I've already exchanged looks with a fellow Passat B8 owner (Facelift, no Alltrack) while we were stopped at the same crosswalk going in opposite directions. This is what happens with cars like these. Those that own them know what's up, everyone else just sees a fridge on wheels.
Plans? Well, a nice discrete LED bar under the license plate is on the shopping list. I'll also yeet the dealer plate frames. I found the key for the locking lug bolts rattling around in the trunk. My first thought was to replace the stupid locking lugs and bin them, but after I found the rest of the VW OEM locking lug kit I guess I'll keep them in the spare wheel well for the next owner to not use.
Also, proof pic.
I wasn't going to buy a VAG product, but after browsing through the entire internet I decided to find myself a Passat Alltrack. It's a 2018 TDI190 and has the options I refuse to budge on: AWD, radar guided cruise, Apple CarPlay, remote controlled Webasto heater and factory retractable tow bar. It also has leather which is nice, I have had several cars with leather before but my last two have had base spec cloth. It doesn't have plates yet, because it's imported from Sweden and the dealership chain I bought it from seems to register the cars and pay the import taxes after they've sold them. I bought it from the other side of the country so it was driven to me and paid upon delivery. I'll get my plates in the mail next week. It has boring wheels in 17" which I guess is the smallest size you can fit on a car like this.
My first thoughts are good. Drivetrain NVH is a whole different ball game compared to the Insignia with its Fiat-derived diesel, but then against most things are. I was a bit worried that the stop-start system would be annoying mated to an automatic since you can't keep the engine running by holding the clutch pedal down, but it kicks the diesel back into life and gets moving faster than I can move my foot to the accelerator. The seats are comfortable, although I'll reserve final judgement until the first longer trip. It gets mega bonus points for having a reversing camera where you can see the bumper and towball.
It obviously has most modern-day driver aids, and it's already told me several times that I need to actually hold the steering wheel. What seems to happen is that it keeps itself in the lane and tricks me into believing I'm steering when in fact i'm not. I'm just sitting there with my thumb and finger on the wheel, along for the ride. I was on a deserted road last night and decided to see what would happen if I didn't obey. First it throws a message on the dash, then it dings, then it beeps, after that it does a sharp brake check to wake me up. After that it just goes ? and turns the aid off, forcing me to take control. I expected it to stop at the side of the road with the hazards on and a loud beep inside the cabin, but apparently not.
So why didn't I buy a PHEV or EV? Well, because reasons. I don't have anywhere to charge where I live. PHEV:s obviously don't need charging, but when you refuse to budge on AWD and want a decent tow rating your options are very slim or non-existant. I also like diesel. Always have. So diesel it is.
I've already exchanged looks with a fellow Passat B8 owner (Facelift, no Alltrack) while we were stopped at the same crosswalk going in opposite directions. This is what happens with cars like these. Those that own them know what's up, everyone else just sees a fridge on wheels.
Plans? Well, a nice discrete LED bar under the license plate is on the shopping list. I'll also yeet the dealer plate frames. I found the key for the locking lug bolts rattling around in the trunk. My first thought was to replace the stupid locking lugs and bin them, but after I found the rest of the VW OEM locking lug kit I guess I'll keep them in the spare wheel well for the next owner to not use.
Also, proof pic.