which is why almost every manufacturer from bmw to merc to mazda uses a navigation knob. even audi .

Think of the Passat 2.0 as the GTI but with a boot.

m3 competition pack

For me, the only flaw (other than with the price) with the B8 Passat is the passenger space and the high hump transmission tunnel. In terms of everything else such as cargo loading (boot space), it's actually one of the best in its class.

Performance and handling wise - also among the best in its class.

The Camry, Accord, Nissan Teana or Peugeot 508 isn't going to match this car anytime soon in terms of power or handling. Arguably only the Ford Mondeo Ecoboost and possibly the Mazda 6 are the only cars that may equal or better it in terms of handling but not power.

The B8 2.0 EA888.3 engine has been known to produce easily 220 to 230PS of power on an actual dyno - which is exactly what is stated on paper or more. The same can't be said for the other cars listed above.

To put that power in context -

It has higher horses compared to the F30 320i facelift and about the same figure as the F30 330i facelift
It has higher horses compared to the A/CLA/C/E200 and A/CLA/GLA/C/E250

This is a car really for the performance junkies.

The high hump is for chassis rigidity which is important for
Ride and handling comfort. Even the passat b7 has a higher torsional rigidity than the f30 3 series.

http://blogs.youwheel.com/2014/04/25/car-b...rehensive-list/

No. The high hump is for AWD, as you can order the Passat with AWD and thus there needs to be space for the propshaft.

No. The high hump is for AWD, as you can order the Passat with AWD and thus there needs to be space for the propshaft.

Aside from packaging issues with prop-shafts going to rear axles, the primary purpose of the transmission tunnel is to stiffen the floorpan.

Lonitudinally, a transmission tunnel acts as a crush tube, which can initially be rigid and act as a safety cell, but once deformed absorb significant amounts of crash energy.

In a side impact situation, a transmission tunnel offers somewhere for the impacted seat to move into, away from the crash site.

In bending of the floorpan, the tunnel effectively replaces one large plate like structure with two half sized ones - this raises the first natural frequency of the floorpan significantly. As bending vibrations are the ones which couple most effectively with sound, this is also a good thing for NVH.

Going further, a stiff floorpan also reduces the problem of scuttle shake, and contributes to overall body stiffness. Where the ends of the transmission tunnel are effectivey built in to the remaining structure, there is an enhancement of torsional rigidity - if the ends of the transmission tunnel terminate in unsupported panels, there's no torsional rigidity gain.

"The transmission tunnel serves dual purpose - 1] The central hump adds tremendous stiffening of the floor pan in a monocoque chassis and that helps in the chassis dynamics; and 2] the fuel lines, exhaust, brake lines and other wiring are routed through the transmission tunnel, thereby helping in the safety quotient of these plumbings, wires, etc and also helps maintaining appropriate ground clearance of the car.

sit in the back of a Civic and you can actually feel the rear of the car sway from side to side even while going in a straight line! That is not to say that this might be the only reason for the Civic's flawed dynamics, but maybe the lack of a transmission tunnel does have a role to play here."

For me, the only flaw (other than with the price) with the B8 Passat is the passenger space and the high hump transmission tunnel. In terms of everything else such as cargo loading (boot space), it's actually one of the best in its class.

Performance and handling wise - also among the best in its class.

The Camry, Accord, Nissan Teana or Peugeot 508 isn't going to match this car anytime soon in terms of power or handling. Arguably only the Ford Mondeo Ecoboost and possibly the Mazda 6 are the only cars that may equal or better it in terms of handling but not power.

The B8 2.0 EA888.3 engine has been known to produce easily 220 to 230PS of power on an actual dyno - which is exactly what is stated on paper or more. The same can't be said for the other cars listed above.

To put that power in context -

It has higher horses compared to the F30 320i facelift and about the same figure as the F30 330i facelift
It has higher horses compared to the A/CLA/C/E200 and A/CLA/GLA/C/E250

This is a car really for the performance junkies.

No. The high hump is for AWD, as you can order the Passat with AWD and thus there needs to be space for the propshaft.

Yes, in Deutchland there is even a B8 variant that comes loaded with the Golf R engine and 4motion. That's by far the most desirable car in the VW line of sedan cars - a Golf R with a boot.

But of course if you don't mind paying a bit more then the B9 A4 Quattro is also essentially the same car but with a nicer badge. Or perhaps just go for the RS models.

I think most conti's cars have the high hump at the back, say BMW 3/5 series, Mercedes C class and more.

The hump takes away the comfort of the rear middle passenger, but if there's wider legroom at the back, and if the hump is high but not wide, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

To be honest, this is the first time I heard ppl saying f30 interior is decent... not too say it's bad, but comparing 320 with c200 it's like heaven and earth... and to me Passat b8 interior felt more luxurious than f30...

On another note, is the 2.0 EA888 the same engine with those in Audi's lineup which was known to have oil consumption issues? Perhaps different tune?

Considering the Passat 206TSI R-Line here in the Land Down Under which has the same engine as the Golf R and with AWD.
Well the models you mentioned above has a hump due to the fact that they are RWD.

For your information, luxury is more than interior look. Material used plays a big role. This is where any bentley and rolls royce are in different league despite the fabulous cabin of the s class. i still think the f30 is more luxurious than the passat because of it's consistent materials throughout and the tactility of the switchgears. Maybe boring is the right word.  Bmw has always make a conservative looking interior. But the quality is actually a bit better than merc. Merc is more to in-your-face kind of luxury these days but upon closer look there are still some cheap hard materials to be found like the inside door handle and rear blower area.

Well the models you mentioned above has a hump due to the fact that they are RWD.

For your information, luxury is more than interior look. Material used plays a big role. This is where any bentley and rolls royce are in different league despite the fabulous cabin of the s class. i still think the f30 is more luxurious than the passat because of it's consistent materials throughout and the tactility of the switchgears. Maybe boring is the right word.  Bmw has always make a conservative looking interior. But the quality is actually a bit better than merc. Merc is more to in-your-face kind of luxury these days but upon closer look there are still some cheap hard materials to be found like the inside door handle and rear blower area.

I drove a F10 1 series and own a Golf Mk 7... the interior in the Golf does feel better IMHO. Better materials, better quality. The only thing I preferred in the F10 was that they had some cushioning for the knees.

@Drian: Oh I see. Hm.