A direct-injected turbodiesel engine is the star aboard the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE. This longer, leaner, U.S.-made midsize family sedan is now a bit roomier and offers almost 16 cubic feet of trunk space, while the new sport-tuned suspension keeps it agile and comfy on all but the most decrepit roads. Standard features in this amped-up VW, meanwhile, include 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats with power-adjustable driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control and a telescoping and tilting leather steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls. Then there’s the standard remote power door locks, power windows and heated power-adjustable outside mirrors to complement split-folding rear seats with center folding armrest. Entertainment, meantime, comes in the form of an MP3-capable 6-CD changer with eight speakers, satellite radio and a memory card slot. Finally, Bluetooth hands-free communications technology is also delivered with this well-wrought family auto. Options for the 2012 Passat TDI SE include a power sunroof and a hard-drive-based navigation system, each necessitating the optional 6-speed auto-manual transmission, as well as the popular Passat lip spoiler and various trunk organizers.
A new-for-2012 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel powers the Passat TDI SE. Either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed auto-manual transmission, meantime, manages these ponies to produce a potent 236 lb-ft of torque. EPA estimates, by the way, put mileage in this perky sedan at a jaw-dropping 31 mpg city/43 highway with the stick shift and 30/40 with the auto-manual transmission.
Safety-wise, the 2012 Passat TDI SE boasts standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front head-restraint whiplash protection and front side-mounted airbags. This classy sedan also sports standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, daytime running lights, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system.
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