Consider the Passat a superb driver's car. The chassis, shared with the Audi A4 -- a superb car for driving pleasure -- has been tuned to offer an excellent blend of ride comfort and responsiveness. There's little body roll during cornering and precise, low-effort steering makes aiming the car easy. The all-season tires scream loudly when pushed to their limits, however. The ride is slightly firmer than that of competing Japanese models, but the Passat's handling qualities are markedly better. Wind and engine noise are well muted. Acceleration is very good, especially when the power source--a smallish four-cylinder engine--is considered. But this is no ordinary four-cylinder engine: It has been turbocharged and has five valves per cylinder (two intake and three exhaust), which help produce a healthy 150 horsepower and plenty of torque for pulling briskly away from intersections or driving around town. This engine delivers the performance of most V6 engines with better fuel economy. Buyers who choose the optional automatic transmission will be in for a treat. The five-speed automatic can be left alone change gears automatically. In this mode, it's a smart transmission that uses adaptive electronics to control shifting based on whether the driver is being gentle or is seeking maximum acceleration performance. Those seeking greater control can shift the transmission into the Tiptronic mode, a design licensed by Porsche. Sliding the shift lever into a separate area to the right of the normal shift gate permits manual shifting. A forward push on the lever causes upward gear changes, with a light pull back for downshifts. Safety measures have been built in to protect the inattentive. The unit won't downshift when speeds are too high, or start from rest in fifth gear if the driver forgot to downshift when coming to a halt. The Tiptronic is a fine dual-purpose transmission, sporting or unobtrusive as the driver wishes.
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