2013 VW Passat TDI Pricing, Options and Specifications

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Hi All:

A few more “shots”…

2013 VW Passat TDI with the 6-speed stick Review


I know every rest area between Chicago and the Gulf Coast by heart





Stopped on the side of the road looking over an Oil Rig crew drilling for the black stuff in Southern IL.





Another VW Passat just ahead but it is not a TDI. He or she does not know what they are missing





When you have to stop, anywhere including a cotton field along US45 in MS will do




And when you are on a fuel economy drive, why not take a very rough off-road excursion to allow the pup to run free for a few minutes





Pups asleep in the front seat.


Pups waking up in the back and ready to stop again





Willis (Sears) Tower with the 2013 VW Passat TDI up front.


Another Willis (Sears) Tower with the 2013 VW Passat TDI up front. You will not believe where I was to get this shot





You ain’t nothin but a Hound Dog … on Elvis' birthplace home porch.


Pups, the Passat TDI and Elvis’ birthplace home across the street.

​

Wayne

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Hi Houston:

Whoops, sorry I did not put that detail in the post. The steady state Speed vs. Fuel Economy data was generated just like I have in the past by using standard cruise control engaged at the target speed(s). The minimum distance was 18 miles for the 60 mph run and the longest was the 70 mph run over 33 miles.

In addition, the Passat TDI's speedometer reads approximately 1 mph over at 60 mph actual. I always use a portable Garmin for the speed setting, not the OEM speedometer.

The RPM at 60 mph was almost dead on with the calculated of 1,624 RPM @ 60 mph almost matching the 1,630 RPM to the letter. German’s sweat the detail on this kind of thing like no other manufacturer(s) in the world.

I will fix the above post in a minute.

Wayne

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Hi Houston:

Not much else regarding the initial drive to today but there are other interesting points.

The Passat TDI's power seat motors are by far the quietest I have ever heard. The car has to be shut down to actually hear them operate and you will have to pay close attention or you would miss it.

Seating position and control ergonomics were good but as you raised the seat, the front did not rise with the rear as many seat height adjusters do today unfortunately. Meaning as the seat rises, the front rises at a slower rate or not at all compared to the back of the lower seat cushion. This left me with a lack of lower thigh support as the seat height increased. Not to the point of being uncomfortable but more a noticeable nuisance.

The leather or pleather seating surfaces were not only easy to clean (I had some cleaning to do this afternoon too!) but soft.

The steering wheel still has some weird angles built into it and just like the 20112 VW Passat TDI Preview, after a few miles the angles were purposely placed and fit your hands nicely. The leather wrap was the very tight smooth texture that I like although there is little give in the covering. A little hard.

While the shift gates are really close to one another, the shifter settles in the N position directly above the 4th gate and below the 3rd very precisely so I used that for gear placement. Something that only takes a day or two and it becomes second nature.

The Clutch pedal action while progressive with some travel from initial engagement to fully locked up, is sprung hard. Meaning more effort that what one might think. For most it will not be an issue as they will not shift that much but after an estimated 10,000 shifts over the 1,675 miles, I wish it was sprung a little softer is all.

As mentioned previously, the A-pillar coverings are not only cloth textured (a rare and nice touch for the D-segment), they are shaped to allow maximum viewing angle out the front windscreen. This is similar to what Toyota did with the new Camry. It is thick along the sight line (not across it) and built with HSS for crash protection but the way VW formed the A-pillar allows a slightly larger sightline then most others in its class.

Wayne

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Hi All:

They picked up the Passat TDI a few minutes ago so it was sad to see it go...

While I have a few more pics for the review, this one is worth posting right away.

2013 VW Passat TDI Review


Front and rear seat room. Notice the limo like rear seat leg room? “Best in Class” in no uncertain terms.​

Wayne

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Believe it or not the worst thing you can do on the highway to kill your gas mileage is open up a sunroof. Even tipping it up in the rear will hurt your fuel mileage. It creates an airflow drag by disrupting or breaking up the boundary layer flowing over the roof. Not recommended at speeds over 40 mph.

The recommended drivers side front and passenger rear down an inch or two is a much better option with little or no additional drag being created.

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Just what is that car, Carcus? What's your mileage in it?

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Hi Houston:

Probably 35 mph with all the rest stops and picture opportunities

Wayne

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

It's available in bulk from a dispenser at truck stops and so on too. It's cheaper than diesel here at around $3/gal. I believe the Passat's tank is 5 gallons and it usually takes 2.5-4 gallons at 10k mile intervals. Much like fuel, that is a tank that should never be run dry.

 

Re: 2013 VW Passat TDI Specifications

Basically: You can't. The car will not start if there is no DEF. It can keep running after it runs out but once it's shut down, it won't start until some DEF is added to the tank.