Passat TDI PD 4MOTION Offers Four-Wheel Drive And TDI Economy

The popular Passat TDI PD 130 is now available with 4MOTION four-wheel drive, with prices starting at £18,815 ‘on the road’. Available in both saloon and estate guise in either SE or Sport trim, the new model offers a very rare proposition: four-wheel drive transmission and diesel power in a ‘non-SUV’ vehicle.

The combination of the respected 130 PS TDI PD diesel engine with four-wheel drive will be particularly appealing to those drivers who tow in slippery conditions – for example in hilly winter conditions, unmade roads or caravan parks – but who want diesel economy.

The car’s permanent all-wheel drive transmission, under normal driving conditions, splits torque in a 50:50 ratio between the front and rear wheels through a torsen (torque sensing) centre differential. When the surface becomes slippery, the wheels with more grip are fed more torque up to a 75:25 ratio.

Even with four-wheel drive, the Passat TDI PD 4MOTION still returns 43.5 mpg on the combined cycle in saloon form, with a top speed of 127 mph. Carbon dioxide emissions of just 176 g/km put it in the 20 per cent bracket for company car tax – unusually low for a four-wheel drive vehicle.

A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard to the TDI PD 4MOTION range, which means that SE buyers benefit from an extra ratio by moving up to 4MOTION. Standard equipment is comprehensive, with ABS; ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme); four airbags with curtain airbag system; six-disc CD autochanger; and climate control all included.