www.womanthismonth.com showcase April 2016 81 The new Volkswagon Passat is here and has had a serious facelift. WTM’s Apple Sharma took this mid-size sedan for a ride to see its appeal as a family car. BEHBEHANI BROTHERS A NEW LOOK PERFECTED When most women think about getting a new family car, we look for the same things as we do in a man – one that is loyal, dependable and someone you feel safe with. Looks, of course, are always a bonus. So when I test drove the new 2016 Volkswagon Passat, not only did it deliver on the reliability front but also on the aesthetics. It was like going out on a date with your best friend’s good looking brother! Passat has always enjoyed a reputation of being refined, stylish and sophisticated, but the new model is all the more impressive. If family resemblances are anything to go by, the new Passat is definitely the more handsome sibling of the two. Its striking new design and innovative technology maks it more than just a family car. Not only does it look great, with sleek lines on the hood and an aggressive front grille, but it also drives like a dream. Talking about appearances, new features include chrome accents running throughout the exterior; futuristic-looking full LED headlights and taillights; corner-illuminating foglights; new front fenders; front and rear bumpers; 16-inch alloy wheels; Park Distance Control; the list goes on. It’s fair to say that good looks run in the family. One of the features I found truly impressive was the hands-free Easy Open Trunk (boot for our British readers). Loading your shopping is a breeze, even with the door locked. All you have to do is keep the key in your pocket and just swipe your foot underneath the boot and voila the lid pops open magically. The other handy feature is the power side mirrors with memory and power-folding feature, so you can park in tight spaces without the fear of getting your mirrors knocked off or having to adjust them constantly. Another cool function is the Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control, so no more fights about whether it’s too hot or too cold. The physical attraction is all very well, but what’s on the inside counts the most. Well, the interiors of the new Passat are equally impressive. The leatherette seats with contrast piping are stylish, comfortable and easy to keep clean. The moment you plug your compatible smart phone into the USB port, you make an instant connection with the VW App-Connect car suite that lets you access select apps straight onto your touchscreen dashboard using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or MirrorLink. The second-generation in-car infotainment system, also known as MIB II by Volkswagen, features easy-to-use touchscreens (standard equipment on all models) that enable swiping and pinchzooming rather than resistive ones that require pressure. With all these controls literally at the tip of your fingers on the new multi-functional sporty steering wheel, you’re ready to rock 'n' roll! Talking about music, one of my favourite features of the car was its Fender premium audio system, boasting ninespeakers, including a subwoofer. The sound is crystal-clear, whether you’re chatting with your mates on the phone over Bluetooth or listening to your favourite tunes; in my case it was Baz Lurhmann’s The Sunscreen Song on full blast! School runs will never be the same again. Above anything else, safety takes top priority and the new Passat has it all covered with features like the Intelligent Crash Response System and the seven stability-enhancing systems that are engineered to help protect actively or passively. Now comes the most important part of convincing the hubby why the Passat is the perfect family car for you. If all of the above doesn’t impress him much, then memorise these details – under the bonnet is a fivecylinder, 2.5-litre petrol engine, with an output of 125 kW (170bhp) and a six-speed automatic tiptronic gearbox. When you start talking numbers, it’s sure to pique his interest, and the most important of all is the price, which starts at BD8,800 inclusive of three years/45K free service, three years roadside assist and five years/unlimited mileage extended warranty. The new Passat, in my opinion, is a great contender for a family car but try it for yourself. Visit www.facebook.com/ volkswagenbahrain or follow Instagram: VolkswagenBH.
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