Hi,
I ordered my VW Passat 2.0 TDI SEL 170bhp with DSG gearbox in January 2007. The kerbweight of the car, in the VW brochure of the same month, was down as 1737kgs. Of course this weight was taken into account when I chose the car.
I have seen a couple of articles (including one in Pratical Caravan) mentioning that there were mistakes in the VW brochures published prior to early 2007. Indeed, it turns out my Passat is 200kgs lighter than originally stated in the brochure.
My Passat is a lease vehicle and I asked the leasing company to raise the matter with Volkswagen. I have posted VW's reply below for reference. As you can see, VW are putting the emphasis of the towing capability (unchanged) as opposed to the kerbweight.
My lease has another 2 years to run but the leasing company have stated that they cannot be held responsible for how the manufacturers calculate and publish the information as it is something beyond their control.
There is nothing wrong with the Passat as such - it is a great car.
However, I feel totally misled in my choice of vehicle by VW's mistake. I would go as far as "not fit for purpose", even though I am still below the 100% car/caravan weight ratio (higher than 85% though).
Have any of you come across similar problems? What was VW's response?
I look forward to your input.
Thanking you in advance.
HervÇ.
-----
Here is VW's reply :
"Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience in allowing us the
time to provide you with an official response to your query. The question
regarding the actual weight of your vehicle and the stated weight in the
handbook has now been escalated and reviewed.
The change in the published weight of your customer's Passat between the
2006 and 2007 brochures reflected a change in stance from publishing the
fully equipped weight of the vehicle to a weight that represents a base
specification weight.
There are many factors that affect a vehicles towing ability, the weight
of the vehicle being one of them and Volkswagen publish a towing capability
which takes account of all factors such as engine power output,
transmission type, suspension systems and weight of optional equipment.
Our vehicles are thoroughly tested and we publish the specific towing
weight capability of our models to enable our customers to buy the
appropriate model in our range. Our published values have not changed and
therefore provided you purchased an appropriate vehicle based on our
published towing capability we are confident our vehicle will perform in
the way you expected.
Thank you once again for enabling me to have the time to investigate this
matter thoroughly on your behalf.
Yours sincerely
Kind regards
***NAME WHITHELD***
Leasing Liaison Executive
Volkswagen Fleet Business Centre"
I ordered my VW Passat 2.0 TDI SEL 170bhp with DSG gearbox in January 2007. The kerbweight of the car, in the VW brochure of the same month, was down as 1737kgs. Of course this weight was taken into account when I chose the car.
I have seen a couple of articles (including one in Pratical Caravan) mentioning that there were mistakes in the VW brochures published prior to early 2007. Indeed, it turns out my Passat is 200kgs lighter than originally stated in the brochure.
My Passat is a lease vehicle and I asked the leasing company to raise the matter with Volkswagen. I have posted VW's reply below for reference. As you can see, VW are putting the emphasis of the towing capability (unchanged) as opposed to the kerbweight.
My lease has another 2 years to run but the leasing company have stated that they cannot be held responsible for how the manufacturers calculate and publish the information as it is something beyond their control.
There is nothing wrong with the Passat as such - it is a great car.
However, I feel totally misled in my choice of vehicle by VW's mistake. I would go as far as "not fit for purpose", even though I am still below the 100% car/caravan weight ratio (higher than 85% though).
Have any of you come across similar problems? What was VW's response?
I look forward to your input.
Thanking you in advance.
HervÇ.
-----
Here is VW's reply :
"Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience in allowing us the
time to provide you with an official response to your query. The question
regarding the actual weight of your vehicle and the stated weight in the
handbook has now been escalated and reviewed.
The change in the published weight of your customer's Passat between the
2006 and 2007 brochures reflected a change in stance from publishing the
fully equipped weight of the vehicle to a weight that represents a base
specification weight.
There are many factors that affect a vehicles towing ability, the weight
of the vehicle being one of them and Volkswagen publish a towing capability
which takes account of all factors such as engine power output,
transmission type, suspension systems and weight of optional equipment.
Our vehicles are thoroughly tested and we publish the specific towing
weight capability of our models to enable our customers to buy the
appropriate model in our range. Our published values have not changed and
therefore provided you purchased an appropriate vehicle based on our
published towing capability we are confident our vehicle will perform in
the way you expected.
Thank you once again for enabling me to have the time to investigate this
matter thoroughly on your behalf.
Yours sincerely
Kind regards
***NAME WHITHELD***
Leasing Liaison Executive
Volkswagen Fleet Business Centre"