Monday, September 19, 2005

The Premium Mobile Telephone Provision in the New Passat

Text from Volkswagen AG.
The hands-free system where you can leave your mobile telephone in your pocket – All functions carried out via Bluetooth

Wolfsburg, 19 September 2005 - Using a hands-free telephone system has become easier and more convenient than ever before in the new Passat. The "Premium mobile telephone provision", which can now be ordered as an optional extra, offers all the convenience of a regular telephone. The system automatically accesses the functions of a mobile telephone via Bluetooth without the driver having to do anything.

The mobile telephone has to be registered once with the car telephone system via the Bluetooth interface. The system will then recognise the SIM card in the future when the ignition is switched on and will automatically make a connection to the mobile telephone. The main advantage: the mobile telephone does not have to be removed from a jacket or briefcase when the vehicle is in motion. A telephone fitted permanently in the vehicle will recognise the driver's mobile telephone and "borrows" all of the necessary data from the mobile telephone's SIM card. The mobile telephone will stop the GSM mode at the same time. This means that annoying adapter changes are no longer necessary.

The dual-band compatible telephone system is operated either via a convenient voice command function or using the multi-function steering wheel. Telephone numbers can be entered via the keypad which can be opened from the dashboard. An excellent level of speech recognition quality is achieved for the hands-free system thanks to a digital speech processor which has been adapted to suit the vehicle.

In contrast to other providers of car telephone systems with a Bluetooth interface, Volkswagen can offer the driver a fully-fledged telephone system with all convenience functions, such as call hold and conference. The driver can, in the multi-function display of the combi-instrument, read text messages, telephone book entries and call lists as well as access quick dial and ring tone settings. The best possible levels of reception are achieved through the use of the car antenna.

Volkswagen also offers, as an optional extra, the possibility to connect the mobile telephone to the vehicle electrics in a special compartment in the centre console in order to charge the battery. Furthermore, an information and breakdown call button are integrated in the roof console in case the driver requires information or the breakdown service of the Volkswagen Service call centre whilst on the road.

The new "Premium mobile telephone provision" for the Passat saloon and estate is of primary interest for frequent travellers and business people who regularly use the telephone in the car and have to be accessible. The "Premium mobile telephone provision" is available for 825 EUR for the Sportline and Highline packages or 875 EUR for Comfortline. If ordered with the optional "Business package", the price is 435 EUR (Sportline, Highline) or 485 EUR (Comfortline). Alternatively, the customer can order a standard hands-free telephone system for the new Passat generation. This costs 390 EUR for all equipment options.

Currently, nine mobile telephones from Nokia (Nokia 6230, 6230i, 6810, 6820, 6822, 7280, 6021, 8800, 9300) and five from Siemens (S65, SP65, SK65, CX75, M75) are compatible. The number of mobile telephones equipped with this function is increasing steadily. This means that even more mobile telephones will have this standard as the year continues.

The Passat
The new Passat has been available as a saloon since March of this year and as an estate since 19th August. The sixth generation of the Passat is available with the equipment options Trendline, Comfortline, Sportline and Highline. The basic version includes as standard ESP, Climatic, six airbags, electronic parking brake, electro-mechanical power-assisted steering, starting system "Press and Drive" as well as LED turn signals and rear lights. There is also a comprehensive package of optional extras, such as Climatronic, a DVD navigation system, the locking and starting system "Kessy", bi-xenon headlights with bend lighting and cornering lighting functions, an automatic distance control (ADC), a 250 watt Volkswagen sound system or a 600 watt high-end sound system from "Dynaudio" as well as a 230 volt Euro electric socket. In the Passat estate, there is also the electrically-operated tailgate, automatic level control system, an intelligent bicycle transport system and also a practical luggage management package. There are currently six engines available for the Passat. The power ranges from 75 kW/102 bhp to 147 kW/200 bhp Two new engines will be added this year: a 2.0 TDI with 125 kW/170 bhp and a 3.2 l V6 FSI with 4 MOTION four-wheel drive.