Later in 2013, Volkswagen will introduce the main 2.8 litre V6 version, featuring 4MOTION which is just another name for allwheel-drive. Pricing is still to be declared, however Volkswagen assures it'll provide "stunning value for money when compared with other high-performance prestige sedans."

Volkswagen claims the Passat V6 will go more upmarket while the luxury design which eventually it'll be accessible with a V8 engine. There's a Bora station wagon in Europe . nevertheless, it is not meant for Australia at this period.

Features & gear

Both four-cylinder and V5 Boras come with complete lists of ease and security gear.

Auto security is really a top priority with Volkswagen and also the Bora continues the tradition of offering best-in-group safety.

Automatic transmission is, normally enough, also available, although the two test vehicles were both manuals. Concerning the sole choices available are a power-controlled glass sunroof ($1,990) and metallic paint finish ($990).

Body & end

Consistent with modern automobile making processes, the Bora shares its fundamental 'platform' with other vehicles. These contain the Skoda Octavia, the Audi A3 and TT, the new Beetle and also the Golf.

The styling of the Bora is tidy and practical, free of unneeded adornments, and with a fairly sporty appearance, like the BMW 3-series or a Lexus IS200.

Everything about the Bora feels well-crafted and solid; the doors close solidly and there isn't any evidence of any body motion over rough or irregular surfaces. Volkswagen claims the Bora's body has 15 percent higher torsional rigidity when compared to a Golf which it meets or surpasses all security requirements worldwide.

Extended body life is guaranteed by complete galvanising of the parts and shell. Your body has a 12-year guarantee against rust perforation.

Comfort & room

With the Bora, compact in the exterior also means compact in the interior and it is restricted for adults in the rear seat, though front occupants have loads of legroom. In Addition, back seat width is better suited to 2, instead of three occupants.

The Bora's rear door shells go well past the door handles and travellers must be cautious not to hit themselves in the torso region when opening the rear doors.

The seats are firmly padded and at first feel unnecessarily difficult, nevertheless both vehicles became comfortable over a complete day's driving.

The boot itself is usefully big and well designed, although the boot opening isn't especially huge.

Driving

With ample seat travel, an easily-controlled seat height adjustment, the tilt and telescopic steering-wheel plus a good size left foot rest, Bora motorists of numerous shapes and sizes shouldn't have some trouble finding an appropriate and powerful driving position.

Some details of the control layout might look somewhat unusual to all those used to Japanese automobiles, but when you become familiar with it it is successful. In keeping with all present Volkswagens, the instrument panel has blue illumination with reddish highlights; it is obvious and refreshingly different to see through the night.

The mechanically activating rain sensing windscreen wipers of the version are an especially useful function and were valued during the occasional rain showers that happened during our testing.

Traveling

The end result is the fact that both manual evaluation automobiles felt responsive when called to hasten in either town traffic or in the freeway, although the V5 was the stronger performer overall (as could be likely).

At highway speeds in fifth gear, both vehicles are caught their finest torque engine speed, together with the end result that lots of hills could be ascended with no need to change gears.

This translated into fairly great open road fuel-economy, using the four cylinder auto using just 7.7 litres/100 km in these types of circumstances and the V5 using 8.6 litres/100 km. The disadvantage is the fact that the higher priced premium grade petrol is specified for the two engines.

Taking care of that wasn't quite so remarkable with both evaluation cars was their hesitation to begin off easily on the steeply inclined drive. A runup was required to negotiate this special drive that most other automobiles manage without issue.

The manual gearbox in both evaluation automobiles proved enjoyable and relatively easy to utilize, and also the ratios are suitable for the engine features.

In certain circumstances, sound levels in both vehicles were somewhat higher than could have been anticipated in a prestige vehicle. Resources contained motor noise when revved, air-conditioning compressor whine and some equipment noise in low equipment. Both vehicles were comparatively silent when cruising at a constant rate.

With its wider - section lowerprofile tyres, the V5 version feels a bit sharper in its steering and handling result in relation to the four cylinder auto, nevertheless as stable, capable handlers both price.

The blend of four-wheel discs (ventilated in the front), the latest in antilocking gear pressure distribution, supplies brake and electronic these Boras with strong, effective braking. But, it is irritating to get the nice looking alloy wheels fast soiled with brake dust.

Outline

Priced and equipped to compete within the streamlined stature auto section, the brand new Bora sedan impresses with its quality, its amounts of relaxation, security and protection, and its own agreeable driving characteristics within nearly all conditions.

Of both test vehicles, the V5 version was favored because of its stronger performance and also the crisper sense of its own steering and its own handling, nevertheless the 2.0 litre four-cylinder design gives the same top quality end, still includes a complete variety of standard products, and expenses $8,000 less.