It all began in the year 2016. I was at the launch of the eighth generation
Volkswagen Passat, and during the launch sequence, as I saw multiple Passats
whizzing by - as if dancing together, one colour clearly stood out for me, the
Crimson Red. I was mesmerised by how the car glistened under the spotlight when it
took centre stage. Granted, I had seen the car prior to the launch, but not the one
in that metallic shade of crimson.
And so, on that fateful night in November, my love affair with the Passat began.
From then on, and right till my eventual purchase (we will get to that in a bit), I
was lucky enough to be able to drive the Passat extensively. It was usually a
company car, and occasions included plant visits in Pekan and for meetings in Klang
Valley. With its clean lines and solid stance, it is such an elegant vehicle. I was
enormously impressed with how quiet and impeccably solid it felt. Although its
footprint is considerably large, the car felt nimble and was easy to drive. And its
interior - even for a 6-footer like me, there was space for miles!
I had previously relied on public transportation, but the route from my home to the
office was not reliable - so this was a major consideration for me in purchasing a
new car. I decided to take the plunge, and weeks later, became the proud owner of a
brand-new Passat 1.8 TSI Comfort Line … in Crimson Red (of course!)
The dealer did an amazing job to make sure my car was in perfect condition, and
also made it easy for me to register the same digits that has run in my family
since the 90s for the number plate. I was overjoyed. It was an indescribable
feeling, and I spent the weekend devouring the owner's manual page by page and
going through every menu, settings, controls, and features in the car.
And speaking of family, I knew that my achievements would not have been possible
without my parents, so I requested for my mother to bless my "Crimson" instead of
having it done at the temple.
Fast forward to 2021, I've covered almost 35,000km in my Passat, and what a ride it
has been. I feel at home behind the wheel, thanks to its sumptuous leather seats
(with massage function for the driver!) and well-designed ergonomic controls. And
with 1.8TSI engine producing 180PS/250Nm paired to the super smooth 7-speed DSG,
highway cruising in the Passat is an absolute pleasure.
