I AM biased when it comes to Volkswagen. I am a huge fan of the classic Volkswagen Beetle for its durability, and I adore the Volkswagen Type 2, also known as the Bus or the Kombi, for its versatility.
So you can see why I jumped at the opportunity when Volkswagen sent us an invitation to go on a day trip and test-drive five vehicles from its current lineup. The invitation was titled Art Journey with Volkswagen.
I was the last one to arrive at Naj & Bell in Bangsar, and more than half an hour late. Who knew there was another Naj & Bell in Subang Jaya? Google Maps did.
The generous hosts insisted that I had breakfast. It is going to be a long drive, and they didn’t want me to drive hungry. I appreciated their offer and finished my egg and salmon croissant breakfast, with a side of lemonade, in record time.
Next came the briefing.
We were first split into pairs. We were then told that the first leg of our journey would take us to Bentong, through the scenic route. Along the way, each pair would switch roles as driver and passenger, and later change cars. There would also be games and activities.
After a lunch break, we would then take a more direct route back to Naj & Bell, but not before testing out some of the more extreme capabilities of the Volkswagen and trying our hands on a couple more challenges.
When we walked out to the driveway, five Volkswagen cars were waiting for us: the Passat, the Vento, the new Tiguan, the Beetle, and the new Golf R-Line.
The first car of the day for me and my partner was the Vento. But, before getting into the car, we were asked to pick one toy Volkswagen (of course, I chose a small blue Beetle!) and a list of the three activities we have to complete before the journey ended.
The Vento that we drove is a 1.2TSI which means the engine has a displacement volume of 1.2 litres and has turbocharged straight injection.
To us everyday folk, this translates to more power despite the relatively smaller engine. The Vento can really run fast when it needs to.
Inside, the Vento is decked with tech. The brand has really made sure that the Volkswagen experience is consistent across its lineup of models.
The Vento comes with a multi-function centre console for all your entertainment needs. It could also mirror your smartphone and doubles as your navigation system.
For safety and comfort, there is the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) which we got to test later that day, anti-pinch windows for all four windows, rear air-conditioning vents, and cruise control.
Of the five Volkswagens we drove that day, the Vento was the most standard.
Our next car was the new Tiguan. Did you know that the name Tiguan is a combination of Tiger and Iguana? It is also the tallest car in the group.
The family compact SUV (sport-utility vehicle), as the category implies, is a family car. It feels robust, like a tank, but is agile.
Despite its size, the 1.4TSI engine under the hood was more than enough to keep up with the convoy.
I like how spacious it is and the sheer number of tech and comforts inside the car itself, though I didn’t have the chance to try them all.
What I do know is that I’m a fan of the cooled glovebox – although I didn’t know if I should keep my sunglasses or a can of soda in there.
I admit I suffer from motion sickness when sitting in the passenger seat of a car driving fast up a winding road. But I didn’t have any such problem with the Tiguan.
Perhaps, it was a combination of its stability and its wide and spacious windows that offered a great view of the outside.
Our first task of the day was waiting for us at Sungai Kedondong on the road leading up to Genting Highlands. Once there, two teams were tasked to decorate and colour shoes, while the other two teams were tasked to colour T-shirts. All teams also had to take photos of their toy cars in interesting ways and post them on Instagram.
The third car of the day for us was the Beetle. While it prioritises form over function, it doesn’t sacrifice any of that Volkswagen tech, and instead embraces it.
I especially like how spacious and urban it feels, and how the car’s body colour continues to the dashboard.
It also has a 1.2TSI engine but somehow, it gives a feeling of being more sprightly. I only wish I could have spent more time driving it.
Our convoy took us through small and winding roads. We finally stopped for lunch at a place called A Little Farm on the Hill in Bentong, Pahang. I was impressed at how all the Volkswagen vehicles in convoy, including the Beetle, could climb the hill leading up to the location.
I was also impressed at how the folk from Volkswagen are always able to find such excellent places to eat!
From there, we headed home in the favourite of almost everyone on the trip, the new Golf R-Line. This sporty little piece is the most fun to drive. It’s fast and agile. The most attractive thing about it is all that power is wrapped up in such an understated look.
Rain and traffic caused by the rain slowed our progress to Desa Parkcity where our next task awaited. It also meant that I got to spend more time in the Golf R-Line.
The real driving action began at Desa Parkcity where we took the Volkswagens through a slalom to test their stability and manoeuvrability, and feel firsthand why ABS – which is present in all five vehicles we tested that day – can be a lifesaver in emergencies.
The slalom showed that it doesn’t take much to be in control of your Volkswagen at all times. You just have to stay cool. The ABS test, on the other hand, showed how to avoid accidents in tight situations and the importance of not driving too close to the car ahead of you.
Additionally, two teams were tasked to parallel park in a tight space, while taking advantage of Volkswagen’s ability to apply brakes when it detects a potential collision.
The remaining two teams were tasked with doing something arguably more stringent, but something all drivers should know how to do: changing a car’s tyre.
A brief photoshoot with our toy cars and we were off to our final destination.
Our final car was the Passat. It is the most luxurious of the five models that day. It also has the largest engine and feels the most plush. It is also no slouch when it comes to performance and power.
We returned to Naj & Bell in Bangsar as the sun was ready to set for dinner and our last task, a quiz.
We were asked general questions about the cars we drove that day and the Volkswagen brand in general.
That trip in the five Volkswagen models certainly gave me a greater appreciation of the people’s car.
