It snowed a lot last week in southern Bavaria, but we were confidently able to pass out a couple of BMW and Mercedes-Benz saloons, moving along at an almost geriatric speed.
The two prestige German saloons are, of course, rear-wheel-drive which doesn't offer the best traction when there's snow and ice underfoot. Our passing out car was from somewhat humbler stock, a Volkswagen Passat but this was a VW with a difference.
We were in a Passat with 4Motion, a permanent four-wheel-drive system that is available as an option with three versions of the VW family car. Four-wheel-drive has been around for most of the VW model family for over two decades as Syncro and now 4Motion is taking over.
Why buy a Passat with 4Motion when we have little or no snow or ice during winter? There are other compelling reasons like muddy wet roads and enhanced traction in towing operations. VW cite the example of the 2.0TDi model which allows 200kg more in uphill climbing compared to the identically-engined front-wheel-drive car.
Volkswagen people were insisting that even on dry roads 4Motion was a wise and safe option. "It improves cornering forces for better active safety," remarked Jorg Walz. "It never stops working, providing the best possible distribution of force to all four wheels."
Over 256,000 Passat owners have opted for four-wheel-drive. In Germany 4Motion sells for a mere €1,700 but in Ireland the option will be between €3,000 and €3,500 depending on engine size. "It's largely due to higher levels of VAT and VRT here," according to Tom O'Connor, VW's Irish sales manager. He is expecting that around 60 to 85 VW Passat buyers will specify 4Motion in a full year.