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^ this is why I keep repeating that diesels are the long term solution. When all the dinosaur leftovers are gone, one can still commute for a week on the leftovers from the local McDs fryer.
It's a car I never considered, as the CC is much better looking. But in 4Motion with some grunt it would be good. But living inEurope (with an eventual statesidemove), the US spec models are not a good deal pricewise.
That was fairly quick. Really loved the Passat when I was looking last year. Wish I could have waited for a 14 where there's a lot more standard features that weren't there on the 13. The car drove and rode beautifully. Still have a bit of regret not getting it.
With the debut of the new Passat, Volkswagen is revealing a design that combines stylish clarity with a high level of impressive power. Clarity and power - these two elements merge on the exterior of the eighth-generation VolkswagenPassat to create a design that conveys exclusivity. A design that is not simply fashionable, but is contemporary. A design that is not whimsical, but is expressive. A design in which every line has a purpose. A design that will be influential in its era. While preserving all of its functional virtues, the Passat has gained noticeably in presence, exclusivity and dynamism. In the new Passat, Volkswagen has made a saloon car and an estate car with clarity and power that bridge to a higher class. As the most successful German business car, the Passat represents a new type of business class - a transition car between the mid- and premium classes and between the B and C segments.
Stylistic evolution of a model series
Volkswagen has been perfecting the Passat for over four decades. Internally, the now eight generations carry the designations B1 through B8. At Volkswagen, the B stands for the B-segment to which the Passat belongs (mid-class cars), and the number indicates the car's generation. In retrospect, the car's styling was primarily influenced by the B1, the original model of 1973, and all of the generations from the B5 (1996) onward. Volkswagen introduced a paradigm shift in the Passat B5. While all previous Passat generations were balanced multi-talented cars that offered a high level of comfort, very good everyday features and above-average space, with this generation the quality and design made a leap forward, positioning the Passat in the top league of its class and making it the most successful business car. This path was consistently and successfully followed up by the B6 (from 2005) and the B7 (from 2010). Currently, the Passat - including its derivatives that were individually tailored for the Chinese and American markets - is, as noted, the most successful car of the brand and the Group with over 1.1 million units produced.
In light of this history of success, Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen Head of Design, and his team posed the following question as they began to work on the B8: "What do we need to do to make a world's best-selling car even more visually attractive? There was a clear answer: "Breathtaking proportions." The team was able to realize this goal more consistently than ever, because an entirely new design platform was made available for the Passat for the first time in the modular transverse matrix (MQB). Although it is nearly as long as the previous model, the car's wheelbase grew by a considerable 79 mm; the front and rear wheels were made larger and are now positioned further out to the sides, making it possible to shorten the body overhangs significantly. At the same time, the Passat was made lower and wider. Because of the optimised engine orientation, it was possible to significantly lower the bonnet and shift the windscreen towards the rear. This "cab backward design" with mature saloon proportions resulted in a very long bonnet look with the impression of a premium-class model. It was also clear that the new Passat should get dynamic proportions. But that did not define the entire style of the design, the orientation. Klaus Bischoff: "In the new Passat we wanted to make a formal jump to the next higher vehicle class. Our objective was to sculpturally develop the potential of this vehicle into a business saloon. What was important for me was to develop significant design themes that radiate an impressive visual presence and express the powerful sporty character of the new Passat."
Dimensions
The Saloon is 4,767 mm long and therefore 2 mm shorter than the previous model. At the same time, its wheelbase was lengthened by the aforementioned 79 mm to 2,791 mm. The front wheels were shifted 29 mm towards the front bumper, and the rear wheels 17 mm towards the rear bumper (the occupant cell was lengthened by 33 mm). The result: shorter body overhangs (67 mm less at front, 13 mm less at rear). At the same time, the Passat was made 14 mm lower (1,456 mm) and 12 mm wider (1,832 mm). These dimensions enabled a ratio of proportions that provided ideal conditions for creating a design that was as powerful as it was exclusive.
Side profile with a distinctive character line
Those encountering the new VolkswagenPassat for the first time will notice that the car is not a typical mid-class car based on its design; the style would also be appropriate for a car in the upper mid-class or premium class. The exclusive image of the new Passat was achieved in part by a wide variety of extremely precisely drawn edges and creases which develop individual light-reflecting surfaces. Especially distinctive in side profile is the area between the window sill (beneath the side windows) and what is known as the character line (at the height of the door handles). Here, the creases and edges in the upper area of the side panels merge to form a horizontal surface from which - viewed from front to back - the distinctive and athletic shoulder section of the Passat develops. The character line starts at the front as a lengthening of the upper headlight border into the wing, and then it is briefly interrupted by the prominent front wheel arch and then rises slightly but continuously as an actual shoulder line toward the rear (the windows and roof pillars slope inwards as on a sports car). Adding tension: Between the window sill and the character line there is an alternation of light surfaces. This modulation is subdivided into two areas. The upper area at the front of the wing forms a wide concave surface which becomes progressively narrower towards the C-pillar of the Saloon or the D-pillar of the Estate like a tapering triangle. Beneath this, there is an area that runs in the opposite direction; it starts wide at the rear as a powerfully arched shoulder section and runs forward, also as a tapering triangle; this makes the side of the car appear more wedge-shaped than it actually is. The shoulder line and the powerful rear wheel arch are emphasised maximally by this intensive interplay of light and shadow surfaces.
High-end precision - also in production
The designers placed the door handles directly on the character line that gets another crease - a highly precise sculpting that requires production methods that are equally precise. And so far this know-how is a unique proposition by Volkswagen. Beneath the character line are the door surfaces that flare outward and the dominant wheel arches. At the very bottom, the side profile is bordered by the shaped side sills. Between the door surfaces and the transition into the side sills there is another crease with an alternation of curvature that once again generates a muscular light surface. This light surface is continued along the sides and into the rear bumper. Elegant: wrap-around chrome trim at the height of the side sill (from the "Highline"). The interplay of lines and light surfaces significantly lowers the height of the new Passat visually; as a result, the Saloon and Estate look much lower than they really are. Last but not least, another crease above the side windows and the wrap-around chrome trim of the long window surface (from the "Comfortline") and a double edge in the roof area all contribute towards this sporty and exclusive overall impression. As a result, when people look at the car they are certain, based on the extended volume of the side section, that the new Passat has been made significantly longer. In fact, however, it is 2 mm shorter than the previous model.
Front end has unmistakable presence
The new Passat arrives on the market with a completely re-designed generation of front ends. The radiator grille is designed to be significantly larger than the headlights. In all three equipment versions (Trendline, Comfortline, Highline) it is upgraded by four chrome bars. On the sides, these bars bend inward towards the headlights in a trapezoid shape. The lowermost chrome bar of the grille is continued into the headlights. Above the grille and the headlights there is another chrome accent which extends across the entire width of the front end, and it is continued laterally in the character line (from "Highline"). In general, the headlights and the grille follow Volkswagen design DNA with their clear horizontal alignment, and they meld into a horizontal unit more than ever. Nonetheless, the designers did not rely on the width alone, but intentionally worked in parallel with diagonal angles to generate an impressive, prominent and unmistakable front-end image.
A face in the crowd
The "face" itself - the cross-bar made up of the grille and headlights - reinforces the superior image of the Passat with its strong presence. The upper chrome bar of the Passat Highline further reinforces this dynamic effect. Distinctive is the bending edge beneath the grille and the headlights with a light surface that follows the upper course of the radiator and headlights as a line. The contours of the radiator grille and the headlights are reflected in the lower bumper area. The fog lights are each arranged on the outside.
LED headlights from the "Highline"
Volkswagen developed an entirely new lighting design for the eighth-generation Passat. The car is being offered with halogen and LED headlights. In particular, the LED headlights that are offered in two versions create an unmistakable look.
LED headlights (level 1)
The newly developed all-LED headlights with reflector technology offered by Volkswagen represent the base level of a lighting system that is replacing xenon headlights in the Passat. The daytime running lights also use LED technology. The main areas of the daytime running lights also assume a turn indicator function. Twelve LEDs are used here which can be operated in white or yellow. The signature of the daytime running lights is unmistakable together with the two "eyes" in the reflectors.
LED headlights (level 2)
At the next level, Volkswagen offers all-LED headlights with projection technology in the Passat. Arranged next to one another, two exceptionally low-profile lens modules project the light onto the road and generate a type of illumination that is similar to daylight. The centrepiece of these headlights is the outer multi-beam lens module. In addition to the dipped beam and main beam lights (with adaptive country road and motorway lighting), it also generates the dynamic cornering lights. Meanwhile, the inner flat-beam lens module is responsible for what is known as near-field illumination. Another highlight of the projection LED headlights is the daytime running lights with 32 LEDs. Their signature consists of two separate modules; one large "U" (which incorporates both lens modules) and one small "U", which frames the contour of the multi-beam lens module. Beneath each daytime running light, the broad indicator (12 LEDs) emphasises the light design of the headlight. In addition, the LEDs for the static turning light are located on the inside of the headlight.
LED headlights (level 2 plus Dynamic Light Assist)
In the top version, the all-LED projection headlight is also controlled via a vehicle camera. For the first time, Volkswagen is combining Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control) and LED technology. The camera detects vehicles ahead and oncoming vehicles, and it compares the data with the headlight electronics; it coordinates the light distribution via the control unit for the cornering light and the swivelling multi-beam lens module.
Rear section
Immediately noticeable at the rear is that the cab has a strong inward sweep, as on a sports car, and at the bottom it transitions into the wide, flared shoulder section. The rear lights have been made considerably wider and leaner. In this area, the Saloon looks like a young sibling of the Phaeton with its large boot lid surface. Especially distinctive is the crease beneath the rear lights that extends across the rear. Under this edge, the rear body draws inward - the upper part of the rear protrudes more above the bumper than below it. Designers used this trick to exploit the greatest possible length in the rear body while still satisfying the guidelines of numerous insurance classifications that prescribe a specific deformation area in the bumper area.
Trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe trim panels
A love for details is a common thread that runs through the new Passat. One example is found at the rear of versions with larger engines: the trapezoidal chrome trim panels that are integrated to be flush with the rear bumper. The rear reflectors - trapezoidal like the tailpipes - were also worked into the bumper in an extremely precise fashion. In turn, they precisely define the termination point of the wrap-around chrome trim strip that is included from the Passat Highline. The Saloon and Estate both have these small yet refined details. The two body versions exhibit differences at the rear - beyond those directly related to the different body types - such as the positioning of the licence plate frame: This frame is in the bumper on the Saloon, while it is on the tailgate on the Estate.
Rear lights (level 1)
The new Passat will be launched with all-LED rear lights. In two versions: a standard version and a top version. Both versions of the lights are two-piece and extend from the boot lid or tailgate into the side body panels. In the standard rear lights, the tail light and brake light functions as well as the indicators are performed in the outer part of the light modules. The inner segment (boot lid) integrates the reversing lights along with the tail lights and rear fog lights.
Rear lights (level 2)
The lighting design of the top version is extremely distinctive. The functionality of these LED rear lights is visible while braking. In this case, the horizontal light signature switches over to a vertically oriented brake light signature - it is generated by two lines in the outer segment and one vertical line in the inner segment. The visual effect is of a flip-flop from the horizontal tail lights to the vertical brake light signature. The alternation of visual cues makes other drivers more aware of the brake lights, contributing to traffic safety. Along with the tail lights and brake lights, the outer rear light modules also integrate the indicator light. Functions in the inner module (boot lid) are the tail light, brake light, reversing light and high rear fog light. These LED rear lights are also available in an optional smoked version ("R-Line").
Exclusive atmosphere
Analogous to the elaborately designed exterior, the interior designers developed an interior whose aesthetics, clarity and high value are a match for the sophisticated overall concept of the eighth generation VolkswagenPassat. Due to numerous new design solutions, precisely executed details and innovative technologies such as an Active Info Display and a Head-Up display, the interior is more avant-garde, distinctive and multifaceted than ever. The modular transverse matrix made it possible to further improve interior space as well. Although the new Passat is 2 mm shorter than the previous model, interior length has grown by 33 mm. Cargo capacities have also increased. In the Estate, cargo capacity is increased by 47 to 650 litres; when the bootspace is filled to the roof, cargo capacity grows to 1,780 litres. In the Saloon cargo capacity increased by 21 to 586 litres.
Horizontal ventilation strip
The goal defined when development began of creating a feeling of lightness and generous space in the interior was realised by the designers with a lean dashboard with a consistent horizontal structure, and the front door panels are stylistically incorporated into this design. The central design element of the dashboard is an innovative air vent that extends across the entire width of the interior like a band and is designed as a functional decorative element. So there are no separately placed air nozzles in the new Passat, rather one continuous element that is only interrupted by the instruments and the analogue clock in the middle of the dashboard - it consistently unifies form and function. The clear architectural character is created by the impressive length of the chrome fins integrated in the air vents and a decorative panel integrated beneath it. The dimensions of the air vent not only affect the design of the dashboard; they also have a positive effect on climate control performance and ventilation acoustics.
Stylish ambient lighting
Beneath the air vent and the decorative panel there is an extremely low-profile ambient light strip that continues into the doors. Its wrap-around lighting effect defines the space and creates a pleasant mood. This staging begins when the central locking system is opened by wireless remote control or by Keyless Access. In this case, the central lighting unit in the headlining dims first and immerses the centre console in a warm light; immediately thereafter, the inside door handles are illuminated, and the wrap-around ambient light as a narrow, fine strip in the dashboard and door panels is activated (the three available colours "Cyan", "White" and "Amber" and the intensity can be set from the "CAR" menu in the infotainment system). At nearly the same time, the footwell is also immersed in an orientation light. As soon as the ignition is activated, the wrap-around ambient lighting and the illumination of instruments and switches are dominant; all other light sources are dimmed to an individually preset level. When the ignition is shut off, all light sources are ramped up again to simplify orientation.
Driver-oriented architecture
The designers placed special value on a driver-oriented design and a very spacious feeling of the front interior area. Therefore, starting from the seating position of the driver, the dashboard builds upwards in the space to the two sides of the instruments, inclined slightly towards the windscreen. This creates a spacious feeling as well as an ideal ergonomic landscape. The centre console also has en extremely clean layout, is well organised, and the controls are easy to access. The infotainment system is integrated high on the console and is easy to see; the climate controls are positioned beneath it. Since the console between the driver and front passenger has a sporty incline up towards the infotainment system, the gear shift gate is up high, and the gear shift grip is in an ideal ergonomic position.
Active Info Display
In the Passat, Volkswagen is launching an instrument cluster that has been designed as a full interactive display: the Active Info Display. All instruments are implemented virtually via software. Only the icon lights at the lower border of the display are still implemented in hardware. Navigation information can be shown in 2D or 3D views on a 12.3-inch display. Its resolution of 1,440 x 540 pixels enables extremely precise, high-quality graphics and interactive display of all details. Take the Navigation mode, for instance: Here the speedometer and tachometer are relocated to the sides in order to create more space for the map. Information on driving, navigation and assistance functions can be integrated into the graphic areas of the speedometer and tachometer as needed. Data that is displayed on the centre console via the infotainment system, such as phone contact pages or CD covers, can also be shown in the Active Info Display in the Passat. Volkswagen is offering the Active Info Display as an optional alternative to analogue instruments.
Head-up display
The new Passat will now also be the first Volkswagen to have a Head-Up display. It projects important information, such as vehicle speed or navigation pictograms, directly into the driver's primary visual field. Thanks to the projection of the Head-Up display, the driver's eyes can remain focused on the road while reading data such as vehicle speed. Reaction time can also be significantly reduced by projecting warning messages directly into the driver's visual field. The Head-Up display of the Passat is a "combined solution": the data is projected onto an extending glass panel before the windscreen. Developers succeeded in attaining the same display quality as in much more expensive windscreen systems. When it is not in use, the display can be lowered into the dashboard to protect it, and the opening is closed flush to the dashboard surface. To the driver's eyes, the projected data appears to be displayed around two metres in front of the Passat. The results: because drivers do not have to shift their gaze back and forth between the instruments and the street nearly as often, they do not have to constantly refocus their eyes, and this reduces eye fatigue. The Head-Up display is activated by a separate control next to the rotary light switch. The driver can decide - from the menu of the infotainment system - which information should be displayed: momentary speed, speed limit, navigation instructions, information on assistance systems or warnings.
Networked assistance systems introduce new era of safety
New assistance, infotainment and convenience systems make individual mobility more sustainable, networked, communicative, driving-active and even safer. The Passat - Germany's most successful business car - has advanced to create a new business class whose technologies overcome segment boundaries. These technologies include - along with the Active Info Display (a completely digital instrument cluster), extending Head-Up display, new Rear Seat Entertainment system for table computers, Front Assist plus City Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Emergency Assist (stops vehicle in emergency), Trailer Assist (assisted manoeuvring with a trailer) and a new traffic jam assistant.
Infotainment component system
The new Passat is launching with second-generation infotainment systems from Volkswagen. The latest systems of this modular infotainment platform (MIB) enables a maximum degree of connectivity in coupling to external devices. Its various interfaces include an interface to smart phones and related apps via MirrorLink™. The infotainment systems also have faster processors (optimised booting, quicker route calculation, smoother touchscreen performance, perfected voice dialogues) and new displays with higher resolution (in the 6.5-inch systems). The range of devices consists of the 5-inch systems "Composition Touch" and "Composition Colour", the 6.5-inch systems "Composition Media" and "Discover Media" (plus navigation) with four-times better resolution (6.5-inch compared to 5.8-inch first-generation display) and the latest version of the 8.0-inch "Discover Pro" radio-navigation system.
External interfaces in detail
Even with the "Composition Touch", music can be fed into the system via either an AUX-IN connector, SD card or optionally via a USB stick and Bluetooth. An iPod/iPhone interface is also available. From the "Composition Colour" system, a CD drive is also integrated, and from the "Composition Media" a Bluetooth, SD card and USB interface are supplied as standard. The "Discover Media" system (entry-level navigation system) can also be equipped with WLAN as an option. In the "Discover Pro" - the top navigation system - features include the premium mobile phone interface (rSAP profile), a DVD drive and an optional TV tuner. MirrorLink™ is an option offered for the "Composition Media" or "Discover Media", and it is standard in the "Discover Pro" system.
Car-Net: basic functions
Car-Net is offered for the Passat in combination with the "Discover Media" and "Discover Pro" radio-navigation systems. This sub-brand that was introduced in 2014 incorporates mobile online services. For instance, Car-Net makes it possible to integrate "Traffic Information Online" into dynamic route guidance and to incorporate public and personalised Points of Interest (POI) into navigation. In addition, it will be possible to incorporate 360-degree panoramic images from a street perspective into the displayed image via "Google Street View" and to call up a realistic photographic map display based on the Google Earth™ map service (Google Maps). Other new content in the "Discover Media" and "Discover Pro" systems includes the functions "Parking space information" (number of available spaces in parking garages including location), "Fuel station prices" (current fuel prices including location), "Weather", "News" and "Vehicle status report" (e.g. maintenance information). Also new: "POI and destination input"; from the "Discover Media" destinations and POIs may be selected via PC, tablet or smart phone, and they can later be transferred to the navigation system.
Rear Seat Entertainment
The wide variety of devices that can be integrated in the new Passat includes tablets. New possibilities are created by the ability to network external devices with the car's infotainment system via WLAN. The integration of a new kind of Rear Seat Entertainment, for instance. The key here is an app that makes the infotainment system and tablet compatible. Via WLAN the tablets can access many different functions of the "Discover Media" and "Discover Pro" systems. To optimise operating convenience or to view movies comfortably, Volkswagen offers a tablet holder as an accessory for the Passat; it also supplies the device with power.
Area View
The camera-based Area View, which gives the driver a view of the car's surroundings, celebrated its world premiere in the Touareg in 2010. The system was developed to enable a 360-degree overview of the near surroundings and the traffic situation. The system was significantly advanced for the new Passat. Volkswagen is implementing the new generation of Area View for the first time in the Passat. The system is distinguished by extended functional features, higher camera resolution, obstacle detection and new 3D bird's eye view perspectives.
Park Assist
Park Assist enables semi-automatic parking in parking spaces parallel or perpendicular to the road. It can also back the car out of parallel parking spaces. With perpendicular parking spaces, the system not only assists in parking the car in reverse; it can also semi-automatically park in a forward direction.
Trailer Assist
Driving in reverse with a trailer is a challenge even for drivers who are experienced in this. Volkswagen is the world's first carmaker to market an assistance system that makes manoeuvring a trailer easier than ever: Trailer Assist. To back a trailer into an entryway from the street, all the driver needs to do is stop at a suitable spot and engage reverse gear. The system is activated by pushing a button. Then the current driving angle and possible driving angles are displayed in the instrument cluster. This is done by processing data from the rear view camera via image processing algorithms that evaluate the observed pivot angle of the trailer. In this assistant, the mirror adjustment switch serves as a sort of joystick, and the driver can use it to adjust the desired driving direction of the car-trailer combination. The Passat follows the steering commands given by the driver via the mirror adjustment switch, and the driver only needs to operate the accelerator pedal and the brakes. The driving direction of the Passat is set by automatic control of the electromechanical servo steering system. It is always possible to make a correction via the mirror adjustment control.
Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert
This system can make a contribution towards avoiding serious accidents, in two situations in particular. First, on the motorway, because it detects quickly overtaking vehicles and slow vehicles in the blind spot, warns the driver and thereby makes overtaking safer. If the camera-based Lane Assist is installed in addition to Side Assist, the system responds to a steering movement towards the hazardous side with a warning stage (even of the turn indicator is not set), and the vehicle actively countersteers when a lane change is initiated. Second: When backing out of a parking space. The reasons: Rear Traffic Alert revolutionises backing out of parking spaces perpendicular to the carriageway in reverse. The radar-based sensor module detects vehicles that are approaching from the side. In case of an imminent collision, Rear Traffic Alert first outputs a visual warning then an acoustic warning. If the driver ignores the hazard, and there is high risk of collision, Rear Traffic Alert automatically initiates a brake intervention.
Traffic Assist
Volkswagen developed its Traffic Assist based on Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The system makes driving in traffic jams or stop-and-go traffic much more comfortable. The foundation for the system is an adaptive lane tracking function at speeds below 60 km/h. The system not only makes countersteering corrections when the car is leaving the lane; rather, Lane Assist continually keeps the Passat in the centre of the lane by means of adaptive lane tracking. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is another assistance system that is integrated in Traffic Assist. Because when ACC is active it automatically handles braking and accelerator pedal including at stop-and-go traffic speeds. ACC and Lane Assist merge to form Traffic Assist: The system enables assisted transverse and longitudinal tracking. The car automatically steers, accelerates and brakes, but under the condition that drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel and participate in steering, so that they can intervene at any time.
Emergency Assist
Another system in which Lane Assist and ACC merge to create a new assistance system is Emergency Assist: as soon as the sensors detect that the driver is not exhibiting any steering, braking or acceleration activities, the system initiates various escalation stages of arousing the driver awake, and if the driver is still inactive it initiates an emergency stop. The hazard lights unit is automatically activated, and the Passat executes a slight steering manoeuvre to make surrounding traffic aware of the hazardous situation. ACC prevents the vehicle from colliding with traffic ahead. Emergency Assist from Volkswagen is the first system of its kind in the world. Moreover, in any Passat with an integrated mobile phone interface, the "Euro emergency phone number 112" can be called via "SOS emergency call" over the infotainment system, to place a call to an emergency response dispatcher in case of an emergency. This requires a phone coupled to the infotainment system via Bluetooth or an active SIM card in the "Premium" mobile phone interface.
Front Assist with City Emergency Braking
Front Assist is a system for warning and automatic braking in case of an imminent collision. One system component of Front Assist is City Emergency Braking. While Front Assist warns of insufficient space to vehicles ahead in traffic and frontal collision hazards at higher speeds and automatically brakes the vehicle if necessary, the City Emergency Braking function performs this role in urban traffic. Until now, the Emergency Braking system could only detect vehicles. In the new Passat, the more advanced system also recognises pedestrians for the first time. Front Assist with City Emergency Braking is another example of democratisation of driver assistance systems, because Volkswagen already offers this technology as standard from the Passat Comfortline.
Progressive steering
Progressive steering lets the Passat driver steer with smaller steering wheel inputs and fewer turns of the steering wheel to achieve a desired bend radius in turning. This means that the driver does not have to reach over the steering wheel as much in tight turns. In the new Passat, progressive steering is being offered in combination with a sport chassis or dynamic chassis control (DCC). With progressive steering, it takes 2.1 turns of the steering wheel to reach the end position; without the optional system it is 2.75 turns. Progressive steering enables more precise and relaxed driving in the middle steering angles up to high speeds. On country roads with lots of bends, and when making turns, the driver experiences a plus in dynamics due to the more direct layout. At slow speeds, such as in the city or in parking, the Passat offers significantly easier handling thanks to the small steering inputs that are required.
Easy Close
Easy Open - the counterpart of Easy Close - was introduced in the seventh-generation Passat Estate in 2010. If the car is equipped with Keyless Access (automatic locking and engine starting system), a purposeful movement of the foot at the back of the vehicle is all that is needed to open the boot. The human-machine interface here is a proximity sensor near the bumper, which detects the virtual kick movement. In the eighth-generation Passat Estate this automatic boot lid opening function is now being supplemented by the Easy Close closing function. The Estate's boot lid does not close until the person with the Passat key moves away from the back of the car; this gives the person an opportunity to conveniently remove luggage or shopping goods from the boot beforehand. The vehicle is also locked automatically. The closing function is activated by a double button in the boot lid.
Volkswagen’s version of the Passat the rest of the world enjoys has just been redesigned and will appear for the first time at this week’s 2014 Paris Auto Show. The new Passat, which still offers sedan and wagon bodystyles, debuts with new engines, less weight and the latest assistance, infotainment and convenience systems. It also debuts with a new plug-in hybrid variant dubbed the Passat GTE.
VW has already shown a version of its Golf with the GTE badge, short for Grand Touring Electric, and now the car is set to be joined by the Passat GTE. The powertrain of the Passat GTE is similar to the one in the Golf GTE, as is its MQB platform. The powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder enginepaired with a disc-shaped electric motor integrated with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.
The engine is rated at 154 horsepower and the electric motor at 113 hp, and when combined they deliver a peak output of 215 hp. Peak torque, meanwhile, registers at 295 pound-feet. By comparison, the Golf GTE is rated 201 hp and 258 lb-ft.
Drive is to the front wheels only, and on electric power alone the Passat GTE can drive about 31 miles on a single charge of its 9.9-kWh lithium-ion battery. The final figure will depend largely on the level of brake energy regeneration. With a full tank of gas and a full charge of the battery, owners can expect a total of range of about 622 miles.
Unique elements for the exterior of the Passat GTE include a distinct front bumper, blue accents in the grille, GTE badges, and eight-spoke 17-inch alloys. The interior is similar to that of the standard Passat but it gets a few sporty elements (VW’s GTE models sit alongside its GTI and GTD performance variants) as well as some hybrid-specific elements in the touchscreen display. These include a driving range monitor, an energy flow display, zero emission statistics and e-manager that allows you to program departure and charging times.
The Passat GTE goes on sale in Europe in 2015. Although the U.S.-spec Passat undergoes a major update for the 2016 model year, it’s unlikely to offer a GTE variant. That may change, however, when it eventually switches over to the MQB platform for its own redesign towards the end of the decade.
Obviously, the reveal of the Passat isn't why the automotive universe is talking about Volkswagen these days.
That said, the show must go on, and the company revealed its 2016 Passat at an event in Brooklyn, New York on Monday night. The mid-size sedan gets new front and rear clips aimed at giving it a more aggressive appearance, though the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Up front, the hood has a pronounced bulge, the headlights are narrower, and the grille's four bars are thicker. The trunk, window arches and bumpers also get some new chrome bits. LED head- and taillights—the first on a VW sedan—round out the exterior changes.
Another first is the availability of a sporty R-Line variant of the Passat, which will feature unique rocker panels, a distinctive black-accented grille and a new rear diffuser, along with 19-inch wheels.
Under the hood, three engine options will be available, the 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder, the 3.6-liter V-6 VR6, and yes, the 2.0-liter TDIturbocharged four-cylinder diesel.
More pronounced differences are found inside the cabin, which features a new instrument panel and center stack, including a standard rearview camera. A touchscreen utilizing VW's MIB II infotainment is also standard, and it will allow for swiping and pinch-zooming, as is found on mobile phones. Proximity sensors—which sense hand position—will help keep the system in a state of readiness, and the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also contribute to the passenger compartment's updated feel.
Available driver aids include Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, and a Parking Steering Assistant.
When equipped with the 1.8 TSI and an automatic transmission, the 2016 Passat will start at $22,440, not including destination. Full EPA figures haven't been announced, but early estimates put the 1.8-liter models at 38 MPG on the highway.
Pricing for high-spec models will be revealed before the end of the year.
Testing the Passat's new base engine and six-cylinder GT model
The Volkswagen Passat competes against talented rivals including the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, yet the 2018 model is essentially the same midsize sedan that won our coveted Motor Trend Car of the Year award way back in 2012—that's a lifetime in today's car market. Sparking some life back into the lineup, Volkswagen updated the Passat with a new base engine and a fresh V-6-powered GT model for 2018. So is this former Motor-Trend-favorite still a viable option against the redesigned Camry and Accord? We recently spent some time with R-Line and GT models, and it's not hard to see where the Passat currently stands.
Volkswagen claims the Passat's updated base turbocharged engine—which grew from 1.8 liters to 2.0 liters—is more powerful and efficient. EPA numbers agree. The new 2.0-liter delivers 25/36 mpg city/highway, up from the 1.8's 23/34 mpg. The new engine produces 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, up 4 hp from the 2017 model. Unfortunately, the extra horsepower didn't make a difference at the track. Our R-Line trim tester hit 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, 0.4 seconds behind a 2016 SEL 1.8T model we've tested. It was a similar story in the quarter-mile run.
On the other hand, the 280-hp GT is quick; it hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, tying a more loaded V-6-powered 2016-model-year Passat SEL we've tested. The 2018 Passat GT's quarter-mile run of 14.4 seconds at 98.0 mph is almost identical to the 2016 SEL's run of 14.3 seconds at 98.8 mph.
For a little perspective, the Accord, equipped with its base 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, hit 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, over half a second quicker than the 2018 Passat 2.0T. With Honda's optional 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, the Accord hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and tied the GT's quarter-mile time. The Accord's engines are more fuel efficient, though (29/35 mpg for automatic-transmission Sport and Touring 1.5T models and 30/38 mpg for automatic LX and EX models). Road test editor Chris Walton noted that the two 2018 Passats' acceleration times might have been quicker if the power-cutting stability control was defeatable. Around town, the R-Line's 2.0-liter feels quick at residential street-level speeds thanks to good throttle response and plenty of low-end torque, but on the highway, the 174-hp engine struggles to get the 3,354-pound sedan to speed.
The Passat's braking feel should be better and could be improved by making it more linear. Initial bite is weak, but once you get about halfway through the pedal, it quickly becomes strong. This can cause a lot of unintentional and unsettling quick stops during daily driving. Nonetheless, stopping power is adequate. The R-Line and GT stopped from 60 mph in 126 and 122 feet, respectively. With its base and optional engines, the Accord's stopping distance is 135 and 116 feet, and the Camry's is 122 and 123 feet. On both Passats, Walton noted the VWs had a "squishy pedal, hard tires, very little initial bite (actual delay), but excellent fade resistance."
Most drivers will be pleased with how the Passat handles, but for those who like to have fun on twisty roads, neither model inspires much confidence (sorry, GT). The steering is nicely weighted but not precise. Body roll is plentiful, even on the GT model. Still, the chassis is pretty solid, providing enough control for daily driving duties. On our figure-eight course, testing director Kim Reynolds felt a little underwhelmed and said, "It's a pleasant, agile car, but VW's historic edge in terms of sheer handling quality isn't much of an edge anymore. In fact, these cars might easily pale compared to an Accord in terms of driving sportiness." The Passat's platform is showing its age here, but surprisingly, its figure-eight performance is on par with the Camry and Accord.
On the highway, plenty of outside noise seeps into the cabin, and handling at higher speeds only seems to get sloppier. The Passat handled fine during normal highway driving, but I almost never took a long, sweeping highway curve fast—it was a little scary (even in the GT). The more affordable, subcompact Honda Fit Sport hatchback and full-size Toyota Avalon Touring sedan I reviewed earlier this year both provided more confidence during high-speed maneuvers.
The dated VW platform also demonstrates its age gap during stop-and-go driving. And when the engine hits a certain low rpm, it emits a vibration throughout the entire car along with an annoying droning sound. It only lasts a few seconds and disappears when the transmission shifts, but this really shouldn't happen in a car at this price point. In the R-Line, another annoyance happens during the shift from park to drive or reverse (and vice versa). If you shift when you're on an incline or decline, the car will roll during the transmission's very slow gear engagement if you lift off the brake too soon. It's not a good feeling when you're trying to park on a hill, forcing you to leave your foot on the brake pedal longer than you should.
When it comes to safety, the Passat does fine but doesn't excel. Like the Camry and Accord, the Passat earned the highest five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. But things change in IIHS testing. The Camry earned the institution's highest rating of Top Safety Pick+, and the Accord is considered a Top Safety Pick (though it doesn't get a "+") for 2018. Although the Passat earned the highest rating of Good in five crash tests, the second-lowest score of Marginal for the passenger-side small overlap test kept it from being a Top Safety Pick. For the front crash prevention test, the Passat also lagged behind the Camry and Accord's top Superior rating with a lower score of Advanced for avoiding a collision in a 12-mph test but not reducing speed in a 25-mph collision.
Value is one area where the Passat excels. The sporty-looking R-Line model starts at $25,890 and comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leatherette seating, R-Line interior trim, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a 6.3-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (the latter not offered on the Camry), and unique R-Line bumpers, grille, exterior trim, rear spoiler, and badging. The Camry's and Accord's sporty trims (like the R-Line) start slightly higher at $26,270 and $26,675, respectively, but both of those cars include LED headlights. The Passat's optional lighting package (LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights) takes the sticker price of our tester to $27,085.
With a starting price of $30,040, the Passat GT is also laden with value. With the exception of adaptive cruise control, the GT comes standard with all of the above features and adds 19-inch Tornado alloy wheels, a sunroof, a proximity key, sport-tuned suspension, an exhaust system, front red accents, red brake calipers, carbon-fiber interior trim, and a black roof, spoiler, mirrors, and window trim (GT badging, grille, and exterior trim replaces the R-Line-branded components). With optional remote engine start and all-season floor and trunk liners, the price of our GT tester is $30,680. The optional V-6 on the Camry and optional 2.0-liter turbo-four on the Accord also start higher than the Passat GT.
For all of the Passat's mediocrities, there are some laudable features. The interior is spacious and comfortable (especially the big back seat), the engine note (when not droning) from both models is appealing, the interior has good fit and finish and is well laid out, the ride is usually comfortable, the adaptive cruise control system works well, and the infotainment system is responsive and easy to use. On the GT model, my favorite feature is Sport mode. It provides strong throttle response and transmission programming that loosely resembles Porsche's PDK unit. Furthermore, Volkswagen's updated bumper-to-bumper new car warranty is generous, lasting six years or 72,000 miles, and it's transferable to subsequent owners.
Volkswagen can resolve many of the previously mentioned issues (handling, safety ratings, noise, and vibration) in the next Passat hopefully coming soon, riding on a new platform. But Volkswagen could also add the eight-speed automatic found in the new Jetta, larger infotainment and instrument cluster screens, a bit more style to the sterile interior, linear brakes, an electric parking brake, and a more complete package of driver-assist features that includes lane centering. If Volkswagen wants to make the Passat a tough competitor again, it needs more than updates. The redesigned Accord and Camry are considerably better than the models they replaced. It's time for that to happen to the Passat.
Volkswagen USA is cutting the 2019 Passat lineup to a third of what it was for the previous model year, and the midsize sedan will no longer offer a V6 engine option.
The Car Connectiontalked to VW and learned that the Passat will only be available in Wolfsburg Edition and SE R-Line trim levels for the 2019 model year. That means the previously available S, SEL, and GT grades will be dropped.
Furthermore, customers will have a more limited offer when it comes to powertrains too, as the 280-hp 3.6-liter V6 will no longer be available. That will leave Passat buyers a single engine choice, the 174-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
According to VW, the 2019 Passat Wolfsburg Edition will come equipped as standard with 17-inch alloys, synthetic leather upholstery, keyless ignition, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors. Optional extras will include 18-inch rims and a moonroof.
The SE R-Line will add goodies such as LED headlights and taillights, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and active lane control. An upgraded infotainment system with navigation and Fender audio system will be standard as well.
The reorganization of the 2019 Passat lineup means that the sporty-flavored Passat GT (pictured) launched at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show will remain a single-year model. VW is yet to announce when the 2019 Passat will go on sale.
The automaker’s decision to simplify the Passat offer for the 2019MY has a lot to do with midsize sedans falling from grace with customers. While the Tiguan has become the brand’s best-selling model in the US, Passat sales dropped 34 percent during the first seven months of 2018. At the same time, VW has confirmed an all-new US-spec Passat will arrive in 2019, so reshuffling the lineup might just be part of the preparations for it.
While other companies are a bandoning cars altogether in favor of sales-stomping trucks and SUVs, Volkswagen is giving an industrial-strength makeover to its sedan-flagship Passat. It won’t be a completely new car -- the platform and the drivetrain will remain the same -- but the exterior and interior are redesigned and all-new.
Why do this, you ask? Why not dump massive R&D dollars into something that will become a really all-new Passat from the wheels up? For one thing, even at VW, sedan sales are shrinking. The Passat is down 33 percent this year and dropped 6 percent the year before. Sales went from 73,002 in 2016 to 60,722 last year and just 38,285 year-to-date as of the end of November. But cars are still capable of profitability.
“The B sedan segment is still quite a large segment,” said Kai Oltmanns, manager of product marketing for the Passat. “It’s not as big as it was three or four years ago, but it’s still quite large. We think we can still get quite a large chunk out of the segment, especially with Ford leaving and maybe GM leaving.”
So to get that large chunk, VW redid almost “everything the customer sees,” from the exterior to the dashboard design. Only the roof remains of the previous model, at least on the outside.
2020 Passat on the banking. Note the riased hood and deck surfaces.
What does it look like? Hard to say. That schizophrenic black and white exterior camo sent my eyeballs reeling. It looks like there’s a sort of raised hood and decklid, suggesting a roomy interior and plenty of trunk space. The wheels look quite interesting -- have you seen the Isle of Man logo, the wheel with three legs each bent at the knee? This pattern looks like that but with five legs sticking out, like it’s kicking your keister all day long. Have a look at the photos and see if you can determine whether you like the new exterior.
Inside, the proto-Passat was covered with more camo, but I raised some of it to reveal a dash-wide vent-looking pattern that was only real vents for portions of it, so this is not like a Model 3. I couldn’t see much more and maybe VW wasn’t ready to show it. I’m sure it’ll look fine inside.
I can give you an idea of what it’ll be like to drive. I got behind the wheel of this preproduction prototype at Volkswagen’s formerly forbidden Arizona Proving Ground in the Sonoran Desert south of Phoenix. I took it on almost every surface the place had, and it has everything -- both paved and dirt. I even did a lap around the facility’s 33-degree-banked high-speed oval just like James Garner at Monza in “Grand Prix.” My first impression, after a decidedly brief drive of the strut front/multilink rear was that it was quite comfortable, perhaps more comfortable than what you might call sporty. Some bumpy sections of bumpy track felt very smooth, like the Passat could eat up any pavement whumps you threw at it. On the dirt I really wanted to try a few Scandinavian flicks, but there was a proving ground professional sitting in the back seat monitoring my every move, so no flicks, Dick. The one section of track they didn’t let us drive was a squiggly road course outside the main oval, which would have been quite revealing, so maybe I’ll withhold judgment on the Passat’s sportiness for the time being.
On the big track, up on the banking, the Passat immediately topped out at 114 mph. There was no more speed in it than that. That’s a relatively slow top speed, but the advantage is that you can make fewer compromises on tire choices. The prototype had Continental ContiProContact M&S tires sized 235/40R-19. That’s an all-season tread that Continental says is “designed to blend performance, comfort and fuel efficiency.” You’ll notice it says “performance” first among those traits, so that’s promising. They looked grippy enough, and on the few paved corners I tried they seemed to hold on well.
It looks big. But we have no dimensions yet.
One thing limiting top speed (other than the electronics), and perhaps the cause of the Passat’s general lackadaisical acceleration might have been the craft’s carryover 2.0-liter turbo-four. In the current car this powerplant makes 174 hp at 5,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft at 1,500. That setup is aimed more at good mileage than bracket-racing burnouts. The current Passat gets 25 mpg city, 36 highway and 29 combined. Volkswagen said the new car will get better torque but no more horsepower. And that could just mean a broader torque curve and not a higher peak torque figure, so don’t get your hopes up. That’s not a lot to move the 3,285-pound current car off the line with any urgency.
But is there an entry in this class that does offer sporty performance? There are more powerful four-cylinders available in the Accord, Camry and Mazda 6, and the Accord and Mazda even offer manual transmissions. Those could potentially be more fun to drive than the Passat. This car, meanwhile, looks like a really comfy daily driver family car, one that should start close to the current model’s base price of somewhere around 23 grand or so.
What does it all mean? The new Passat promises to be a comfortable way to ride out the last of the once-great sedan segment before you acquiesce and buy a crossover SUV like everyone else.
Most of Volkswagen’s latest cars have shifted over to its MQB platform—which affords them plenty of powertrain and technology upgrades—but not the “new” 2020 Volkswagen Passat coming to the Detroit Auto Show. Nope, the new Passat is instead just a reskinned version of the same car introduced back in 2011, and VW isn’t even afraid to admit it.
While we have to wait until January to see the new Passat, VW did offer AutoGuide some design renderings and an early in-person look at the car. According to AutoGuide, VW wasn’t even shy about admitting they didn’t bother moving the car over to a new modular chassis because the slumping demand for sedans wouldn’t make it worth the cost.
While every panel on the exterior is all-new, save for the roof, and follows the same design language as the awkward new Jetta, AutoGuide elaborates on why the new Passat isn’t getting some of the upgrades you might have expected:
There isn’t a whole lot changed on the interior, but it does feel new and different from the outgoing car. A redone center stack features updated VW infotainment along with touch-capacitive buttons. The dash design isn’t revolutionary, but simple, straight lines show VW is playing it safe.
What you won’t get is VW’s Digital Cockpit. This is because VW decided to keep the Passat on the same platform as before, instead of transitioning to MQB. The Passat has the potential to be a better car than it currently is if VW were to move it to the newer architecture — the entire electrical architecture of the car would be brought up to date — but it just isn’t worth the extra dough in the slumping sedan market.
The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower remains as well, except now with an improved but hardly substantial 207 lb-ft of torque, and the same 6-speed auto. The car also will now be available with lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
AutoGuide reports five different trims will be available, including an R-Line with 19-inch wheels and fake quad exhaust tips, but it’s scheduled to go on sale after the much more impressive Arteon sedan in the summer of 2020.
I’m sure phoning it in will be the thing that saves the sedan market, VW. The good news is that VW has sold a lot of them since 2012, so we’ll see if some cosmetic changes can keep that going.
This the problem with German cars made exclusively for the US market. They get left behind quickly because VAG doesn't care about them, dumb Americans will buy whatever.
Volkswagen of America, Inc., unveiled the new 2020 Passat at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. Eight years ago, Volkswagen completely overhauled the midsize sedan to cater specifically to American buyers, with more interior space and creature comforts combined with the company's signature fun-to-drive nature. Building on the success of that model, new Passat offers more of what matters: bolder design, upgraded technology, and enhanced access to convenience and driver-assistance features.
"Passat is the only midsize sedan to offer German driving dynamics at an affordable price and has long resonated with buyers for its combination of comfort, reliability and driving dynamics," said Scott Keogh, CEO of the North American Region, Volkswagen. "With this new model, we've stepped up the style factor and upgraded the technology to make it even more attractive. In addition, we've made desirable convenience and driver-assistance features more accessible."
While the 2020 Volkswagen Passat retains the underpinnings of the previous model, it has been completely restyled. A dynamic coupe-like roofline, dramatic "tornado" line, and dominant grille give the Passat a bold new look-at once, elegant and sporty. Standard slim LED headlights and taillights, along with more prominent Passat badging that runs the width of the trunklid, give the car a more premium look. Standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels enhance the sophisticated design, and 18- and 19-inch wheels are available.
Inside, the Passat combines a sophisticated new design and upgraded technology with the spacious cabin that made the outgoing model popular. The cockpit features a horizontal design, incorporating air vents that flow across the dash in a style reminiscent of premium models. A new, more contemporary instrument panel has been fitted, along with a new glass-covered infotainment touchscreen. Complementing the new interior design are new colors and premium materials. Three interior décor designs are available, based on trim. Volkswagen's V-Tex leatherette and Nappa leather seating surfaces are available in addition to the standard cloth seats, and offer four color options.
Comfort, for both drivers and passengers, continues to be a key strength for the Passat. To help keep occupants comfortable, Passat offers available heated front and rear seats, power driver's seat with memory, and dual-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control. Convenience features include available power-folding, heated side mirrors with memory, the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with range control and cornering lights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, rain-sensing wipers, KESSY® keyless access and push-button start, Voice Control, and Easy Open trunk.
Infotainment technology gets a boost in the 2020 Volkswagen Passat. In addition to a new glass-covered touchscreen, MIB II Composition Media infotainment with SiriusXM® radio comes standard (three-month trial subscription included) and Discover Media with navigation is available. Every Passat comes with standard Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect technology, which integrates compatible smartphones with the three major platforms-Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®-making select apps accessible from the infotainment screen. For audiophiles, top-of-the-line models feature the Fender® Premium Audio system.
Technology upgrades don't stop in the cabin-the new Passat offers a comprehensive suite of standard and available driver-assistance technology. Every Passat includes standard Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), now with Pedestrian Monitoring, as well as Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert. Available driver-assistance features include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Lane Keeping Assist (Lane Assist), which can actively help the driver steer the car back into its lane should the vehicle start drifting into another lane without using the turn signal; and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist) including Park Distance Control. In addition, Passat offers a combination of both passive and active safety systems including the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.
The new Passat continues to be powered by Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, making 174 horsepower. A new torque converter, combined with new software, boosts output to 207 pound-feet of torque on most models (a launch trim will carry over the previous model's powertrain). The power is taken to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic®.
Every Passat model will come with the People First Warranty, America's Best Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty. The warranty provides coverage for six-years or 72,000-miles (whichever occurs first), and the warranty can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat will be available in four regular trim levels and a launch-only Limited model. It is expected to begin arriving at U.S. Volkswagen dealers in the Summer of 2019.
07-09-2013, 06:33 AM
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Plug-In Hybrid Volkswagen Passat GTE Revealed
looking car.
