Volkswagen: Passat News
#524
The sizzle in the Steak
#525
The sizzle in the Steak
Official sketch: Volkswagen NMS (new mid-market sedan)
On the heels of our latest spy photos, an official sketch of the Volkswagen vehicle known only as NMS has surfaced online. Prototypes of the future Toyota Camry-fighter were last spotted undergoing testing in late January. VW has some pretty ambitious sales goals for the U.S. market in the coming years, with the bulk of those plans centering around the model — the new mid-market sedan, or NMS for short.
The vehicle will be assembled in 2011 at VW’s Chattanooga assembly plant in Tennessee. The new sedan is intended to go head-to-head with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It will fit between the Jetta and Passat in VW’s lineup, and will likely have a starting price of around $20,000.
In contrast to most future vehicle plans, Volkswagen has openly mentioned the NMS and what they hope to accomplish with this vehicle, as well as required amenities. VW has hinted that the new sedan will boast generous legroom, a larger trunk, bigger cup holders, improved interior quality, a six-speed dual clutch transmission, gas and diesel powerplants and the possibility of all-wheel drive.
Initially, engines and transmissions will be manufactured in Mexico – the same ones as found in the New Beetle and Jetta. A previously-spotted test mule – as clearly seen on the paper affixed to the windshield – was powered by VW’s 2.5-liter I5.
In addition to the North American market, VW may be also developing this platform for the Chinese market.
VW’s new Tennessee plant is expected to be up and running by early 2011, so look for the NMS to hit the market sometime after that.
The vehicle will be assembled in 2011 at VW’s Chattanooga assembly plant in Tennessee. The new sedan is intended to go head-to-head with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It will fit between the Jetta and Passat in VW’s lineup, and will likely have a starting price of around $20,000.
In contrast to most future vehicle plans, Volkswagen has openly mentioned the NMS and what they hope to accomplish with this vehicle, as well as required amenities. VW has hinted that the new sedan will boast generous legroom, a larger trunk, bigger cup holders, improved interior quality, a six-speed dual clutch transmission, gas and diesel powerplants and the possibility of all-wheel drive.
Initially, engines and transmissions will be manufactured in Mexico – the same ones as found in the New Beetle and Jetta. A previously-spotted test mule – as clearly seen on the paper affixed to the windshield – was powered by VW’s 2.5-liter I5.
In addition to the North American market, VW may be also developing this platform for the Chinese market.
VW’s new Tennessee plant is expected to be up and running by early 2011, so look for the NMS to hit the market sometime after that.
#526
The sizzle in the Steak
If it looks anything remotely like the sketch......
#529
The sizzle in the Steak
^^
For starters, the greenhouse is nowhere alike.....
For starters, the greenhouse is nowhere alike.....
#530
Senior Moderator
Ya, because the likelihood of the greenhouse staying like it is in the concept sketch is SO high,...
Does kinda look like a tarted up Accord,...only better. It is just a sketch though, so...
Does kinda look like a tarted up Accord,...only better. It is just a sketch though, so...
#532
The sizzle in the Steak
Updated Sketch
After months with nothing but quiet rumors, Volkswagen has released a more detailed official sketch of its upcoming as-of-yet unnamed “New Mid-Market Sedan,” or NMS. Designed to fight against class sales leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the new sedan is aimed at helping VW achieve its rather ambitious sales goals
#533
Senior Moderator
More info via Motor Authority...
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...-midsize-sedan
Earlier this month while at the official drive event for the new Golf, High Gear Media managed to get an exclusive take on VW's plans for the still unnamed New Midsize Sedan (NMS), and how it will effectively replace the Passat for North America. Today, VW released a second sketch of the NMS that shows the first sketch's design theme carried forward, but reveals little of what we can expect of the production sedan outside of general themes.
The new sketch shows a fairly short hood, a more sedan-like profile than the previous sketch, and the same basic corporate front end that's become familiar with the new Mark VI Golf. The roofline is somewhat reminiscent of the Passat, but not enough to be confused for one. Which is a good thing, considering the Passat is going away with the arrival of the NMS.
The problem, says VW's U.S. president Stephan Jacoby, is that the Passat simply isn't suited to the distances Americans drive or the size of vehicle we prefer. That's why the NMS, a four-door built at the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, will offer a wider cabin and more rear seat legroom. It is also expected to start around $20,000.
The car has been previewed in sketches before (pictured), but a trio of new sketches were previewed in Germany today, revealing that the car will resemble the VW Quantum, meaning a lower rear roofline, tightly integrated front end and angular headlamps like those seen on the Mark VI Golf.
The Phaeton large sedan will also return to the U.S. soon, as we confirmed in Germany earlier this month. The Phaeton has been under consideration for a U.S. return for some time, with Jacoby thinking the market is once again primed, provided the maker learns from its past mistakes.
The new sketch shows a fairly short hood, a more sedan-like profile than the previous sketch, and the same basic corporate front end that's become familiar with the new Mark VI Golf. The roofline is somewhat reminiscent of the Passat, but not enough to be confused for one. Which is a good thing, considering the Passat is going away with the arrival of the NMS.
The problem, says VW's U.S. president Stephan Jacoby, is that the Passat simply isn't suited to the distances Americans drive or the size of vehicle we prefer. That's why the NMS, a four-door built at the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, will offer a wider cabin and more rear seat legroom. It is also expected to start around $20,000.
The car has been previewed in sketches before (pictured), but a trio of new sketches were previewed in Germany today, revealing that the car will resemble the VW Quantum, meaning a lower rear roofline, tightly integrated front end and angular headlamps like those seen on the Mark VI Golf.
The Phaeton large sedan will also return to the U.S. soon, as we confirmed in Germany earlier this month. The Phaeton has been under consideration for a U.S. return for some time, with Jacoby thinking the market is once again primed, provided the maker learns from its past mistakes.
#534
The sizzle in the Steak
The Phaeton large sedan will also return to the U.S. soon, as we confirmed in Germany earlier this month. The Phaeton has been under consideration for a U.S. return for some time, with Jacoby thinking the market is once again primed, provided the maker learns from its past mistakes.
#535
Instructor
I think the Phaeton could work in US if they priced it around $50,000 and make it smaller to slot it above this NMS but not the crazy $80,000 A8 size it was before.
#537
The sizzle in the Steak
Everyone is getting into the "premium" game.
The Phaeton was/is a great car, but image and price hurt it back when it made its NA debut...perhaps that will change this time around...although even 50k is pushing it.
#538
The sizzle in the Steak
Maybe?
either this or a Jetta, or a Passat.
Tick-Tock
#539
Senior Moderator
^ Red X, Waldorf...
#540
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Works for me
#543
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Yesterday
#544
The sizzle in the Steak
Passat to be dropped from U.S. market to make way for NMS
With the company’s new mid-size sedan (NMS) waiting in the wings, Volkswagen has decided to pull the plug on the U.S. version of its Passat premium sedan. The Passat will exit the United States market after the 2010 model year.
The Jetta, NMS and Passat apparently equated to too many cooks in the kitchen, with VW execs confirming that the current range-topping Passat sedan will not return to the automaker’s U.S. lineup after the 2010 model year. The Passat current stands as VW’s mid-size sedan offering.
VW will replace the Passat with its upcoming NMS. The NMS will make its world debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, with sales expected to begin shortly thereafter.
Intended to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry -- both in price and size -- the NMW will be produced at VW’s new Chattanooga, Tennessee production facility
The Jetta, NMS and Passat apparently equated to too many cooks in the kitchen, with VW execs confirming that the current range-topping Passat sedan will not return to the automaker’s U.S. lineup after the 2010 model year. The Passat current stands as VW’s mid-size sedan offering.
VW will replace the Passat with its upcoming NMS. The NMS will make its world debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, with sales expected to begin shortly thereafter.
Intended to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry -- both in price and size -- the NMW will be produced at VW’s new Chattanooga, Tennessee production facility
#545
I shoot people
All I know is...I rented a Jetta for a week (recently) and I was VERY impressed. I used to think VW's are basically poorman's Audi...but after driving one for a week I started looking into used Rabbits (here in Vancouver BC), and I really couldn't find any deals cuz they were all rather expensive (not to mention that EVERYTHING in Canada is expensive).
I have a new found respect for VW's. I'd love to have a GTI or even a R32 someday
I have a new found respect for VW's. I'd love to have a GTI or even a R32 someday
#547
Race Director
I'm not sure why the dropping of the Passat was not obvious - the size of it, the cost structure (being built in Germany) all said it was on its way out and be replaced with the NMS. The mid-sized sedan market in the US is very competitive and basically a commodity business - the Passat was not made for that. Unless the NMS comes in wagon form, the Passat wagon will be the only model that will be missed.
#548
Fahrvergnügen'd
I'm not sure why the dropping of the Passat was not obvious - the size of it, the cost structure (being built in Germany) all said it was on its way out and be replaced with the NMS. The mid-sized sedan market in the US is very competitive and basically a commodity business - the Passat was not made for that. Unless the NMS comes in wagon form, the Passat wagon will be the only model that will be missed.
Sadly, I think that the days of AWD on VW cars are numbered.
#549
Race Director
#550
Passat 2011 official released
Volkswagen has unveiled the 2011 Passat model at the Paris motor show.
The most distinguishing design feature of the new Passat, which Volkswagen is calling the 7th generation of the model in its press release, is a resculpted front face very similar to that of the German automaker's flagship Phaeton luxury sedan.
Typical of VW, the new Passat is being offer with an array of 10 different engines ranging in power from 105 PS (77 kW) to 300 PS (220 kW). The entry-level diesel, the 1.6 TDI with 105 PS and 250 Nm, delivers improved fuel-economy, now with a rating of 4.2 liters/100 km and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km, thanks to the stop/start system becoming standard for diesels in all trim levels.
The eco-numbers are similarly competitive, if not the benchmarks of their class, on the petrol side, with the 1.4 TSI with 122 PS (90 kW) with BlueMotion Technology (also including a stop/start system) rating at 5.8 liters/100 km and a CO2 value of 138 g/km.
The Passat will continue to feature the same three equipment levels - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. New equipment offerings on the model include Dynamic Light Assist, first introduced in the new Touareg, which can use high-beams for better road lighting while avoiding glare for oncoming drivers through the use of a smart camera which tells the lighting system to adjusting the direction of the light.
Also new is the XDS electronic transverse differential lock - seen first on the Golf GTI - which helps improve traction in the curves.
The new VW Passat goes on sale in Europe starting in mid-November.
#556
Aren't we? Autoblog said we are, but I guess that's Autoblog.
If the interior was still as nice as the current Passat/CC and offered a 4Motion/3.6 combo I'd give it a looksee.
I really like the CC but the roofline makes it a bit less than ideal for my needs.
If the interior was still as nice as the current Passat/CC and offered a 4Motion/3.6 combo I'd give it a looksee.
I really like the CC but the roofline makes it a bit less than ideal for my needs.
#559
The sizzle in the Steak
New Renderings
#560
Senior Moderator
I'm not liking VW's new styling direction. Nothing ugly about these cars at all. Just far too plain IMO. You could slap a Toyota badge on there and think nothing of it. The Golf is there best looking car.