The car will be seen in public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March, when its larger dimensions will become apparent: at 4.77 metres long, the new Passat is 4cm shorter than a Mercedes-Benz E-class, 7cm shorter than a BMW 5-series and 11cm longer than a Honda Accord.
The Passat will have new four-link rear suspension, new transversely-mounted engines and a new body.
It will be Bluetooth compatible and have an electronic handbrake as standard as well as dual zone climate control. Elements of the recent Concept C and Concept R can be seen in the new Passat’s styling such as the new chrome grille, which is set to become a feature of future Volkswagens. Rear light clusters feature LED lights.
As well as being longer, the new Passat has a longer wheelbase, is 7cm wider and 1cm taller than the existing model, while luggage space is increased by 90 litres to a class-leading 565 litres.
The new Passat also has class-leading torsional rigidity, being 57% stiffer than the previous model, helping improve ride, handling and refinement. Four engines will be available at the model’s UK launch: 1.6-litre FSI and 2.0-litre FSI petrol engines and 1.9-litre TDI and 2.0-litre TDI.
Volkswagen’s DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) will be available on TDI models shortly after launch, with six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission available on 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre FSI engines. 4MOTION four-wheel drive versions will follow later.
UK prices and specification details of the new Passat will be released closer to the new model’s launch date in the summer.
Login to comment
Comments
No comments have been made yet.