Volkswagen Reveals All-New Passat Saloon and Estate Models

Volkswagen has revealed the all-new Passat at a ceremony at the Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam, Germany. It is set to receive its public premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October and it is the 8th generation of the Passat which over the past 41 years has had over 23 million sales worldwide. Everything from its design to technologies and engines is new. The Passat sets new standards with an unburdened weight that has been reduced by up to 85 kg and fuel economy figures that have been improved by up to 20 per cent. For the first time, there will also be a Passat with a plug-in hybrid drive system.

OneShift Editorial Team

10 Jul 2014

In its design and in the advanced features it offers, the new Passat bridges the gap between the upper medium and premium class. At 4,767 mm long, the saloon is two millimetres shorter than the previous model, while the wheelbase is 79 mm longer at 2,791 mm and therefore the body overhangs significantly shorter. At the same time, the Passat is 14 mm lower at 1,456 mm, and 12 mm wider at 1,832 mm.

All models of Passat have LED rear lights, while the higher-specification versions feature a distinctive horizontal tail light signature that switches over to a vertically oriented brake light signature under braking. Headlights are halogen or LED. In conjunction with Dynamic Light Assist, one of the two LED headlight options automatically adjusts the beam for maximum illumination of the road without dazzling other traffic.

The interior has been developed to match the sophisticated exterior of the eighth-generation Passat. New technologies to be offered on the new Passat include the optional Active Info Display, which replaces the instrument cluster with a fully configurable interactive 12.3-inch TFT display; a heads-up display; the latest Modular Infotainment System, including the Car-Net remote app; a further-developed 360-degree Area View function; and the latest generation of Park Assist.

This newly developed Park Assist includes the option for the car to park itself forwards into perpendicular spaces – useful, for example at supermarket car parks, where access to the boot is important. It also includes a world-first Trailer Assist system, which provides assistance when reversing a vehicle with a trailer attached – without the need for any modification or adaptation of the trailer.

A highlight of the Passat’s new range of engines is a high-performance, four-cylinder, 2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel delivering 240 PS and an extraordinary 500 Nm from 1,750 rpm. This engine will be available only with a new seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid model will also be offered, with potential to travel 31 miles on battery power alone, and with a maximum range of around 600 miles.

Take a closer look at the all-new Passat in our gallery.

Credits: Oneshift News Team