Following the leakage of official design sketches last week, Volkswagen has officially revealed the first technical details of the all-new Passat for Europe and other markets around the globe (not for North America, though), which will be unveiled in July and will have its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Available as a sedan and wagon, the eighth-generation Passat will be up to 85 kg (187.3 lbs) than the current model, as well as up to 20 percent more fuel-efficient.
In terms of size, the new Passat will be marginally smaller than the current model but will feature an improved interior space, with more leg- and head-room, as well as increased luggage space. The new model will also be fitted a range of new technologies and features, as well as advanced materials, including high-strength, hot-formed steel and aluminum in certain areas.
The most important technical update is a new 2.0-liter biturbo diesel producing 240PS (237hp) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 rpm. Spearheading a new range of engines, the 2.0-liter diesel will be available exclusively with a new seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
The VW Passat will also be available as a plug-in hybrid model with an all-electric driving range of 31 miles (50 km) and a maximum range of around 600 miles (965 km).
The Passat will come with technologies like the 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. The latter includes the option for the car to park itself forwards into perpendicular spaces as well as Trailer Assist, which provides assistance when reversing a vehicle with a trailer attached.
The new VW Passat will have standard LED taillights, while headlights will be halogen or LED. Sales will begin in autumn in Europe, with first deliveries expected in early 2015.
By Dan Mihalascu
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