Volkswagen is injecting some sportiness to its North American market Passat with the world premiere of a performance concept at next week’s Detroit auto show.
Dubbed the “Passat Performance Concept”, the German carmaker says the study gives us a sneak-peek at an upcoming sport variant of its mid-size model, which in 2012, recorded its best sales year ever in the States with 117,023 units.
Despite the promising moniker, there’s not much going on the outside with the rather conservative looking concept making do with 19-inch wheels, a dual exhaust set up, Bi-Xenon headlights with Advanced Front Lighting System (AFS), LED taillights and carbon applications on its mirror caps.
That’s something VW acknowledges, but adds it’s what is hiding under the hood that counts. There you will find VW’s newer EA888 1.8 liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI four-cylinder engine, which in this application delivers 247hp horsepower (250PS / 184kW) and is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.
A lowered sport suspension and electro-mechanical steering to enhance handling complete the limited performance upgrades on the Passat.
We don’t get to see it yet, but we’re told by VW that the study’s interior features carbon-like touches on the dashboard with matching carbon-style inserts on two-color leather seating surfaces and black headliner and side pillars.
Story References: VW via VWVortex
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