For a company that prides itself for bringing turbocharged gasoline engines to the masses and mainstream family cars before the end of the previous century, it has taken Volkswagen a very long time to do the same with its entire portfolio of models here in the States.
On Friday, and following the recent launch of the new 2.5-liter inline-five-replacing EA888 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI on the Jetta and Passat 1.8T SEL Premium, VW released pricing for the remainder of the Passat lineup.
The base version of the Passat, the “S”, is now fitted with the 170 horsepower (same output as the 2.5-liter unit) 1.8 TSI with pricing set at $20,895,when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, which is the same as the outgoing 2.5L model.
The Passat Wolfsburg Edition costs $23,965 with a standard six-speed auto ($500 more than the 2.5L), the SE starts at $24,475 (+$530) with the five-speed manual, while the SE with Sunroof costs $26,395 (+$550)and the SE with Sunroof and Navigation has a base price of $27,555 (+$560).
Volkswagen’s standard destination charge for the Passat is $820, which is not included in the aforementioned prices.
As you can see for yourself, the cheeky VW staff kept the base model’s price, which is the one advertised everywhere, intact, while adding $500 or more on each other trim model over the respective 2.5L version…
The new 1.8L turbo is said to offer better performance (0-60mph in 7.5 seconds or 0.7 seconds faster than the 2.5L with a manual, and 7.9 seconds for the auto, down from 8.7 seconds with the 2.5L engine), as well as improved fuel efficiency (34mpg highway and 24mpg city, up from 31mpg and 22mpg respectively for the 2.5L).
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