China has done it again. Shortly after photos of the undisguised production version of the Volkswagen New Midsize Coupe (NMC) Concept surfaced on the internet, images of the next generation Passat, codenamed B8, without any trace of camouflage, also made their online appearance.
Now, in China, this model is called the VW Magotan and it is a longer-wheelbase version of the European Passat manufactured by the German brand’s local joint-venture FAW-VW.
If the nicely integrated chromed exhaust tips raise some suspicions about the car being a pre-production concept, they shouldn’t because we saw the same components fitted on a camouflaged European Passat B8 tester late last year.
In these flash-filled pictures, China’s Passat, which should not differ much, if at all, besides the wheelbase length, from the upcoming European Passat B8 (sorry North America, you won’t get this model), looks familiar yet more streamlined and modern than the current car.
The same holds true for the interior that evolves the styling of the B7 with harder edges on the dashboard and more premium (in this edition) trim accents and touches.
Both the next VW Passat and its Chinese sibling should debut within the next year.
By John Halas
Story References: Autohome
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