More Daring Styling For New SUVs, 2016 U.S. Passat

Faced with diminishing interest in its core Jetta and Passat models in the States, Volkswagen will push a less conservative design theme when for the US-built 2016 Passat this year, and the upcoming crossovers it has in the pipeline.

Automotive News got a look inside VW's Valhalla design studio and an interview with Chief Designer Klaus Bischoff. Key products include the revised Passat due this year, and the 2017 Tiguan built in Mexico and three-row crossover built alongside the Passat in Tennessee.

The current Passat NMS, introduced in 2011, is in the midst of a pretty steep sales slide – off 12 percent in 2014. But visible changes are coming, according to AN: 

The freshened Passat is also a substantial change from the model on sale now, with all-new sheet metal from the A-pillar forward, including a new hood, fenders, grille design and headlights. Taillights are also new.

More important, however, will be the crossovers. The still-nameless three-row is said to borrow heavily from theCross Coupe GTE concept shown in January at the Detroit Auto Show. 

Detail work such as intricate headlights that integrate structural elements that begin from the grille, and metal side vents below the A-pillars, are almost Audi-like in their execution. "This has to be bold. It has to be a statement," Bischoff said.

As for the Tiguan, expect to like it if you were a fan of the current car 2014's T-Roc Concept. 

The redesigned Tiguan on display at Valhalla retains the overall proportions of its predecessor but with updated lines, plus shorter front and longer rear overhangs. Wheel arches are rounded compared with the hard angles seen on the midsize crossover, but some themes are shared, including wraparound taillight designs and grille execution.

I've been a fan of VW's clean-cut lines when they were sharp. Lately, though, their cars are blending in a bit too much and not looking that different from their predecessors (looking at you, Golf Mk 7). But if the sharp and classy concepts are anything to go by, the company is taking the right steps to get noticed.

2016 VW Passat Renderings courtesy of RM Design

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New 240PS VW Passat 2.0 TDI Proves it Packs a Strong Punch

Numbers are rarely impressive in mainstream cars these days, but extracting 240 PS (237 hp) from a two-liter diesel engine is.

It’s a real achievement in the sector, and when powering the new (lighter) VW Passat, it promises a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds; top speed is 240 km/h (239 149mph).

If you’re wondering what that feels like, the video posted below puts it into perspective. It features acceleration runs of the new Passat powered by both the 150 PS (148 hp) and 240 PS TDI units. The first is fairly brisk, reaching the benchmark sprint speed in 8.2 seconds, besting its claimed time of 8.6 seconds.

The second, shoots off the line (helped by its standard DSG gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive) and even though it was going uphill, it still hits 100 km/h in 7 seconds dead (.9 seconds off what VW claims).

The second car tested is an estate, so the sedan could be a tad quicker. Oh, and do check out the fully-digital dials in action – they look very clear and are easy to read; they’re also very restrained, in typical VW fashion.

Via Autogefühl 

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2015 Volkswagen Passat B8

VW's best way of describing the new 2015 Passat for Europeand other places around the world is a "premium class car without premium costs". In other words, the Germans want to extend their reach over to more premium offerings like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and even sister company Audi's A4, all while continuing to challenge mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 508.

Unveiled earlier today at the VW Design Center in Potsdam, Germany, the eighth generation Passat, codenamed B8, is a clean sheet design that differs from the American Passat that will continue on its own path unchanged.

"The new Passat gives the right answers to the major automotive trends of its time," commented VW Group chief Martin Winterkorn. "For me this Passat is a premium class car without premium costs. This fits perfectly to Europe's most successful business car – lining up with 20 percent better fuel economy, up to 85kg [188 lbs] less weight and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines – there is even a plug-in hybrid available."

Most of those weight savings can be attributed to the new MQB flexible platform architecture shared with the latest Golf. Compared to the outgoing B7 that is based on the previous B6, the new Passat B8 in sedan trim is 2mm shorter at 4,767mm long and sits 14mm lower, but has an 80mm longer wheelbase at 2,791mm, and is also 12mm wider at 1,832mm.

VW makes promises of improved space for both passengers and their luggage, with the sedan's cargo space boosted by 21-liters to 586-liters, and the station wagon model's by 47-liters to 650-liters or up to 1,780-liters with the rear seats folded.

The styling of the new Passat both inside and out is on the elegant (albeit unadventurous) side with more premium details compared to the outgoing model – you could say that VW tried to bring a touch of Phaethon to the mid-size segment with the B8.

This is even more evident on the technology front with the Passat gaining a multitude of new features highlighted by the available fully configurable 12.3-inch TFT display (buyers of base models will have to do with a 6.5-inch color display in the center console) marketed as the Active Info Display.

Other notable features include the extendible head-up display, an app-based Rear Seat Entertainment for tablet computers, Front Assist plus City Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, and what VW says are three world firsts for a vehicle in this class: Emergency Assist (vehicle stops in emergency), Trailer Assist (assisted maneuvering with a trailer) and Traffic Jam Assist.

Overall, European buyers will have a choice of 10 direct injection turbocharged petrol and diesel engines covering a power range from 120PS to 280PS (118hp to 276hp), all of which are fitted with stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode, and meet Euro 6 emission standards.

Among these powerplants is a new 1.4 TSI Plug-in Hybrid with a combined system output of 211PS (208hp) that has an all-electric range of 50 km (31 miles). There's also the 240PS (237hp) 2.0-liter TDI diesel that comes exclusively with a DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive offering a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h (239mph) with a combined fuel economy of 5.3l/100km (44.1mpg US or 53 mpg UK).

VW said that advance sales for the new Passat in Germany begin next week, with prices starting from €25,875 for the saloon and €25,950 for the estate. The new Passat will enjoy its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.

By John Halas

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2012 VW Passat R-Line

The R-line versions of the Passat sedan and Estate are positioned between the mid-level ‘Comfortline’ and the top ‘Highline’ versions.

On the outside, the Passat R-Live differs visually from the regular model with a new front bumper featuring a larger cooling air inlet and integrated fog lights, side sills with chrome accent trim, a boot (sedan) or a roof (estate) spoiler, R-Line badges and a revised rear bumper with a black diffuser and chrome tailpipes and trim.

The look is completed with the 17-inch ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels (optional 18-inch) shod in run-flat tires size 235, while the Estate model also gets silver roof rails. Both the sedan and the estate are fitted with a sports tuned suspension that lowers the ride height by 15mm.

Inside, you will find sport seats upholstered in bespoke fabrics, decorative silver trim on the dashboard and door panels, a flat-bottom, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals and door sill plates.

In addition to the standalone R-Line Passats, those that prefer the Comfortline or Highline trim grades can order the optional R-Line Design Package that includes the front and rear bumpers, rear or roof spoiler and the R-Line badges.

In Germany, prices for the Passat R-Line start at €30,225 while the optional R-Line Design Package costs €990.

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2013 VW Passat Alltrack

On the outside, the Passat Alltrack sports more rugged looks thanks to the front and rear underbody plates, protective black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and side sills, along with a bespoke set of alloy wheels and a matte chrome finish for the door mirrors, roof rails and window surrounds.

To cope with some light off-road driving, aside from the available 4Motion all-wheel drive system, VW's engineers raised the Passat Estate's ground clearance from 135 to 165 mm, while the front approach angle was increased from 13.5 to 16 degrees, and the departure angle at the rear was increased from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees. In addition, the ramp angle for crossing over a hill was improved from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees.

There are four available engines, including a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with either 140PS (138bhp) or 170PS (168bhp), a 1.8-liter TSI petrol pushing out 160PS (158bhp) and a 2.0-liter TSI delivering 210PS (208bhp).

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