Photo: autoevolution
Like Chrysler recently put it, nobody grows up dreaming of a Passat (or was it the Jetta?). But normal family sedans are much more important than you might think and now there's an all-new, 8th generation mid-size coming from one the top-3 largest automakers in the world. We think it's the first Passat worth getting excited in about a decade. Here's why!
Volkswagen has released a few nerdalicious facts already ahead of the early July reveal. The biggest one is this: 240 horsepower, coming from a new 2.0-liter 'BiTurbo' diesel, which also makes 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. In a market where most diesel four-cylinder engines make less than 180 hp, the Passat is going to go off like a nuclear bomb.
This engine will be available only with a new seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive, which we think will give this sedan the capacity for 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprints in a little over 6 seconds.
That's not the one we'd go for though. Most European Passat buyers are going for 2-liter diesel engines because of better fuel economy. The Passat 8 could be the first sedan in ages that you can enjoy with petrol engines.
A 2-liter turbo borrowed from the Golf R and making 280 horsepower will be the range-topper. Offered with DSG and 4Motion, it could take the Passat to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy ratings should be similar to those of an Audi S3 sedan, meaning about 9 l/100km in the city and 6 l/100km on the highway. The monstrous "Passat R" could also be slightly cheaper than the diesel because of the relative simplicity of the TSi engine compared to the BiTurbo TDI.
A plug-in hybrid model will also be offered, with potential to travel 31 miles (50 km) on battery power alone, and with a maximum range of around 600 miles (almost 1000 km). We're not so sure about that one, but 205 hp combined output and the potential to average 3.5 l/100km are being rumored. On paper, the Passat plug-in sounds very impressive, but not a driver's car.
The MQB platform will be shared with the Golf, but the track will be wider and the wheelbase longer, meaning the all-new Passat will feel very planted. Up to 85 kilograms shed from its total weight should also improve handling.
And finally, we think there's a chance it will be a looker, which is more than we can say about the current Passat. LED taillights will be standard, unlike on the Golf. Similarly to Audi's Matrix system, the Passat's LED headlight set will automatically adjust the beam for maximum illumination of the road without dazzling other traffic.The photo above shows official renderings and leaked images of a Chinese sister car called the Magotan.
The Golf 5 was a car that changed the way the way we view Volkswagen, thanks to a new design, new architecture and the first mainstream use of the twin-clutch gearbox, the future of changing gears. The Golf 6 that followed was by no means a bad car, but it didn't have the same sparkle. The Mk7, however, won just about every award it could.
Like the Golf, it seems a great Passat comes along every two generations...
This engine will be available only with a new seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive, which we think will give this sedan the capacity for 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprints in a little over 6 seconds.
That's not the one we'd go for though. Most European Passat buyers are going for 2-liter diesel engines because of better fuel economy. The Passat 8 could be the first sedan in ages that you can enjoy with petrol engines.
A 2-liter turbo borrowed from the Golf R and making 280 horsepower will be the range-topper. Offered with DSG and 4Motion, it could take the Passat to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy ratings should be similar to those of an Audi S3 sedan, meaning about 9 l/100km in the city and 6 l/100km on the highway. The monstrous "Passat R" could also be slightly cheaper than the diesel because of the relative simplicity of the TSi engine compared to the BiTurbo TDI.
A plug-in hybrid model will also be offered, with potential to travel 31 miles (50 km) on battery power alone, and with a maximum range of around 600 miles (almost 1000 km). We're not so sure about that one, but 205 hp combined output and the potential to average 3.5 l/100km are being rumored. On paper, the Passat plug-in sounds very impressive, but not a driver's car.
The MQB platform will be shared with the Golf, but the track will be wider and the wheelbase longer, meaning the all-new Passat will feel very planted. Up to 85 kilograms shed from its total weight should also improve handling.
And finally, we think there's a chance it will be a looker, which is more than we can say about the current Passat. LED taillights will be standard, unlike on the Golf. Similarly to Audi's Matrix system, the Passat's LED headlight set will automatically adjust the beam for maximum illumination of the road without dazzling other traffic.The photo above shows official renderings and leaked images of a Chinese sister car called the Magotan.
The Golf 5 was a car that changed the way the way we view Volkswagen, thanks to a new design, new architecture and the first mainstream use of the twin-clutch gearbox, the future of changing gears. The Golf 6 that followed was by no means a bad car, but it didn't have the same sparkle. The Mk7, however, won just about every award it could.
Like the Golf, it seems a great Passat comes along every two generations...
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