Volkswagen officially unveiled the 2015 edition of its luxury sedan, Passat, at the Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam. The company claims that the eighth generation of the Passat features new design, economical engines and state-of-the-art technologies.
Speaking at the launch of the 2015 Passat, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen said, “This Passat heralds in a new era when it comes to design and proportions, engines and drive systems, Infotainment and assistance systems or when it is a matter of safety, convenience and driving pleasure.”
The Group chief further added, “The new Passat gives the right answers to the major automotive trends of its time. 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 85 kilograms less weight and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines – there is even a plug-in hybrid available.”
All versions of the Passat belong to the mid-size cars in the world and at 1.1 million units a year (2013) it is Volkswagen Group’s model series with the highest volume sold world-wide. To continue this success in the eighth generation, the new Passat is again offered in saloon and estate versions with a multitude of innovations. Company says that the new design made the 2015 Passat significantly more dynamic (including lower body, longer wheelbase and larger wheels).
At the same time, the latest technologies have been applied. They include systems such as Active Info display (a fully digital instrument cluster), extendible head-up display as well as systems such as an app-based Rear Seat Entertainment for tablet computers, Front Assist plus City Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring and three more world firsts: Emergency Assist (vehicle stops in emergency), Trailer Assist (assisted manoeuvring with a trailer) and Traffic Jam Assist.
The new Passat will be available with 10 direct injection turbocharged petrol and diesel engines covering a power range from 118 bhp to 276 bhp. All engines meet Euro 6 emission standards. Company claims that both, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, were lowered by up to 20 percent. All versions are equipped with a stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode. The new Passat will also be offered with a plug-in hybrid drive (115 kW TSI petrol engine plus 80 kW electric motor and externally chargeable battery). With a system power output of 208 bhp, it will be Volkswagen’s most powerful plug-in hybrid and a genuine zero emission vehicle as it has an all-electric range of 50 km.
The 2015 Passat will be offered with the following motors:
Petrol
- 1.4 TSI with 123 bhp (92 kW) and 147 bhp (110 kW)
- 1.8 TSI with 177 bhp (132 kW)
- 2.0 TSI with 216 bhp (162 kW) and 276 bhp(206 kW)
Diesel
- 1.6 TDI with 118 bhp (88 kW)
- 2.0 TDI with 147 bhp (110 kW), 187 bhp (140 kW) and 236 bhp (176 kW)
Hybrid
- 1.4 TSI plug-in hybrid with 208 bhp (155 kW)
Advance sales for the new Passat begin on Thursday, 10 July. Prices start from €25,875 (approximately Rs 21.03 lakh) for the sedan and €25,950 (approximately Rs 21.09 lakh) for the estate.
We do hope that the 2015 Volkswagen Passat makes its way in the Indian car market where the company desperately needs a product to gain market share. Are you awaiting the 2015 Volkswagen Passat as much as we are? Share your thoughts through comments below.
