Volkswagen
has revealed the first technical details of the all-new Passat saloon and estate,
ahead of the cars’ unveiling in July and their public premiere at the Paris
Motor Show in October.
The
eighth-generation Passat will bring with it a range of new technologies and
features, to ensure that even after 41 years and over 23 million sales
worldwide, it remains as competitive as ever.
The new
Passat is up to 85 kg lighter than its predecessor by using advanced materials
– including high-strength, hot-formed steel and aluminium in certain areas,
helping it to claim expected fuel-efficiency improvements of up to 20pc, the
company stated in a release to the media.
Despite
exterior dimensions that are actually marginally smaller than those of the
previous Passat, interior space is improved, with more leg- and head-room, as
well as increased luggage space.
The Passat’s
new range of engines is a high-performance, four-cylinder, 2.0-litre, bi-turbo
diesel delivering 240 PS and an extraordinary 500 Nm from 1,750 rpm. This engine will be available only with a new
seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid model will also be offered,
with potential to travel 31 miles on battery power alone, and with a potential
maximum range of around 600 miles.
New
technology to be offered on the new Passat includes the Active Info Display,
which replaces the instrument cluster with a fully configurable interactive
12.3-inch TFT display; a heads-up display; the latest Modular Infotainment
System, including the Car-Net remote app; a further-developed 360-degree Area
View function; and the latest generation of Park Assist. This newly developed Park Assist includes the
option for the car to park itself forwards into perpendicular spaces – useful,
for example at supermarket car parks, where access to the boot is important.
Other safety
technology includes Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert; Traffic Jam Assist
which makes stop-and-go driving more comfortable; Emergency Assist, which can
potentially halt a vehicle when the driver is incapacitated; and the latest
Front Assist system with City Emergency Braking, which optionally combines both
radar and camera sensors to add pedestrian detection.
All new
Passat’s will feature LED tail lights, while headlights will be halogen or
LED. In conjunction with Dynamic Light
Assist, one of the two LED headlight options automatically adjusts the beam for
maximum illumination of the road without dazzling other traffic.
UK sales will
start before the end of the year, with first deliveries expected in early 2015.
We believe it will make its entry into India soon thereafter.
Source: Volkswagen