Volkswagen unveiled the all-new Passat (B8), wider and sleeker [+Video]



Volkswagen has unveiled their all-new eighth-generation Passat, in sedan and wagon guise. Totally new from the ground up, the new Passat is lighter (by up to 85kg) than the outgoing model. The new Passat codenamed B8 is also more economical by up to 20 per cent.

Der neue Volkswagen Passat und Passat Variant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aMuy6-939g

The exterior now appears more dynamic with shorter front and rear overhangs and the wheelbase stretched to 2,791mm, 79mm more compared to the current B7 Passat. The sedan is now actually shorter by 2mm at 4,767mm and lower by 14mm at 1,456mm, but it has grown slightly wider by 12mm at 1,832mm.

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The exterior design is sleeker with prominent horizontal crease at the sides that act as the main character line that wraps around the car. Horizontal lines on the front also help to make the Passat look wider than before, with the top chrome strip from the grille now extends all the way to the headlamps. At the back LED lights are standard equipment, and bigger-engined versions have their tailpipes integrated neatly within the rear bumper.

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A total of ten engines with power outputs from 118HP to 276HP will be offered in the new Passat, and all equipped with a stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode. A plug-in hybrid drivetrain is offered for the first time in the Passat, coupling a 154HP 1.4 TSI petrol engine with a 80-kW electric motor. In total it produces 208HP and able to run on electric power alone for up to 50km. It has a super-amazing fuel consumption of 1.5l/100km.

Another highlight drivetrain is the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin turbo diesel, which is VW’s most powerful four-cylinder diesel engine to date. It generates 236HP and 500NM of torque. With such high amount of torque, it only comes with a 4MOTION all-wheel drive system and a 7-speed DSG transmission, yet its fuel consumption is rated at just 5.3l/100km.

Der neue Volkswagen Passat Variant

Inside, not only the interior length is 33mm longer than before, the new Passat is also filled with the latest tech such as the Active Info Display and the Head-Up Display. As seen on the latest Audi TT, the optional Active Info display uses a high-resolution 12.3-inch screen that displays everything from the usual speedometer and rev counter, to a detailed 3D map for navigation.

Meanwhile the Head-Up Display is customisable where the driver can select which information should be displayed on the extendable glass panel that sits below the windscreen. The dashboard also features an air vent that stretches across the front passenger which should help to control the cabin temperature more effectively.

Der neue Volkswagen Passat und Passat Variant

 

A host of driving assistance will be available in the new Passat such as Area View which displays a 360-degree view around the car, and Park Assist to help with parking, with additional Trailer Assist to help manouver the car when a trailer is attached at the back. When the vehicle is on the move, there are Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert to alert the driver on what’s happening around the car, and Traffic Assist that not only controls the car’s acceleration and braking in heavy traffic, but also steers the car and it’s claimed to work at speeds up to 60 km/h.

Other than that there’s Emergency Assist that helps to warn the driver if the system detects no input from the driver; if there’s still no feedback the system will help to stop the car and even activates the hazard lights.

Der neue Volkswagen Passat Variant R-Line

In Europe, Volkswagen will start taking orders for the new Passat from 10th July, with prices start from €25,875 for the sedan and €25,950 for the wagon.

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