Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Volkswagen Passat GT Concept Adds Some Spice To A Somewhat Bland Sedan

      How to make a Passat sporty by Volkswagen


    Let's be honest for a moment. The current Volkswagen Passat is about as interesting a looking a white wall. But we have to admit Volkswagen has been able to give Passat some style with the introduction of the Passat GT concept. 

    The exterior features a number of cues that you would find on the GTI such a honeycomb grille with a red outline, LED headlights, smoked taillights, and bumper treatments. The roof, mirror caps, and spoiler are blacked out. The interior features carbon fiber trim, black and gray sport seats, and a center console finished in piano black.

    Power comes from a 3.6L VR6 engine with 280 horsepower paired with a six-speed DSG transmission. A new exhaust system with trapezoidal tips has been tuned to produce a nice growl. The suspension has been dropped by 0.6-inches 

    “The Passat GT is an early example of how the new Volkswagen North American Region will meet the needs and desires of American customers going forward. We have the freedom and the responsibility to shape future North American vehicles here in the U.S., combining engineering resources from around the world with our unique perspective and talented local team,” said Dr. Matthias Erb, Chief Engineering Officer for the North American Region, Volkswagen. 

    Whether or not we see Volkswagen put the Passat GT into production remains to be seen.

    Source: Volkswagen 
    Press Release is on Page 2


    Volkswagen Unveils Passat GT Concept at Automobility LA

    Nov 14, 2016

    • Designed in America at the Engineering and Planning Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.
    • More than 20 interior/exterior updates create the most aggressive Passat yet
    • Combines 280-hp VR6 engine with lowered suspension and sport exhaust

    Herndon, Va. –  This week at Automobility LA, Volkswagen of America, Inc. will unveil the Passat GT concept, designed by the company’s North American engineering hub in Chattanooga, Tenn. Combining fresh styling updates with the powerful 280-hp VR6® engine, the Passat GT concept previews a potential addition to the Passat lineup. The concept was created by Volkswagen’s North American Engineering and Planning Center in Chattanooga based on extensive feedback from U.S. customers and dealers.

    “The Passat GT is an early example of how the new Volkswagen North American Region will meet the needs and desires of American customers going forward,” said Dr. Matthias Erb, Chief Engineering Officer, North American Region, Volkswagen. “We have the freedom and the responsibility to shape future North American vehicles here in the U.S., combining engineering resources from around the world with our unique perspective and talented local team.”

    More than 20 design changes from the standard Passat mark the GT as a unique, eye-catching sedan. Starting from the black honeycomb grille insert with red accent lines that harken to those on the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the upgrades include unique bumper treatments, black window surrounds, a black roof and trunk spoiler, LED headlights, smoked taillights, a dual trapezoidal exhaust and a sport muffler. The 19-inch Tornado wheels cover red-painted brake calipers, and a 0.6-inch reduction in ride height gives the Passat GT concept a road-hugging stance.

    Inside, the Passat GT creates a sportier impression with carbon-fiber pattern door trim and instrument panel, two-tone black-and-gray sport seats with contrast stitching, a black headliner and piano black center console trim. Power comes from the Volkswagen 3.6-liter TSI® VR6, which makes 280 horsepower, tied to a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, controlled through shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    6 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    So it's just an appearance package? Doesn't the Passat already have 280hp in V6 form?

    Yes. And unless they sharpened the suspension and steering, there's nothing really too compelling here. I mean, it does look kinda cool, but still. The 2.0T and a 6MT as options would have been nice offerings. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    11 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

    Yes. And unless they sharpened the suspension and steering, there's nothing really too compelling here. I mean, it does look kinda cool, but still. The 2.0T and a 6MT as options would have been nice offerings. 

    Sadly, I do not think we will see that.  Given VW's other problems, this is really too little, too late.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I like the look and the upgraded suspension sounds interesting, but they should up the power to say 300 for some extra differentiation.  A 6 speed manual would be interesting too. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • It's nice they're offering a hybrid this time around.
    • Yeah, it isn't the best looking vehicle I've ever seen. The rear is what REALLY kills it for me. It looks like two completely different parties designed the front 3/4 than the rear 1/4. 
    • Great updates. That interior, though... not at all a fan. Reminds me of something influenced by early 90s Saturn Ions or the 96 Taurus... I think it's the circles/ovals...
    • Good to see a Tesla fighter. That said, horrendous looking.
    • New York - "Bigger, Better, Further" is the tagline for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, released this morning at the New York International Auto Show. Hyundai's biggest SUV boasts a longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs, a new engine lineup, and more ambitious off-road trim. The 2026 Palisade's bold new design take the prior model's premium look even further upmarket.  Standing up tall and proud up front is a grille and fascia that would be at home on luxury brands significantly more expensive. The same upscale look is continued in a handsome side profile that is reminiscent of luxury competitors with two words in their name.  In spite of this upright and boxy look, Hyundai engineers achieved a 0.31 coefficient of drag, one of the lowest in the segment, to improve fuel economy and suppress wind noise.  Overall, the length and wheelbase grow by 2.5-inches and 2.7-inches respectively, but the front overhang is reduced by 1.6-inches. Those space increases offer occupants better ingress and egress to the redesigned interior. A large and detailed horizontal dash great the driver and front passenger with depth and large screens. Dual 12.1-inch displays provide easy access to information and entertainment while physical buttons are placed lower for more frequent adjustments. Standard is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with dual front wireless charging pads with active cooling.  An interesting option is an available UV sterilization compartment located in the center console.  An Advanced Rear Occupant Alert discreetly mounted beneath the headliner monitors the rear-seat area to detect the movements of children, automatically reminding drivers to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle. If the system detects movement in the rear seats after the driver leaves and locks the vehicle, it can sound the horn and send an alert to the driver’s smartphone via Bluelink. The system is designed to help prevent children from being forgotten in the car, but it can also help in the event that a child accidentally locks themselves in. Hyundai Digital Key 2.0 is offered, allowing owners to use their phone as their key and even "loan" keys digitally to friends or family.  Hyundai pay offers in-car payment functionality for gas pumps, parking garages, and more, protecting your card payments from skimmers. New Power Powertrains for the 2026 Palisade have been updated. A new 3.5-liter direct-injected V6 is offered as standard, making 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque (preliminary estimates) and attached to an 8-speed automatic driving either the front or all wheels. Targeted tow rating is 5,000 lbs. For the first time, the 2026 Palisade is also being offered with a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes an estimated 285 horsepower. Inside the hybrid's 6-speed automatic transmission are two electric motors that add up to an additional 90 horsepower for a total of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.   The hybrid is targeted to achieve over 30 mpg on the highway and a range of up to 619 miles to a tank. Hyundai targets a 4,000 lb tow rating for the hybrid. Update to the XRT trim For 2026, Hyundai updates the XRT trim to XRT Pro with greater visual differentiation and capabilities. XRT PRO-exclusive electronic rear limited-slip differential (eLSD) 8.4 inches of ground clearance (+1 inch vs. non XRT PRO models) Improved approach (20.5°), departure (22.4°), and breakover (18.3°) geometry All-terrain 255/60R18 tires Blind Spot View Monitor Surround View Monitor (with forward ground view) Real-time pitch and roll, compass, and elevation displays HTRAC® all-wheel drive New Mud, Sand, and Snow terrain modes Exposed functional canyon red recovery hooks front and rear Downhill Brake Control Tow mode OEM tow hitch XRT PRO-exclusive 18-inch dark-finish alloy wheels XRT PRO rear badging XRT dark exterior accents (grille, window surround, cladding) H-Tex leatherette seating surfaces with front heating and ventilation Heated steering wheel Bose® 14-speaker premium audio system Ambient lighting 115-volt power outlet Power moonroof The 2026 Palisade will be built in Ulsan, South Korea. ICE models are set to arrive at Hyundai dealers in early summer, with hybrid models scheduled to go on sale early fall.   View full article
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search