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Volkswagen has released some sketches of the upcoming 2020 Passat that will be debuting next month at the Detroit Auto Show. It is clear that the automaker is addressing one of the biggest complaints about the current model, the boring exterior. Volkswagen is taking some ideas from the smaller Jetta with a larger, upright grille; creasing along the side, and new trunk lid design. Aside from the roof, Volkswagen says all of the body panels are new or modified. According to media who got the chance to see the car in person during a preview event, the 2020 Passat's interior features a new center stack with an updated infotainment system. Overall interior space is still expansive. We were hoping that the next Passat would transition over to the MQB platform, but the model will remain on the PQ46 platform that underpins the current model. Why is that? “This segment is shrinking, and we figured that we can give the customers all they need with the current platform instead of spending to switch to a new one,” said Kai Oltmanns, product manager for the Passat to Motor1. Automotive News reports that the 2020 Passat will retain the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder and six-speed automatic. Pricing for the 2020 Passat will be announced near to its release date, expected to sometime next summer. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Motor1, Volkswagen View full article
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Volkswagen has released some sketches of the upcoming 2020 Passat that will be debuting next month at the Detroit Auto Show. It is clear that the automaker is addressing one of the biggest complaints about the current model, the boring exterior. Volkswagen is taking some ideas from the smaller Jetta with a larger, upright grille; creasing along the side, and new trunk lid design. Aside from the roof, Volkswagen says all of the body panels are new or modified. According to media who got the chance to see the car in person during a preview event, the 2020 Passat's interior features a new center stack with an updated infotainment system. Overall interior space is still expansive. We were hoping that the next Passat would transition over to the MQB platform, but the model will remain on the PQ46 platform that underpins the current model. Why is that? “This segment is shrinking, and we figured that we can give the customers all they need with the current platform instead of spending to switch to a new one,” said Kai Oltmanns, product manager for the Passat to Motor1. Automotive News reports that the 2020 Passat will retain the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder and six-speed automatic. Pricing for the 2020 Passat will be announced near to its release date, expected to sometime next summer. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Motor1, Volkswagen -
Whenever you walk onto a dealer’s lot and look at the selection of midsize sedans, they are for the most part equipped with their base four-cylinder engine. It is what most people buy as they provide the balance of power and fuel economy they are looking for. But among the base four-cylinders lie a few of the models equipped with the more powerful engine, whether it be a turbocharged four-cylinder or V6. Are you missing out by not going with the larger engine? We decided to investigate this with the recently updated 2016 Volkswagen Passat and its optional V6. The V6 in question is a 3.6 with 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine also powers the CC and Touareg. Drop it into the Passat and it makes the vehicle a hot-rod. If you’re not careful with the accelerator when leaving a stop, you will spin the front tires easily. Once you figure out how lightly you need to step on the accelerator when the light turns green, you’ll be impressed at how fast the Passat pickups speed. More impressive is how V6 goes about its business with barely any noise or vibrations. I know four-cylinders, in general, have gotten better in terms of NVH, but the V6 still holds a clear advantage in this regard. There are some pitfalls the Passat’s V6 option. First is the standard DSG dual-clutch transmission. At low speeds, this transmission exhibits hesitation and causes the vehicle lurch and even bog down. The DSG does get its act together at higher speeds where it delivers some of the fastest shifts in the class. But I can’t help but wonder how much better it would have been if the V6 was paired with an automatic. Second is fuel economy. The Passat is rated by the EPA at 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined, which is the lowest fuel economy numbers in the class. Our average for week reflects this with an average of 22.1 MPG. In terms of the ride, the Passat feels like a big American sedan. Bumps and road noise barely make their way inside, making it the perfect long-distance cruiser. Around corners, the Passat shows a little bit of body roll. Steering feels direct, but I did find myself wanting a bit more weight. Volkswagen made some much-needed changes to the Passat’s exterior. The front end gets a larger grille, new headlights, and a reshaped hood. Other changes include a new trunk lid and revised wheels. Yes, the Passat still looks a bit dull when compared to the competition. But to be fair, the changes do give the Passat some semblance of style. The interior hasn’t changed much since we checked out the Passat back in 2014, and that isn’t a bad thing. There is still the well laid out dashboard and a spacious back seat that could rival flagship luxury sedans. New for 2016 is the ability to run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through the infotainment system. Unlike some of other the vehicles I have tried with CarPlay, I didn’t run into any issues. The system recognized my phone within seconds of plugging it in and brought up the CarPlay moments thereafter. Also, I found that none of the apps I used through CarPlay crashed or have some sort of other problem. There is one big problem with the V6 option for the Passat, the price. To get into the V6, you need to opt for the top SEL Premium trim which starts at $36,835. Add in destination and you’re looking at a final price of $37,655. You do get a lot of equipment such as blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, dual-zone climate control, navigation, and Fender audio system as standard. But that same amount of money can get you into a decently equipped luxury sedan. Making this more problematic is you can get the SEL Premium with the 1.8 turbo for only $2,300 less. The 1.8 turbo is a great engine as it delivers decent power and refinement, and features excellent fuel economy figures (25 City/38 Highway/29 Combined). The Passat’s V6 option isn’t as great as you might think. The engine gives the model some real thrust, but, the 1.8T feels just as fast and doesn’t have to visit the gas station as often. Plus the high point of entry makes this a non-starter for more people. Think of it this way, the Passat V6 is the model that will sell you into getting a lower trim of the Passat or even another midsize sedan. Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the Passat, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Volkswagen Model: Passat Trim: V6 SEL Premium Engine: 3.6L FSI VR6 Driveline: Six-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 280 @ 6,200 Torque @ RPM: 258 @ 2,500 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 20/28/23 Curb Weight: 3,571 lbs Location of Manufacture: Chattanooga, Tennessee Base Price: $36,835 As Tested Price: $37,655 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A -
Whenever you walk onto a dealer’s lot and look at the selection of midsize sedans, they are for the most part equipped with their base four-cylinder engine. It is what most people buy as they provide the balance of power and fuel economy they are looking for. But among the base four-cylinders lie a few of the models equipped with the more powerful engine, whether it be a turbocharged four-cylinder or V6. Are you missing out by not going with the larger engine? We decided to investigate this with the recently updated 2016 Volkswagen Passat and its optional V6. The V6 in question is a 3.6 with 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine also powers the CC and Touareg. Drop it into the Passat and it makes the vehicle a hot-rod. If you’re not careful with the accelerator when leaving a stop, you will spin the front tires easily. Once you figure out how lightly you need to step on the accelerator when the light turns green, you’ll be impressed at how fast the Passat pickups speed. More impressive is how V6 goes about its business with barely any noise or vibrations. I know four-cylinders, in general, have gotten better in terms of NVH, but the V6 still holds a clear advantage in this regard. There are some pitfalls the Passat’s V6 option. First is the standard DSG dual-clutch transmission. At low speeds, this transmission exhibits hesitation and causes the vehicle lurch and even bog down. The DSG does get its act together at higher speeds where it delivers some of the fastest shifts in the class. But I can’t help but wonder how much better it would have been if the V6 was paired with an automatic. Second is fuel economy. The Passat is rated by the EPA at 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined, which is the lowest fuel economy numbers in the class. Our average for week reflects this with an average of 22.1 MPG. In terms of the ride, the Passat feels like a big American sedan. Bumps and road noise barely make their way inside, making it the perfect long-distance cruiser. Around corners, the Passat shows a little bit of body roll. Steering feels direct, but I did find myself wanting a bit more weight. Volkswagen made some much-needed changes to the Passat’s exterior. The front end gets a larger grille, new headlights, and a reshaped hood. Other changes include a new trunk lid and revised wheels. Yes, the Passat still looks a bit dull when compared to the competition. But to be fair, the changes do give the Passat some semblance of style. The interior hasn’t changed much since we checked out the Passat back in 2014, and that isn’t a bad thing. There is still the well laid out dashboard and a spacious back seat that could rival flagship luxury sedans. New for 2016 is the ability to run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through the infotainment system. Unlike some of other the vehicles I have tried with CarPlay, I didn’t run into any issues. The system recognized my phone within seconds of plugging it in and brought up the CarPlay moments thereafter. Also, I found that none of the apps I used through CarPlay crashed or have some sort of other problem. There is one big problem with the V6 option for the Passat, the price. To get into the V6, you need to opt for the top SEL Premium trim which starts at $36,835. Add in destination and you’re looking at a final price of $37,655. You do get a lot of equipment such as blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, dual-zone climate control, navigation, and Fender audio system as standard. But that same amount of money can get you into a decently equipped luxury sedan. Making this more problematic is you can get the SEL Premium with the 1.8 turbo for only $2,300 less. The 1.8 turbo is a great engine as it delivers decent power and refinement, and features excellent fuel economy figures (25 City/38 Highway/29 Combined). The Passat’s V6 option isn’t as great as you might think. The engine gives the model some real thrust, but, the 1.8T feels just as fast and doesn’t have to visit the gas station as often. Plus the high point of entry makes this a non-starter for more people. Think of it this way, the Passat V6 is the model that will sell you into getting a lower trim of the Passat or even another midsize sedan. Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the Passat, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Volkswagen Model: Passat Trim: V6 SEL Premium Engine: 3.6L FSI VR6 Driveline: Six-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 280 @ 6,200 Torque @ RPM: 258 @ 2,500 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 20/28/23 Curb Weight: 3,571 lbs Location of Manufacture: Chattanooga, Tennessee Base Price: $36,835 As Tested Price: $37,655 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 30, 2012 Volkswagen's tenure in the U.S. has been one of many changes. When introduced into the U.S. market during the 1950’s, Volkswagen was the funky value choice with a lineup including the Beetle and the Bus. In the 1970’s, Volkswagen would morph into the brand that would offer high-quality budget cars. The high quality would solider on, while the budget part would be pushed aside for premium from the 1980’s to the late 2000's. Starting in this decade, Volkswagen made some ambitious plans, selling 800,000 vehicles in the U.S. by 2018. That meant changes once again to the lineup which caused some outrage in the automotive enthusiast world; shedding the luxury and sportiness that most enthusiasts have come to know about the German brands. The Jetta and Passat would shed some of their premium trimmings to bring back the value oriented aspect that Volkswagen originated with. However, consumers have been going with crazy with the Jetta and Passat, both seeing huge sales since being introduced. At the end of last year, the Jetta saw a 54.5% increase in year to date sales and the Passat saw a 124% increase in year to date sales. So what do consumers see that enthusiasts don’t in the Jetta and Passat? To find out, a 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE was dropped off for a week’s evaluation. Next: The Outside View Exterior Plain. That's the best word to describe the Passat's exterior. There are no flared wheel arches, coupe like roof, short decklid, and other design cues that are in use today in the midsize sedan market. Instead, Volkswagen went for a safe, conservative look with the new Passat. You’ll still be able to tell its part of the Volkswagen family due in part to the large, angular chrome grille and wide stance. Chrome trim on front air dam and the door window frames, and a set of seventeen-inch alloy wheels complete the look. Next: Step Inside Interior Space, the final frontier. Those words I’m sure were written on the board for the team handling the Passat’s interior since how much space is inside. Head and legroom for both front and rear passengers either place the Passat at the top or within the top five in the class. Plus, the interior is bright and airy, helping the illusion of more interior space As for the materials, the new Passat drops the luxury materials from the last generation and goes for a mix of soft and hard-touch materials. Materials are average for the class. As for the Passat’s build quality, that is above average. This being the SE model, you do get a lot of standard features for $25,525 (as tested price); V-Tex leatherette covered seats, an eight-way power seat for the driver, heated front seats, and automatic climate control. For your entertainment, the Passat SE comes with a five-inch color touch screen radio that provides AM/FM/SirusXM/Aux/Bluetooth and runs through an eight-speaker sound system. The touchscreen is very responsive and bright. Next: Under the Hood Powertrain Like all of the other players in the midsize sedan market, Volkswagen offers a variety of powertrains to meet a person’s needs, ranging from a base 2.5L five-cylinder, to a 2.0L turbo-diesel four, and a 3.6L V6. Our Passat was equipped with the base 2.5L five-cylinder engine producing 170 HP and 177 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. Volkswagen takes a lot of abuse for the performance of the 2.5L five-cylinder, but most of it is deserved. Leaving a stop, you’re left wondering where the power is until the engine reaches above 2000 RPM and the power decides to show up. Also, compared to other four-cylinders in the market, the 2.5L is a bit noisier. Thankfully, the six-speed automatic does a good job of providing smooth shifts and keeping the Passat in the right gear. EPA rates the 2.5L in the Passat at 22 City/31 Highway/25 Combined. Our average for the week was 28.2 MPG, the majority of the driving taking place on suburban and rural roads. Next: Shall We Go For a Drive? Ride & Drive The Passat trades in the BMW-on-a-Budget handling for something a bit softer. It won't be popular with enthusiasts, but hey, this this is a People's Car and the general public tends to like their suspensions a bit softer. If enthusiasts want a Volkswagen product that competes with BMW, that's what Audi is for. On highways or city roads, the Passat’s suspension does a good job of minimizing the shock of bumps and other road imperfections. As for sound insulation, the Passat minimizes road and wind noise very well. But don’t think the Passat is a big soft sedan. Volkswagen did leave some sharpness for the new Passat. The suspension does have enough damping to cope with enthusiastic driving. The steering is weighted just right and direct. Now, the Passat won’t run rings around competitors like the Kia Optima, but for most buyers who want a little bit of fun with their comfort, the Passat will serve their needs. Visibility for the Passat is very good with the front and side giving a good view of the road. Rear visibility is hindered due to a smallish rear window and tall trunklid. This causes a problem when backing-up. Next: And the Verdict.. Verdict The new Passat appears to be a winner in Volkswagen’s lineup. The first six months of 2012 saw Volkswagen moving 10,252 Passats compared to 2010 when only 747 Passat sedans were sold. Throw the Passat wagon into the mix and the number jumps to 1,108 sold. Now, the U.S. doesn’t get the Passat as a wagon like the European market. Also, the European market gets a Passat Alltrack, a Passat wagon kitted with AWD and a higher ride height. Volkswagen did show the Alltrack at this year’s New York Auto Show to gage reaction, so there could be a chance of the Alltrack coming to the U.S. in the next few years. To accomplish this sales success, Volkswagen did make some concessions with the new Passat. But the majority of buyers won’t care about the lack of luxury materials that were in the previous Passat. Nor will they cry when they realize the new Passat doesn’t have the same driving dynamics of the previous model. What most buyers will notice is the amount of interior space, high exterior and interior quality, range of engines, and the low pricetag. However, not everyone will like the plain-jane styling of the new Passat. Also, the 2.5L five-cylinder is an unimpressive engine, despite delivering an impressive fuel economy number for the week. Is the new Passat a winner in my books? Yes, it accomplishes Volkswagen's goal of increasing US sales by catering more to the tastes of the US market and its not a bad midsize sedan to boot. Cheers: Interior Space Build Quality Fuel Economy Six-Speed Automatic Smooth Ride Jeers: 2.5L Engine Plain Styling Disclaimer: Volkswagen provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gas. Year - 2012 Make – Volkswagen Model – Passat Trim – 2.5 SE Engine – 2.5L inline-five Driveline – Front Wheel Drive, Six Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM - 170 @ 5700 Torque @ RPM - 177 @ 4250 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 22/31/25 Curb Weight – 3221 lbs Location of Manufacture – Volkswagen Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN Base Price - $24,825.00 As Tested Price - $25,525.00 (Includes $770.00 Destination Charge) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 30, 2012 Volkswagen's tenure in the U.S. has been one of many changes. When introduced into the U.S. market during the 1950’s, Volkswagen was the funky value choice with a lineup including the Beetle and the Bus. In the 1970’s, Volkswagen would morph into the brand that would offer high-quality budget cars. The high quality would solider on, while the budget part would be pushed aside for premium from the 1980’s to the late 2000's. Starting in this decade, Volkswagen made some ambitious plans, selling 800,000 vehicles in the U.S. by 2018. That meant changes once again to the lineup which caused some outrage in the automotive enthusiast world; shedding the luxury and sportiness that most enthusiasts have come to know about the German brands. The Jetta and Passat would shed some of their premium trimmings to bring back the value oriented aspect that Volkswagen originated with. However, consumers have been going with crazy with the Jetta and Passat, both seeing huge sales since being introduced. At the end of last year, the Jetta saw a 54.5% increase in year to date sales and the Passat saw a 124% increase in year to date sales. So what do consumers see that enthusiasts don’t in the Jetta and Passat? To find out, a 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE was dropped off for a week’s evaluation. Next: The Outside View Exterior Plain. That's the best word to describe the Passat's exterior. There are no flared wheel arches, coupe like roof, short decklid, and other design cues that are in use today in the midsize sedan market. Instead, Volkswagen went for a safe, conservative look with the new Passat. You’ll still be able to tell its part of the Volkswagen family due in part to the large, angular chrome grille and wide stance. Chrome trim on front air dam and the door window frames, and a set of seventeen-inch alloy wheels complete the look. Next: Step Inside Interior Space, the final frontier. Those words I’m sure were written on the board for the team handling the Passat’s interior since how much space is inside. Head and legroom for both front and rear passengers either place the Passat at the top or within the top five in the class. Plus, the interior is bright and airy, helping the illusion of more interior space As for the materials, the new Passat drops the luxury materials from the last generation and goes for a mix of soft and hard-touch materials. Materials are average for the class. As for the Passat’s build quality, that is above average. This being the SE model, you do get a lot of standard features for $25,525 (as tested price); V-Tex leatherette covered seats, an eight-way power seat for the driver, heated front seats, and automatic climate control. For your entertainment, the Passat SE comes with a five-inch color touch screen radio that provides AM/FM/SirusXM/Aux/Bluetooth and runs through an eight-speaker sound system. The touchscreen is very responsive and bright. Next: Under the Hood Powertrain Like all of the other players in the midsize sedan market, Volkswagen offers a variety of powertrains to meet a person’s needs, ranging from a base 2.5L five-cylinder, to a 2.0L turbo-diesel four, and a 3.6L V6. Our Passat was equipped with the base 2.5L five-cylinder engine producing 170 HP and 177 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. Volkswagen takes a lot of abuse for the performance of the 2.5L five-cylinder, but most of it is deserved. Leaving a stop, you’re left wondering where the power is until the engine reaches above 2000 RPM and the power decides to show up. Also, compared to other four-cylinders in the market, the 2.5L is a bit noisier. Thankfully, the six-speed automatic does a good job of providing smooth shifts and keeping the Passat in the right gear. EPA rates the 2.5L in the Passat at 22 City/31 Highway/25 Combined. Our average for the week was 28.2 MPG, the majority of the driving taking place on suburban and rural roads. Next: Shall We Go For a Drive? Ride & Drive The Passat trades in the BMW-on-a-Budget handling for something a bit softer. It won't be popular with enthusiasts, but hey, this this is a People's Car and the general public tends to like their suspensions a bit softer. If enthusiasts want a Volkswagen product that competes with BMW, that's what Audi is for. On highways or city roads, the Passat’s suspension does a good job of minimizing the shock of bumps and other road imperfections. As for sound insulation, the Passat minimizes road and wind noise very well. But don’t think the Passat is a big soft sedan. Volkswagen did leave some sharpness for the new Passat. The suspension does have enough damping to cope with enthusiastic driving. The steering is weighted just right and direct. Now, the Passat won’t run rings around competitors like the Kia Optima, but for most buyers who want a little bit of fun with their comfort, the Passat will serve their needs. Visibility for the Passat is very good with the front and side giving a good view of the road. Rear visibility is hindered due to a smallish rear window and tall trunklid. This causes a problem when backing-up. Next: And the Verdict.. Verdict The new Passat appears to be a winner in Volkswagen’s lineup. The first six months of 2012 saw Volkswagen moving 10,252 Passats compared to 2010 when only 747 Passat sedans were sold. Throw the Passat wagon into the mix and the number jumps to 1,108 sold. Now, the U.S. doesn’t get the Passat as a wagon like the European market. Also, the European market gets a Passat Alltrack, a Passat wagon kitted with AWD and a higher ride height. Volkswagen did show the Alltrack at this year’s New York Auto Show to gage reaction, so there could be a chance of the Alltrack coming to the U.S. in the next few years. To accomplish this sales success, Volkswagen did make some concessions with the new Passat. But the majority of buyers won’t care about the lack of luxury materials that were in the previous Passat. Nor will they cry when they realize the new Passat doesn’t have the same driving dynamics of the previous model. What most buyers will notice is the amount of interior space, high exterior and interior quality, range of engines, and the low pricetag. However, not everyone will like the plain-jane styling of the new Passat. Also, the 2.5L five-cylinder is an unimpressive engine, despite delivering an impressive fuel economy number for the week. Is the new Passat a winner in my books? Yes, it accomplishes Volkswagen's goal of increasing US sales by catering more to the tastes of the US market and its not a bad midsize sedan to boot. Cheers: Interior Space Build Quality Fuel Economy Six-Speed Automatic Smooth Ride Jeers: 2.5L Engine Plain Styling Disclaimer: Volkswagen provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gas. Year - 2012 Make – Volkswagen Model – Passat Trim – 2.5 SE Engine – 2.5L inline-five Driveline – Front Wheel Drive, Six Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM - 170 @ 5700 Torque @ RPM - 177 @ 4250 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 22/31/25 Curb Weight – 3221 lbs Location of Manufacture – Volkswagen Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN Base Price - $24,825.00 As Tested Price - $25,525.00 (Includes $770.00 Destination Charge) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.
