NEWS
New Passat launched in Europe
...but Australian showrooms won't see the model until this time next yearVolkswagen has launched its new eighth-generation Passat in Europe this week, but it seems Australians will have to wait.
The new Passat, which goes on sale in Germany from November, is offered in both sedan and wagon body styles and with the choice of petrol and diesel power. But it will not make it to local showrooms until October 2015, as strong demand in other markets inhibits the early supply of right-hand drive models.
It's the one small sticking point in what appears to be a comprehensively well equipped and modern mid-size offering from Volkswagen. The new Passat offers more of what we've come to expect from the brand, and is a generational improvement over the current model in much the same way the Golf VII was over the Golf VI.
Volkswagen Australia spokesperson, Karl Gehling, said the local market is set to receive both the 1.8-litre turbo-petrol (TSI) rated at 132kW, and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (TDI) producing 135kW, but says the high-output 2.0-litre BiTurbo diesel with 176kW is still unconfirmed. Engine offerings across the range are said to be as much as 20 per cent more efficient than the preceding model range.
In Europe, the Passat is also offered with lower capacity petrol and diesel powerplants, and the new hybrid 'GTE' variant. None of which are under consideration for the local market. Australia will also offer the Passat exclusively in conjunction with dual-clutch transmissions, foregoing the six-speed manual on offer elsewhere.
But perhaps the biggest news for the new Passat comes not from under the bonnet, but from inside the cab. The stylish, linear design of the dashboard, high-tech instrument panel and infotainment system offer all of the technology we've come to expect from premium German brands like Audi and BMW though, hopefully, at a more reasonable price.
Built on Volkswagen's new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, the new Passat is up to 85kg lighter than the model it replaces, but also more torsionally rigid. It's 79mm longer in wheelbase, yet dimensionally shorter than its predecessor at 4767mm long (-2mm), lower at 1456mm (-14mm) yet 12mm wider (1832mm).
Inside, however, the new Passat offers more space — the occupant cell has grown 33mm and the boot space by 21 litres (now 586) for sedans and 47 litres (now 650) for the wagon — while also offering more convenience and more safety.
LED headlights are now standard on the top-shelf Passat Highline, while safety systems new to the range include Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Monitoring and Emergency Assist. A new Audi-esque digital instrument panel and head-up display (on selected models) offer a comprehensive look at the car's operating information.
Parking has never been easier, with the new Passat not only offering Park Assist for the those tricky supermarket car parks, but also Trailer Assist for the reverse-parking of trailers (up to 2200kg braked capacity), Side Assist and Rear Traffic Alert for reversing from tight spots, and Area View birds-eye camera system in addition to the standard reversing camera.
On high-grade models, Traffic Jam Assist combines radar cruise control and lane-keeping technology to control the car's operation in stop-start traffic, allowing the Passat to drive autonomously below 60km/h.
As expected, infotainment systems alter with the levels of trim, with touch screen sizes ranging from 6.5 through to 8.0 inches. Wi-Fi connectivity is also available on selected models.
In Europe, the new Passat is offered in three equipment lines: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline respectively with the R-Line package available optionally. It is expected the Australian line-up will mirror this trend when the new Passat arrives here this time next year.
Volkswagen Australia has yet to comment on local specification or pricing but says we shouldn't expect too much movement over the current retail position. Locally, the Volkswagen Passat starts from $38,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry grade 118TSI with the range-topping V6 FSI Highline selling from $59,240 (plus ORCs).
Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our launch review of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat.
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Written byMatt Brogan
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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