Currently reading: New Volkswagen Passat spotted - first pictures
VW’s mid-range saloon and estate get MQB platform and edgier looks

The new Volkswagen Passat has been spied wearing a production-based body for the first time ahead of its planned unveiling at the Paris motor show in September. 

Key among the innovations adopted by the new Passat, known internally as the ‘B8’, is VW’s highly flexible MQB platform structure.

The MQB platform provides the Passat with greater component sharing potential with other VWs. It also helps to streamline production by enabling the new Passat to be assembled on the same assembly line as the Volkswagen Golf.

The early road-going prototypes are heavily disguised, but the new Passat is said to take on a much edgier look and have tauter surfacing in line with the styling direction taken by the latest Golf.

Insiders privy to early design models suggest that the new car has gained a more technically orientated appearance. A clear focus on panel fit and shutline architecture is said to provide a lift in perceived quality.

Together with the standard saloon and estate models spied here, VW also plans a follow-up to the Passat Alltrack - a rugged, high-riding version of the estate.

As evidenced by the prototypes here, the future incarnation of VW’s traditional mid-range model is slightly longer but considerably wider than today’s Passat. Its longer wheelbase provides scope for added interior accommodation.

The Passat is earmarked to receive a heavily updated range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, of 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. Diesels will include carried-over versions of VW’s 1.6 and 2.0 TDI in varying states of tune. A super-frugal Passat BlueMotion model should achieve more than 70mpg.

Mirroring the move made with the Golf, VW also plans a plug-in hybrid version of the new Passat. It will mix a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. 

Buyers will be offered the choice of either standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive on a number of different engines. A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto optional. 

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The VW Passat is a competent family car - but does it show any flair, and does it stand out amongst established executive saloons from BMW, Audi and Mercedes?

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The Apprentice 17 January 2014

Agree too big

I think the oversize issue actually killed off many Mondeo sales to a substantial extent, all our drivers of them find it a pain and vow never again, its ridiculous when you get the estate in a space and 2 foot of bonnet are still sticking out the front.

Same here with the Passat, it will damage sales, where do they think people who drive company cars park? tight, overcrowded company or public car parks day in day out of course. Tiresome, poor packaging.

scotty5 17 January 2014

Supersize me.

The Apprentice wrote:

I think the oversize issue actually killed off many Mondeo sales to a substantial extent.

Here's a fact to bore readers even more. Who remembers the 'square' Volvo V70 which ended production in 2000? That car was vast, the antique dealer's car of choice. I bought one of the last Classic V70's in 2000, and although I hate antiques, I did on one occasion have cause to collect a floor -to- ceiling display cabinet from an antiques auction.

That V70 was 4720mm long. Today's 'small' Passat SALOON is 4769mm. A Ford Mondeo HATCH is 4778, but even those are dwarfed by the Insigna HATCH at 4830mm !!! Remember those are NOT estate versions yet everyone of them is bigger than that V70.

No wonder a 2nd hand Golf costs more than a Passat, a Focus more than a Mondeo, and an Astra more than an Insignia - nobody bloody want's them! they're too big! Manufacturers, hello-ho!!!

Lanehogger 17 January 2014

VW sense?

The 1st generation (B1), 2nd generation (B2) and 4th generation (B5/B5.5) Passats had longitudinal engines by virtue of sharing their platforms with the Audi 80/A4. The 3rd generation (B3) and the current, 5th generation (B6/B7), models have Golf-derived platforms. The North American Passat is, I believe, also based on the same Golf platform as the current European Passat.

What I fail to understand however is why VW went to the time and expense of designing an all-new car for the North American market that has the same platform, is only 4" longer, the same width and has styling that is almost identical to the Euro model (the only immediate difference is the addition of a 3rd side window). I can understand VW wanting to cut costs by building a Passat in the USA, but why not just build the Euro one there and, to cut costs further, lower the quality of some of the materials and then introduce this forthcoming MQB-based model on both side of the pond rather than have 2 Passats based on different platforms.

optima 17 January 2014

Parking

I hope supermarkets and car parks take note, I can barley get the wife's Passat in most parking bays at the supermarket as it is without one of us getting out of the car before we park otherwise there is no chance of opening both doors.