The 8th generation Passat will be unveiled to the world in July this year as the 2015 model and will be packing a series of the automaker’s latest technologies and equipment that will eventually trickle down into other Volkswagen cars as well in the future. Now ahead of the global unveil just months down the line, the German auto giant has previewed some of those state-of-the-art technologies that will make its debut on the 2015 Volkswagen Passat.
The 2015 Passat will be based on Volkswagen’s very flexible MQB platform that has been made with the incorporation of high-tensile strength steel and aluminium in parts and makes the sedan 85 kgs lighter over its predecessor. The light weight will also help the Passat achieve a higher fuel efficiency improved by around 20 percent. In terms of dimensions though, the overall size of the sedan has shrunk, but Volkswagen says that the cabin has expanded to provide additional headroom and legroom as well as increased luggage space.
The updates to the cabin will include a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster also seen on other Volkswagen Group models like the Lamborghini Huracan (not a typo!), along with a heads-up display, an advanced infotainment system, 360-degree Area View function and the latest generation Park Assist, which comes with the option to park the car itself forwards into perpendicular spaces. The other feature confirmed is the new Trailer Assist, which provides assistance when reversing while having a trailer attached.
The 2015 Volkswagen Passat will feature a range of safety equipment on board which includes Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert; Traffic Jam Assist which is for making stop-and-go driving more comfortable; Emergency Assist, which can potentially halt a vehicle when the driver is incapacitated; and the latest Front Assist system with City Emergency Braking, which optionally combines both radar and camera sensors to add pedestrian detection. The Passat also gets rear LED tail lights, while the headlights are available with halogens or LEDs.
Volkswagen states that the next generation Passat will get two new engines which include a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbo diesel mill that produces 240 PS of power and 500 Nm of torque at 1750 RPM and will come with a very exclusive new 7-speed DSG automatic transmission and 4Motion four-wheel drive technology. The other engine planned is a plug-in hybrid variant which will be able to travel up to 49.6 kms alone on electric power and will offer a combined range of 960 kms. Apart from the bi-turbo diesel variant, all other models will feature a 6-speed manual sending power to the front wheels.
The next generation Passat will be unveiled in July with further details and pictures available then, followed by an official global debut in October at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Volkswagen has confirmed that the orders for the sedan will be open in the UK by the end of the year; while deliveries are only expected in early 2015. The India launch for the next generation Passat however, is still some time away.
