The Volkswagen Passat is still king of the midsize segment in Europe, with almost 80,000 sold in the first half of 2014. However, both it and the Mondeo have struggled recently due to the popularity of similarly priced premium models like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. Now Wolfsburg is taking back what is rightfully its with an all-new eight-generation that's not only better in every way than its predecessor, but also stands to reinvent the segment. 41 years after its initial launch, the Passat is now a mature, complete package.
The 2015 Passat is based on the same platform that underpins the Mk7 Golf and the Audi A3, both of which have won the Car of the Year award. By using the MQB, engineers have been able to shed a considerable chunk of weight and include all the best compact engines available from across the Volkswagen group. Depending on the model, the B8 Passat is up to 85 kg (188 lbs) less heavy than its predecessor.
A car of many firsts
The new Passat comes with LED taillights, optional LED headlights that adapt to the road, a 12.3-inch digital speedometer and more active safety systems than any mid-size sedan or estate. All these features don't come cheap, but are noticeably less expensive than on a Mercedes or BMW. The cabin has been extended in every direction, along with the boot. Short of an S-Class, there's not much more you can ask of a sedan.
At launch, the Passat is available only with a few engines which Volkswagen hopes will be the most popular. The bulk of sales will come from the new 2.0 TDI or 1.4 TSI, both generating 150 PS. This is also the first Volkswagen available with an all-new twin-turbo 2.0 TDI that pushes an almost unbelievable (for its size) 240 PS. With the help of its standard all-wheel drive and DSG gearbox, this flagship can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, faster than the famous Golf GTI hot hatch.
Eventually, 10 different powertrains will be available on the new Passat. A futuristic plug-in hybrid model makes its Paris today. Called the Passat GTE, this model features 218 combined PS, an estimated average fuel consumption of 2 l/100 km (117.6 mpg US) and all-electric driving range of up to 50 km (31 miles). However, this won't be ready to go on sale until around the middle of 2015.
Prices
Even as it's making its motor show debut in Paris, the new Passat is already on sale across many European markets. In Germany, prices start at €30,375 for a Comfortline model with reasonable trim (including LED headlights). If you want the amazing BiTDI we talked about, it will set you back anywhere from €43,625.
UK prices were also revealed a few days before the Paris event. There, both the estate and saloon will be offered only with diesel engines, starting with a new 1.6 TDI making 120 PS. There, the 2015 Passat will cost from £22,215.
Paris to America and Beijing
North American buyers will have to put up with the same boring Passat design for at least another year, if not more. This despite the fact that Volkswagen USA sales have been falling like a rock in the middle of the best sales year this market has witnessed in a decade.
Customers in China are going to be a little more fortunate. Volkswagen is the most popular foreign car brand in the county and the new Passat is part of their future growth plan. It will look the same, but a slightly longer wheelbase will be added before going into local production soon, under the name "Magotan".
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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