Photo: Volkswagen
The 8th generation Volkswagen Passat has just been announced as the Europe's new "Car of the Year" after a multinational jury voted the MQB-based machine ahead of 6 other competitors - BMW 2 Series AT, Citroen C4 Cactus, the new Ford Mondeo, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Qashqai and Renault Twingo.
This is the second MQB-based car to win the same award, as the Golf 7 received the title in 2013. Before that, Volkswagen also won with the Polo supermini in 2010. We've already tested the Passat and found that it has made great improvements in terms of refinement, cabin space and build quality. Right now, the model is available in sedan and estate forms, but a new Passat Alltrack will be launched in Geneva, where the 2015 award was also handed over to VW officials.
"We are extremely proud of this accolade," explained Prof. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, at the prize-giving ceremony in Geneva. "In the new Passat we have again succeeded in developing a car that sets the standards for its class in terms of technology and quality. This honour is a tremendous confirmation for the work of our engineers, designers and the entire team. The new Passat shows that the Volkswagen brand has the right answers to the challenges of our time."
IN 2011, the Nissan scored with its Leaf pure EV. As you can see, the hype surrounding green automobiles has died down and awards are now focusing on more conventional cars that the majority of European buyers are interested in.
In 2014, Michael Ramstetter, the ADAC’s former communications chief executive, admitted that the results were faked, as VW actually received 3,400 votes but was announced to have ten times as many, 34,000 votes.
We are in no way saying that the 2015 Passat is not a class-leading machine, but that should detract from the fact that the Mazda6, Mondeo or Insignia are also pretty good.
"We are extremely proud of this accolade," explained Prof. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, at the prize-giving ceremony in Geneva. "In the new Passat we have again succeeded in developing a car that sets the standards for its class in terms of technology and quality. This honour is a tremendous confirmation for the work of our engineers, designers and the entire team. The new Passat shows that the Volkswagen brand has the right answers to the challenges of our time."
Curios what other cars won car of the year?
Of course you are. It's been a mixed batch the past few years. In 2014, The new Peugeot 308 took home the laurels, a huge marketing boost for the French brand and its whole lineup. In 2013, the Golf won, and a year before that the Volt/Ampera range-extended EVs won.IN 2011, the Nissan scored with its Leaf pure EV. As you can see, the hype surrounding green automobiles has died down and awards are now focusing on more conventional cars that the majority of European buyers are interested in.
European award controversy
We really wouldn't be doing our jobs right if we didn't mention the controversy surrounding the ADAC Gelber Engel or Golden Angel. The ADAC, short for Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil-Club, is not only the biggest automotive club in Germany, but also the whole of Europe with 19 million members.In 2014, Michael Ramstetter, the ADAC’s former communications chief executive, admitted that the results were faked, as VW actually received 3,400 votes but was announced to have ten times as many, 34,000 votes.
We are in no way saying that the 2015 Passat is not a class-leading machine, but that should detract from the fact that the Mazda6, Mondeo or Insignia are also pretty good.
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