2014 Paris: Volkswagen Passat

The big day is therefore arrived for the Passat which entered its eighth generation. It well intends to reinforce its actual positions, without having to specific impulses toward the top of the range.

Almost ten years since the previous Passat was on the market (with a big revision in 2010). So it’s time for to go to renewal. It took the opportunity to radically revise its proportions. More than the evolution of its design, it is probably this aspect that comes most to change its personality. As long (-2mm) with 4767 mm, it lengthens the wheelbase by 79 mm. Width 12 mm (1832) and the height drops by 14 mm (1456). Wider and lower, a recipe that gives it a more sedate pace.

Conservation of length confirms that the Passat does not try to go looking for the high end. This is confirmed by the official discourse, which insists on its side, so assumed, “company car” in Europe. The new ratio would otherwise permit it to reinforce the fundamentals of roominess image and trunk space. The living length increased, as did the chest that displays 586 liters for the hatchback, and 650 on the break. It offers exactly the same length.

The design evolves the easy way, maintaining a strong relationship bond with the previous generation, in the design of glass surfaces or the rear for example. Its face is changing the style of the brand with a grille that has more scope in height and width, and extends its expansion and integration of optics. The longer hood and pronounced character line on the side also gives it a slightly more aggressive attitude.

Inside, the Passat launches a new principle of ventilation with air distribution across the width of the dashboard. There are also familiar environments on the center console. Front of the driver, there is the 12.3 inch TFT screen seen in the Audi TT or Lamborghini Huracan, but with specific graphics for Volkswagen. It is supplemented by a head-up display.

However touch screen that will measure 8 inches tall versions features a new generation of infotainment systems. With releases on high internet access, integration of online services (traffic information, parking …), supplementary navigation provided by Google (Street View, Earth …), the functionality of WiFi hot-spot. For rear passengers, Volkswagen starts earlier tablets. Therefore not integrated displays, but will be available to support the shelves (with battery) and allow an application to access content embedded in the car.

For its engines, the Passat is in turn a cross on the V6, and reduces the space allocated to the engine compartment. A choice already made before it, for example by the Hyundai Sonata, the Peugeot 508 and the Ford Fusion. The range has announced to start five petrol engines: 1.4-liter TSI: 92 kilowatts/122 hp, 1.4-liter TSI ACT (cylinder deactivation – CO2 115 g/km) of 110 kW/150 hp, 1.8l TSI: 132 kilowatts/180 hp, 2.0-liter TSI: 162 kilowatts/220 hp and 2.0-liter TSI: 206 kilowatts/280 hp.

In diesel Volkswagen announces currently that version of its 2.0-liter TDI: 110 kW/150 hp (CO2 108g/km) and 140 kW/190 hp and high-end, the new 2.0l TDI biturbo: 176 kW/240 hp and 500 Nm. A version announced with fuel consumption in the combined cycle 5.0l/100km. Subsequently, a 1.6-liter TDI: 88 kW/120 hp will arrive in entry-level version as well as 4WD.

A plug-in hybrid version is also planned. There are mechanics appeared in the Golf GTE and A3 Etron, which is found on many models based on MQB. The gasoline engine is the 1.4-liter TSI: 115 kW/156 hp combined with an electric motor of 80 kW/109 hp integrated into the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery has a capacity of 9.9 kWh will announce all-electric range of 50 km.

We will not be able to miss the driving aids now become an industry standard. The Passat shows the various elements of course already known for the brand and offered on the Golf: blind spot monitoring, maintenance in the queue, adaptive cruise control, collision warning with emergency brake … But it goes a little further: the Collision Warning detects pedestrians in the city, the controller combined speed to remain in the queue allows us to offer a driving assist in traffic. It also adds some new features: snooping in reverse (from the American market), the 360° view in 3D and not flat.

The assistant maneuver trailer partly automates this particular exercise. The reversing camera is used to display on the screen of the instrumentation trailer, overlaid with the current angle to the car. Steering, braking and accelerator are operated by the car, the driver at adjusting as desired angle via the control for adjusting the mirror…

Finally, Volkswagen Passat features a emergency stop system. IF the driver no longer control the vehicle (if you feel unwell, for example), it goes through its various systems gradually stop the vehicle (with ignition of the hazard lights).