THE Volkswagen Passat is a benchmark for so many company cars. And now there’s a new one.
Launched at the Paris Motor Show, VW says it plans Passat Mk7 to keep on setting benchmarks in quality, design, economy and comfort.
The VW Passat Mk7 will be available in both saloon and estate (pictured) bodystyles.
The front of the car is the most notable aspect of Passat Mk7’s design – there’s a new grille element with prominent horizontal chrome fins, heavily contoured headlight units complete with LED running lights and subtle chrome highlights that extend down the side of the car. VW says every body panel, apart from the roof, is new.
The new Passat is slightly longer than the car it replaces by 4mm, measuring 4,769 mm in length (Estate 4,771 mm).
Inside VW says the interior has been smartened up – there’s a revised dashboard for example – along with the intriguing feature of new seats that can be specified to both heat and cool occupants.
Another neat touch is the ability to open the boot by just tapping your foot at the back of the car available on keyless entry models. Sounds odd, but VW says a simple foot motion at the rear of the car is enough to activate sensors that open the boot automatically – a useful function when your hands are full.
The range of engines includes four petrol units and two diesels in three power outputs.
Here are the petrol choices:
- 1.4-litre TSI 122PS
- 1.8-litre TSI 160PS
- 2.0-litre TSI 210PS
- 3.6-litre V6 300PS.
And here are the diesel choices
- 1.6-litre TDI 105PS
- 2.0-litre TDI 140PS
- 2.0-litre TDI 170PS
Volkswagen says the 1.6 TDI Passat will also be available in a low-emission BlueMotion package – which includes aerodynamic modifications, Stop/Start and battery regeneration – with emissions of 109g/km CO2 (allowing it to qualify for 100% first year writing down allowances) and 68.8mpg economy.
Both the saloon and Estate models are due to go on sale in the UK around the middle of October at which time pricing and specification details will be announced, said VW. Expect delivery in early January 2011.
Latest generation Passat unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
