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Volkswagen Releases Official Sketch Of New Midsize Sedan

 
11 8,063 views October 28, 2009

Volkswagen New Midsize Sedan official sketch

Volkswagen New Midsize Sedan official sketch

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The current Passat is beginning to show its age, but a replacement won't be on board until 2010

The current Passat is beginning to show its age, but a replacement won't be on board until 2010

Enlarge Photo

Earlier this month while at the official drive event for the new Golf, High Gear Media managed to get an exclusive take on VW's plans for the still unnamed New Midsize Sedan (NMS), and how it will effectively replace the Passat for North America. Today, VW released a second sketch of the NMS that shows the first sketch's design theme carried forward, but reveals little of what we can expect of the production sedan outside of general themes.

The new sketch shows a fairly short hood, a more sedan-like profile than the previous sketch, and the same basic corporate front end that's become familiar with the new Mark VI Golf. The roofline is somewhat reminiscent of the Passat, but not enough to be confused for one. Which is a good thing, considering the Passat is going away with the arrival of the NMS.

The problem, says VW's U.S. president Stephan Jacoby, is that the Passat simply isn't suited to the distances Americans drive or the size of vehicle we prefer. That's why the NMS, a four-door built at the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, will offer a wider cabin and more rear seat legroom. It is also expected to start around $20,000.

The car has been previewed in sketches before (pictured), but a trio of new sketches were previewed in Germany today, revealing that the car will resemble the VW Quantum, meaning a lower rear roofline, tightly integrated front end and angular headlamps like those seen on the Mark VI Golf.

The Phaeton large sedan will also return to the U.S. soon, as we confirmed in Germany earlier this month. The Phaeton has been under consideration for a U.S. return for some time, with Jacoby thinking the market is once again primed, provided the maker learns from its past mistakes.

Read our previous story for more on the return of the Phaeton and what VW plans to do differently this time.





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Comments (11)

  1. By bepsf Posted: 10/7/2009 9:26am PDT

    If the new VWUSA sedan is really going to resemble the boxy B2 Passat/Quantum - VW might as well pack it up right now...
     
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  2. fb_630621307 avatar Michael Descul Posted: 10/7/2009 10:01am PDT

    I know that the current Passat will be at the end of it's life-cycle, but, what about the Passat-based CC 4-door coupe? Will the CC still be produced, and offered in the USDM, it differs enough.
    Also, when can we see the new renderings, that supposedly were just released?
     
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  3. By  John Rees Posted: 10/7/2009 10:17am PDT

    Jacoby and VW should be working on their customer service first. View my VW experience at:
    http://www.reesphotos.com/VW/
     
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  4. Nelson avatar Nelson Ireson Posted: 10/7/2009 10:50am PDT

    Michael, the renderings were shown to the press present at the event, but they prohibited all cameras from entering the room, so I wouldn't expect to see them right away.
     
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  5. By mazen Posted: 10/8/2009 8:29am PDT

    j'aime la voitur mersedes mclaren
     
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  6. richard avatar Richard Read Posted: 10/28/2009 12:16pm PDT

    Is it just me, or are today's beltlines getting a out of hand? I mean, sure, they look great -- I'd rather drive around town peering through these thin slices of glass than, say, the greenhouse of a Gremlin -- but I think the look is getting a little stale.
     
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  7. By  Dan Posted: 10/28/2009 12:30pm PDT

    VW has the worlds worst marketing team. They switch the Golf to rabbit and now decide (correctly) that they should have left it a Golf. The Pheaton failed once and will certainly fail again. But VW will scatch their heads and say we need to try it a third time. The Passat name is a good name with a decent history. Starting over again with a large sedan and new name is crazy. Everyone I know drives an Accord/Camry/Fiesta/Passat size car. Not a Avalon size sedan. Wake up VW.
     
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  8. By bepsf Posted: 10/28/2009 1:01pm PDT

    Honda announces the downsizing of the next Civic and VW decides to build a "German" Impala.
     
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  9. By Agent Posted: 10/28/2009 2:36pm PDT

    This is interesting a "remake" of the phaenton
     
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  10. By Adamk Posted: 10/28/2009 4:36pm PDT

    Another challenge for VW: equipment levels vs pricing. The new GTi has less content here to keep the cost down. The Passat and CC are pricing in the upper trims. Building the NMS here should help, but VWis in trouble if they lose the value equation to Japan and even Korea.
     
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  11. By JC.EURO Posted: 10/29/2009 10:59am PDT

    VW is just looking for feed back on the sketch, in other words, I’m sure it’s just a study people. I doubt the final sketch or production model will come close to looking like this current sketch.
    Moving on, I like the overall the design which focus on a blend of aggressive and calmness (clean lines). Though, the front grill and headlights requires refinement to match the lower valance. The designer seems to tray to make a transition of the lines of the front fascia of lower to top grill but, fail to carry the lower more aggressive character through. Yet, I do like the idea of the lower valance grill which appears that L.E.D. running lights will be fitting in the two small partitions. I wish there was a sketch of the rear view!
    Overall, the “Pheatonistic” look and larger dimensions over the current Passat will be a more accepted car in the U.S.; VW may have something here. I can't wait for the final product.
     
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