Under the hood, a replacement for the VR6 engine will be in place, putting out close to 300hp (224kW) from a displacement of 3.0L. To improve mileage and maintain power, the new engine will also be using direct injection, and most of the next Passat’s model range is expected to use some form of forced induction as well. One of the variants will also be a hybrid model, and there is expected to be a 300hp (224kW) diesel variant with AWD and an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
To give the Passat some much needed panache, VW will be pulling out all the stops to make the next-generation a technological showcase, with features that should have the traditional German manufacturers looking a little worried.
Expected to debut in late 2011 as a 2012 model, the next-generation Passat will feature a host of new technologies, including airless tires, a wiperless window cleaning system and paramagnetic paint that can change color at the owner's will. There will also be an Electronic Stability system with a feature that automatically offers counter-steering assistance in adverse driving conditions.
In 2012 VW will launch the wagon model and this could also be the year that a new high-performance R36 model joins the lineup.
Reader Comments
Wed Jul 16 2008 10:53 AM
Andrey says
it sure does look pretty good and with such a wide range of engines i'm sure VW will be laughin all the way to the bank
Wed Jul 16 2008 11:46 AM
Dane says
how about a Polo???? or the likes....
also.... Get rid of the stupid 'Rabbit' name... What yahoo marketing idiot thought that was cool?????
Wed Jul 16 2008 2:58 PM
james says
those headlights are very cool but i think that this car would be even better with a more radical styling option on the air intake dams. to me, that usually decides the mood of the car (whether it be boring or sporty)
Wed Jul 16 2008 2:59 PM
james says
on second thought, they aren't that bad, i take it back
Wed Jul 16 2008 3:09 PM
S.H. says
IT'S ALREADY ON THE STREETS HERE IN ROMANIA!
Wed Jul 16 2008 7:40 PM
HECTOR says
Is that really the best they can do with the design? Why must the Passat get more boring with each passing generation?
Wed Dec 17 2008 7:38 AM
LandroverCrazy says
Hector said it best :)
Wed Dec 17 2008 11:55 AM
james says
snoresville...
Wed Dec 17 2008 1:12 PM
iluvamericancarz says
they are gettin rid of the rabbit name. i thought vw wanted to make an ultimate midsize sedan that would compete edge to edge with the camry and sonata. they also wanted to replace the passat name
Wed Dec 17 2008 2:44 PM
NoNameDenton says
I want to try the eight speed DSG
Thu Dec 18 2008 3:31 AM
HECTOR says
Also, every time that I hear *this or that VW is being positioned more upmarket to compete with BWM and Audi* I cringe.
Counterproductive: VW already owns Audi. It's sort of like Toyota owning Lexus and trying to compete with it.
Counterintuitive: The Passat competes with the 3 series like I compete with Brad Pitt (not at all)
So instead of making good quality cars that are affordably priced they make expensive crapmobiles in Mexico that break down all the time (My boss has a Passat and I've given him 3 rides to the dealership in one year).
It's a weird marketing ploy but.... whatever...
Thu Dec 25 2008 8:56 AM
iluvamericancarz says
This car is not on sale anywhere. This is just the current car with a different front fascia.
not impressive Motorauthority.
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