The next generation VW Passat is currently under development. Apart from various spyshots which show the car testing, VW India revealed in a statement late last year that the "next generation of the Passat is being readied", and that an Indian launch will take place at the "appropriate time".
German magazine Auto Bild presents renderings of the new 2015 Passat, stating that the car will be revealed in October this year at the Paris Motor Show. The new model will ride on VW's MQB platform, and is codenamed 'B8'.
The magazine states that the base models of the new Passat will be powered by four-cylinder TDI and TSI engines seen in the new Golf. With a shot of more power, these engines will offer better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. A plug-in hybrid model, using the Audi A3 e-tron's powertrain, is planned for a launch towards the end of 2015.
In India, VW launched the refreshed B7 Passat back in March 2011. The only competition for the Passat comes from sister brand Skoda's Superb, which was recently refreshed. Rivals such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord either do not offer a diesel option, or in the case of the Honda Accord, are discontinued entirely.
The Passat in India is available (in the 'Bluemotion' guise) with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine outputting 170 PS and 350 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual or DSG transmission.
[Images from Auto Bild]
