Launches in India next year.
The 2015 VW Passat which was showcased at the Paris Motor Show 2014 earlier this year has been previewed at the Volkswagen Das Event in Malaysia.
The sedan on display was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI diesel engine which is capable of 240 PS (bhp) and 500 Nm of torque. The power is sent to all four wheels via an automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive system.
Based on the MQB modular platform, the Passat B8 is up to 85 kg lighter than its predecessor. The new sedan is also lower and wider than the outgoing model to have a planted stance.
The interior is nothing like the old car's but is typical of a VW. The higher variants sport a flat bottomed steering wheel. The rectangular AC vents are seamlessly merged into the color coordinated dashboard inserts to create a visual illusion.
Also read: VW to adopt torque-based engine naming system for Asian markets
The Honda Accord rival is expected to be launched in Malaysia sometime towards the end of next year. The entry-level D-Segment sedans in India have been outwitted by the SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe. Nevertheless, VW India is expected to replace the slow selling current gen Passat with the new model sometime next year.
Competitors in Malaysia: Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Peugeot 508
Expected Price: INR 20-25 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: 2015
[Images from Paultan]
