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2012 Volkswagen Passat AlltrackVolkswagen will be coming to the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show (December 3rd-11th) with a very interesting version of their successful Passat. The new model is called the Passat Alltrack and is supposed to close the gap between the conventional Passat Estate and SUVs such as the Tiguan. Sales of the new model will begin in early 2012. But what makes this new Alltrack version different from the Estate version? Well, it comes equipped with new bumpers in an SUV style – with wheel well and side sill flares. The car also offers a greater off-road ramp angle, approach angle, departure angle, and higher ground clearance. The engine line-up will include two turbocharged direct injection petrol engines (TSI) and two turbodiesels. The petrol engines will deliver up to 210 HP and the most powerful ones will be equipped with standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a dual clutch transmission (DSG). In the diesel version, this option will offer a low combined fuel consumption of 41 mpg in the 140 HP version and 40 mpg in the 170 HP version. UPDATE 02/21/12: Volkswagen has officially released a comprehensive photo gallery of the Passat Alltrack. On top of the photos, the gallery also has a visual instructional guide detailing and describing all the cool features in the vehicle. Check it out! 2013 Volkswagen Passat CCVolkswagen first unveiled the Passat CC (known simply as the CC in the USA and South Africa) in 2008 and since then, the company has managed to sell an impressive 270,000 units. Now, for the 2013 model year (2012 in Europe), the CC has received a technically and visually updated version to make it look and perform even better. Changes for the 2013 model year include a new front and rear styling, and an extended range of standard equipment, including standard Bi-Xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System and LED taillights. On the US market, the CC will be offered with a choice of 197 HP and 276 HP engines and with a manual six-speed gearbox. In Europe, the engine line-up will also include diesel versions. The Volkswagen CC’s official debut will be made in November at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and sales will begin in the Spring of 2012. Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Volkswagen CC. UPDATE 01/17/2012: Fresh off of its unveiling at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show last November 2011, the Volkswagen Passat CC has fresh new photos and videos that VW just released. Check out the pics in the gallery and the videos by clicking on the photo above! UPDATE 02/28/2012: Volkswagen has announced prices for the 2013 CC that will go on sale at US dealers this spring. Prices will range from $30,250 for the base 2.0T Sport to $41,420 for the VR6 4Motion Executive version. Full story Volkswagen to unveil two new models in LA  The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show will begin in about a month and we already have the first details on the models scheduled to be displayed. The first details come from Volkswagen who confirmed they will be coming with two new production vehicles — not concepts. Both will be global debuts, meaning they have not appeared at any other motor show. Volkswagen hasn’t offered any other details on these two new models, but we are pretty sure that one of them will be the Convertible version of the new generation Beetle. The second production car can be one of two possibilities: the next generation Golf - very unlikely - or the facelift version of the Passat CC. Our bets on the Passat CC. Whichever direction Volkswagen has chosen to go, we should have more details at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show during the media preview on November 16th and 17th. Super Bowl Ad: The power of "The Force" on a Volkswagen PassatThat’s a Star Wars reference in case you haven’t noticed. For a lot of people who don’t follow football, the Superbowl is as much about the commercials as it is about the game itself. So you can imagine the lengths - and costs - companies go to so that they’re visibly present in the single most anticipated sporting event in the US. This year, Volkswagen is making sure that the American consumer will be introduced to the all-new Passat during the Big Game. And yes, even if it means using Star Wars’ "The Force" to get your attention. In this ad, Li’l Darth Vader is trying to hone his skills in using the Force, albeit to no avail. He tries it on their dog, his sister’s doll, and even the washing machine. It wasn’t until his dad goes home with the new Volkswagen Passat where all his concentrations pay off...except that, unknowingly, he received a little help from pops himself. Very cute commercial, Volkswagen. You certainly got our attention with this ad. Nice touch on the Star Wars reference too. 2012 Volkswagen Passat
The European market has proven to be a moneymaking investment for the Volkswagen Passat, but in the U.S., the sedan has not seen impressive sales numbers. This could very well be the reason Volkswagen has unveiled the 2012 Passat at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show just after revealing their 2011MY sedan just a few months ago at the Paris Auto Show. Known as the NMS until just recently, the 2012 Passat will go on sale in mid-August, and is rumored to be priced under $20K. US customers will get to choose from three equipment lines - S, SE, and SEL - and three different engine options. These options consist of two gasoline engines and one diesel, with power ranging from 140 to 280 HP. All of them will be offered with a standard dual clutch transmission (DSG). Volkswagen has announced that, with the new Passat, the diesel engine will be able to deliver an impressive 43 mpg. Hit the jump to read more about the U.S.’s 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Full story Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion sets world record for longest drive on one tank of gas
It may not be the type of record that gets us all out of our seats, but it’s still a record worth mentioning, especially for those that gets their thrills on the exciting world of fuel efficiency. A Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion set the Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by an unmodified production vehicle carrying a single tank of gas. The record, which was set by fellow scribe Gavin Conway of the Sunday Times, covered a distance of 1,526.63 miles while carrying 77.25 liters – about 20.41 gallons – of gas. To verify the authenticity of the record-breaking attempt, Conway, together with his navigator and video crew, was accompanied by a pair of Automobile Association patrolmen for the entire duration of the trip. Speaking of the car’s fuel efficiency, the Passat ran at an average of 45 mph while consuming 74.88 US mpg or 3.4 liters/100km, breaking its previous combined average of 53.46 US mpg or 4.40 liter/100km. Those numbers aren’t exactly the type of figures that gets us all geeked up, but hey, a record is a record. And so, we tip our hats off to Mr. Conway and the Volkswagen Passat Bluemotion for their record-breaking performance. 2011 Volkswagen Passat
The seventh generation Volkswagen Passat, in both sedan and station wagon version, made its world debut at the Paris Auto Show. With a design language inspired by the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe concept, the new Passat will go on sale in early 2011. The new design is defined by a new grille element with prominent horizontal chrome fins, heavily contoured headlight units with LED running lights, a set of distinctive tail lights and a subtle chrome highlights. The interior gets new seats, a revised dashboard with new dials, trim finishes and an analogue clock and subtle chrome inserts. Under the hood Volkswagen will offer both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol line-up includes: a 1.4-liter TSI engine developing 122 HP, a 1.8-liter TSI unit with 160 HP, a 2.0-liter TSI 210 HP engine and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 300 HP. Diesel line-up includes: a 1.6-liter TDI units offered in two versions 105 HP and a 2.0-liter TDI engine offered in two power outputs – 140 HP and 170 HP. Each of this engine will be coupled to a choice of manual or DSG gearboxes. Press release after the jump. Full story 2011 Volkswagen Passat headed to the Paris Motor ShowFor those of you who have been waiting for the facelifted 2011 Volkswagen Passat to be unveiled, you’ll be happy to know that the Paris Motor Show organizers have confirmed the car’s attendance at this year’s event. Even better, Volkswagen is bringing a sedan and an estate version of the Passat, which should bode even better for those who have been pining to see the re-tooled version of the car for a quite some time now. While we haven’t seen the new Passat in all its glory, we’re expecting to see a wholesale of changes on the model, including some modifications to the front and rear end, a new hood grille, and redesigned front and tail lights that should give the facelifted Passat a refreshed aesthetic appeal. In addition to the exterior upgrades, the new Passat model will also undergo an interior metamorphosis that includes a newly installed navigation system. We expect more information from Volkswagen and the new Passat on the days leading up to the Paris Motor Show so until then, sit tight, kids, we’ll send along new developments as soon as they come out.
2015 Volkswagen Passat Cabriolet
Not many people have bought the Volkswagen Eos and it’s easy to see why. Even Volkswagen didn’t like it. For 2011, the Eos will get a little makeover, but even that won’t save it in the long term. For 2015, the Passat Cabriolet will be replacing the Eos. The open top Passat is the only variant of the car that will make it to the United States. VW has decided to drop the sedan from its lineup. In its place will be a revamped CC and this Cabriolet. To close the gap between the CC and the upcoming Phaeton, VW will be revamping them both. The luxury Phaeton will be moving down in the world, while the CC and the Cabriolet will be heading up. The Passat Cabriolet will be taking a few of the toys that are found on its sister, the Audi A5. These include a power-operated soft top with a heated rear window, a pop up roll bar, and optional neck warmers. According to Automobile, the Passat will be a genuine four-seater with room in the back for your kids and space in the trunk for luggage. The current suspension setup will likely make its way into the new Cabriolet, albeit in a slightly modified form. Under the hood will be a turbocharged four-cylinder that will put out 250 horsepower and a 2.0-liter diesel that is rated at 220 horsepower. Both engines will use front-wheel drive. Don’t expect to see the drop-top Passat anytime soon. The sedan won’t be here until 2014, so the Cabriolet might be here around 2015. A Volkswagen CC Wagon on the way?
Only on slow automotive news Mondays would a rumor like this matter. It might also be the fact that it’s summer and the automotive industry has slowed a bit. Either way, Autocar has generated some interesting news. The UK based magazine is reporting that Volkswagen is debating on producing a wagon version of the CC four-door coupe. According to Autocar, an unnamed source within the German company leaked plans for a CC wagon and the board will vote on it later this month. Why build another wagon? Well, Autocar believes that the Passat is on its way out in the United States and the next generation won’t be available in a wagon trim. So, VW is supposedly looking for something to fill the void. Of course, we are skeptical, but one never knows. With no real competition in the segment, VW might have a winner. | Volkswagen Passat latest reviews:Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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