VW Teases the New Passat Ahead of an Official Unveiling Early Next Month

The 8th Generation VW Passat

Volkswagen has released a new online teaser image of the forthcoming 2015 Passat, featuring the eighth-generation saloon concealed beneath a figure-hugging drape. A full-reveal is set for early next month ahead of an official public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, but for now we’ll have to settle for this small glimpse of the outline and slim, full LED headlight clusters. The front grille is revised, including a more smoothly integrated grille that flows into the headlights to form a single line.

Sculpted wheel arches are visible, too, and appear noticeably further bold than on the outgoing model. That’s down to the stretched MQB platform the new Passat sits on, which allows for a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, meaning the overall length is actually 2mm shorter than its predecessor.  It also sees the Passat shed 85kg from its kerbweight, improving economy and reducing CO2 emissions.

Under the hood the engine range is revised, including a new 237bhp 2.0 TDI BiTurbo engine with 500Nm of torque and a plug-in hybrid option combining 1.4 TSI engine and electric motor for a combined 208bhp and 400Nm.

Tech upgrades include VW’s latest MIB II infotainment system, a fully-configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, progressive steering set-up, and a suite of driver assistance systems – all of which should help the Passat challenge rivals like the next generation Ford Mondeo.

Both saloon and estate variants will be available to order in the UK shortly after October’s Paris Motor Show, before arriving in showrooms early next year priced from around £21,000. A four-door coupe CC version and a stylish shooting brake CC are expected to follow later in the Passat’s life-cycle.