2015 Volkswagen Passat to break cover on July 3

Within a week of releasing the first batch of sketches of the 2015 Passat, Volkswagen has announced that the sedan will be globally unveiled on July 3. The eight-generation sedan will make its maiden appearance in an online event ahead of its public debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, in October.

Previous spy shots and sketches released by Volkswagen show that the new Passat, internally called B8, will lose its conservative styling to sport a more coupe-like bodyline. It will sport a low-slung, aerodynamic body and a raked windscreen. The front fascia resembles the Golf and the T-Roc concept with its narrow grille and the slats which pass into the headlamps. The rear of the car sports sleek tail lamps and dual exhausts, which have been integrated into the bumper. Despite the cosmetic updates, the car still retains the German manufacturer’s design language and is still easily recognisable as a Volkswagen. 

Volkswagen has also released some technical details of the 2015 Passat. The company claims that the new Passat will shed 85kg in weight owing to the extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminum in several areas of the vehicle, making it 20 per cent more efficient than its predecessor. It will also get a new engine in its line-up, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel unit which churns out 237bhp and 500 Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to a seven-speed gearbox which will send power to all four wheels through the 4MOTION system. A plug-in hybrid with 50km range on pure electric and a 966km combined cycle range is also being considered. 

The new Passat will be offered with the option of LED headlamps as well as an automatically adjustable beam. Despite being smaller than the previous car, the new Passat will offer more space inside. It will be equipped with the latest technology, driver assist systems, safety features and a 12.3-inch fully configurable display from the Audi TT. 

The 2015 Volkswagen Passat will go on sale in India, a few months after its European launch. In the Rs 22 lakh to 27 lakh price bracket, it goes up against a wide range of cars right from the segment leader- the Skoda Superb to SUVs like the Audi Q3. Despite the new Passat being a better car than the previous one, Volkswagen will have to work on a better marketing strategy and revise the pricing of the Passat, in order to improve its poor sales figures.