Volkswagen releases sketches of 2015 Passat

Volkswagen has officially released the first batch of sketches of the 2015 Passat. The sketches hint at a profound change in the design of the car and though it is still easily identifiable as a Volkswagen, the new Passat will lose its conservative styling to sport a more coupe-like body structure. Internally called B8, the eight-generation sedan will share much of its technology with the Golf, including the flexible MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) architecture.

The sketches show that the new Passat will have a low-slung, aerodynamic body with a heavily raked windscreen, which seems to be influenced by the Volkswagen CC four door coupe, which was unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. Though, it is obvious that all these exciting design cues might not make it to the production model in view of practicality. 

 

The front end of the Passat with its narrow grille flanked on both side with headlamps seems to resemble the T-Roc concept. The lower bumper gets a single slat with fog lamps at both ends. The rear of the car sports sleek tail lamps and the dual exhausts have been integrated into the bumper. 

Globally, the Passat is rumoured to get a new four-cylinder twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre TDI engine that develops 238bhp and 500 Nm of torque. This engine will be mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission and an all-wheel drive system. Besides this, the car is also expected to be offered in plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions. For India, we expect the car to retain its engine line-up. 

 

The Passat was Volkswagen’s first built-in-India model, though the sales of the car never really took off due to the high price tag and the abundant competition. With a Rs 22 lakh to 27 lakh price range, the Passat goes up against a wide range of cars right from the segment leader- the Skoda Superb to SUVs like the Audi Q3. Volkswagen will have to adopt a better marketing strategy and revise the pricing of the Passat, in order to improve its sales figures. 

The 2015 Passat is expected to make its global debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, in October. The car will be launched in India a few months after its international launch.