High-tech Volkswagen Passat available next week
The Volkswagen Passat will be available to order from October 7, ahead of first UK deliveries in January.
This new model brings a host of new technologies, comfort and convenience features and efficient engines to the Passat class, while its design, quality and style allow it to compete with premium rivals.
Although the new car has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor and more interior space, it is up to 85 kg lighter, while EU6-compliant, more efficient engines mean fuel savings and carbon dioxide emissions reductions of up to 14 per cent.
Only diesel engines will be offered in the UK at launch, ranging in power from a 1.6-litre 120 PS, through two 2.0-litre units with 150 or 190 PS, to a range-topping 2.0-litre bi-turbo with 240 PS, DSG gearbox and 4MOTION four-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid GTE version with a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and electric motor will follow in October 2015.
At launch, five trim levels will be offered: S, SE, SE Business, GT and R-Line. All will offer a high level of standard features with highlights including Post-Collision Braking System and mis-fuelling prevention on all.
Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Crash system, Driver Profile Selection, Ergo Comfort seats and front and rear parking sensors will feature on SE and above and Discover Navigation on the SE Business which is aimed at fleet drivers.
Luxurious heated Alcantara seats, three-zone climate control and 18-inch wheels are standard on GT, while the range-topping R-Line adds a host of bespoke design features.
A frugal BlueMotion with a 1.6-litre engine returning 78mpg and just 95g/km of CO2 will join the range in June 2015, while an Alltrack version of the Estate is due in July.
There will also be a number of new optional features available, such as Car-Net "Guide and Inform", in-car connection to the internet via Wi-fi hotspot. There is also the option for predictive pedestrian protection, traffic jam assist, emergency assist and trailer Assist.
Later in 2015 innovations such as an Active Info Display, which replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a fully configurable interactive 12.3-inch TFT display, and a head up display will also become available.
This is the eighth generation of Passat, of which nearly 22 million units have been sold since launch in 1973.
by: Rebecca Chaplin