Subtle exterior makeover
Still carrying the B8 internal moniker and forecasted to go on sale in its home market in August, the updates applied externally are more evolutionary in that it receives redesigned front and rear bumpers, a new grille, restyled headlights with full-LEDs, new LED fog lights and daytime running lights, a choice of four alloy wheel designs with sizes ranging from 17 to 19-inches and three new colours; Sandgold, Lapiz Blue and Bottlegreen.
A new experience behind the wheel
More extensive are the changes inside where the Active Info Display digital instrument cluster now measures 11.7-inches and comes with new, higher quality graphics, as well as the ability to be customised from three display options via the equally new multi-function steering wheel.
Also new, the touchscreen infotainment system, dubbed Modular Infotainment Matrix, comes in three sizes; the 6.5-inch Composition Media, the eight-inch Discover Media and the 9.2-inch Discover Pro and aside from featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, now offers cloud-based app services, Wi-Fi connectivity and Volkswagen’s new natural voice control system that allows for the majority of the system’s functions to be control by simply saying, “Hello Volkswagen”.
More autonomy
While no changes have taken place underneath its skin, the Passat’s assortment of safety and driver assistance systems have been thoroughly updated with the inclusion of I.Q Drive that, amongst others, allows for partial autonomous driving up to 210km/h using the Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, Travel Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Steering Assist systems.
Derived from the Touareg, higher spec models are also outfitted with Volkswagen’s I.Q. Light Matrix LEDs that uses a total of 44 diodes that adjusts automatically to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, and comes with so-called dynamic running indicators. Like the Touareg and Arteon, a 12-speaker, 700-watt DynAudio sound system can be had as an option.
Petrol, diesel and hybrid punch
Up front, the Passat will go on sale on the Old Continent with a choice of two TSI engines; the 1.5 TSI Evo that produces 110kW and the familiar 2.0 TSI in two states of tune; 140kW and 200kW. Surprisingly more extensive, the range of TDI motors, all fitted with particle filters like the petrols, starts off with a 1.6 TDI outputting 88kW, followed by the 110kW 2.0 TDI, a 140kW version of the same engine and the 2.0 BiTDi that makes 176kW. Expect transmissions to include a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DSG.
Not immune to the updates, the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE retains its 1.4 TSI engine, but combines it with a bigger 85kW, 13.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a total system output of 160kW, and an overall electric range of 55km based on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) requirements that replaced the old NEDC measurements in Europe on September first last year. A six-speed DSG is the only transmission available.
Equipped with a 3.6kW charger that will charge the battery fully in six hours 15min from a conventional 230-volt socket, or in four hours using a 360-volt outlet, the GTE substitutes the standard Passat’s three mode Dynamic Chassis Control (Normal, Comfort and Sport) system with E-Mode that offers three settings of its own; the pure electric E-Mode, Hybrid and GTE, the latter utilising the full 160kW.
Heading off-road?
In some markets, the Passat will also be offered in Alltrack guise based on the Variant that distinguishes itself by sporting extended wheel arches and side cladding, unique underbody protection, off-road adapted front and rear bumpers, satin silver roof rails and a ground clearance of 172mm.
Only offered with the 200kW 2.0 TSI as well as the 140kW 2.0 TDI or the 176kW 2.0 BiTDI engines, the Alltrack, as its name suggests, is equipped with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system as standard, with the only transmission on offer being the seven-speed DSG.
Availability
In Germany, the Passat will be available in three trim levels; base, Business and Elegance with the latter pair having the option of the sporty R-Line bodykit. At launch, Volkswagen will make available the R-Line Edition powered by the flagship TSI and TDI motors, and further equipped with the 4Motion system and in an exclusive colour called Moonstone Grey. Only 2 000 will be produced.
At present, it remains unknown if Volkswagen South Africa would see it fit to bring the updated Passat to market given its poor monthly sales figures relative to the Arteon and Touareg, but if so, expect the 200kW TSI and the 140kW TDI to arrive in sedan form only.
