Incorporating styling from the Jetta and Arteon, the Passat is altogether different from the model sold in Europe as previously indicated, with the newcomer, in spite of its new attire, continuing to ride on the outgoing model’s PL46 architecture as opposed to the MQB underpinned versions sold in China and on the Old Continent.
Available with a choice of either 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels, the interior has also been redesigned with a layout similar to the Golf and Arteon, the highlight being a single piece of glass covering the Composition Media infotainment display that comes as standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink and App Connect, though the bigger Discover Media system also adds satellite navigation.
Benefitting from a new dashboard, upgraded materials and colour choices, the Passat’s equipment sheet has been given a refresh with items, depending on the four trim levels offered, consisting of heated front and rear seats trimmed in V-Tex leatherette, cloth or Nappa leather, dual-zone climate control, heated and folding electric mirrors with memory function, Adaptive Front headlights with cornering function, electric driver’s car, keyless entry/go, automatic opening bootlid, push-button start and a premium Fender sound system.
On the safety front, and again model dependent, the Passat boasts Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Emergency Braking incorporating Pedestrian Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Park Assist, Automatic Post Collision Braking and Lane Keeping Assist.
Previously offered with two engines, Volkswagen has opted to retire the long serving 3.6 VR6 motor, leaving the 2.0 TSI as the sole method of motivation albeit tweaked to now deliver 130kW/280Nm. With the discontinuing of the bent-six, the Passat no longer has the option of all-wheel drive, meaning drive is now solely routed to the front wheels via a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox and not a DSG as initially speculated.
Set to arrive in the US summer, the Passat will once again be build alongside the Jetta and Atlas at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Plant in Tennessee, but because of it being a US specific model, it will not be offered for sale in South Africa as the local market is expected to receive the updated MQB Passat currently undergoing testing and reportedly due to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
