Updated Volkswagen Passat breaks cover
BY SPENCER LEECH | 7th Feb 2019
VOLKSWAGEN has revealed its heavily upgraded Passat mid-size sedan and wagon in Europe this week ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show next month and Australian launch late this year that will usher in a fresh look, enhanced equipment and new petrol engine options.
The German brand’s Australian subsidiary has yet to confirm exact specifications, however it has been revealed that the local range will feature the Tiguan SUV’s 162TSI engine in the Alltrack and Highline variants.
The entry-level Passat is also set to be powered by a new-to-Australia 140TSI engine.
Meanwhile, the Passat 206TSI 4Motion wagon will carry over its powertrain and remain the range-topping variant.
It has also been confirmed that the updated Passat will hit Australian showrooms with the third-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) infotainment system which offers Apple CarPlay, online connectivity with a SIM card as standard, improved navigation with real-time information, internet radio and natural voice control.
Pricing is still to be released, however the current range recently copped a $1000 increase to now start from $37,990 plus on-road costs for the base 132TSI sedan, rising to $43,790 for the 132TSI Comfortline and topping out at $62,290 for the 206TSI R-Line wagon.
Wagon variants of the two 132TSI models add $2000, while the Passat Alltrack is a 140TDI-only proposition – with a 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel – priced from $51,290 plus on-road costs or $54,990 for the Wolfsburg edition.
The new 162TSI engine is based on the EA888 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
The current base 132TSI 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine delivers 132kW/250Nm, but the move to the 140TSI will see the baseline Passat switch to a bigger and more powerful 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo.
At the top of the range, the current 206TSI 2.0-litre turbo-four develops 206kW/350Nm.
This is the biggest update for the Passat since the eighth generation was launched in Australia in October 2015.
It picks up revised styling inside and out, with the exterior including redesigned front and rear bumpers, grille, badging and LED headlight signature.
It also features restyled wheel options, ranging from 17- to 19-inch in diameter, and colours like Lapiz Blue, Bottlegreen and Sandgold will be available for the first time.
On the inside, a new digital instrument cluster boasts enhanced graphics and can be controlled via new multi-function steering wheel switchgear.
Volkswagen’s ‘IQ.Drive’ package debuts a number of advanced driver-assistance systems including travel assist, which the company claims allows for partially automated driving across “practically the whole speed range up to 210km/h”.
Other safety technology on-board includes emergency steering assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, pedestrian monitoring, trailer assist and park assist.
As GoAuto has reported, Volkswagen used the Detroit motor show last month to present its updated US-spec Passat, which previewed some of the upgrades in store for Australia with the European version now unveiled.
Australian-spec details are due to be released soon.
The new crop of Passat units will pass the 30 millionth unit milestone after it goes into production, following closely to the Golf small car which recently passed 35 million worldwide sales.
Volkswagen Group Australia sold 1804 Passat sedan and wagons in 2018, down 26.8 per cent compared to 2017. Meanwhile, the high-riding Passat Alltrack made 742 deliveries for a 14.4 per cent drop.
