Paris show: Volkswagen to sex-up Passat?

VOLKSWAGEN'S Passat mid-sized staple looks set to get a sexy new design if sketches of the next-generation German sedan are anything to go by.

The images seen here reveal a sleek new look that is not dissimilar in design to the CC four-door coupe while carrying a number of styling elements from some of Volkswagen's recent concepts.

Volkswagen will reveal the production version at the Paris motor show in early October, pointing to a local release early to mid 2015.

At the front end, the sketches show a narrow, integrated grille and headlight combination with a wide air intake that is reminiscent of the current Passat that went on sale in Australia in April 2011.

A raked windscreen, sloping rear roof-line and bulging wheel arches housing large seven-spoke wheels give the Passat a coupe-like shape, while the sketch highlights a sleeker tail-light design and more rounded rear end.

German publication Autobild is reporting that the new Passat will feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a new infotainment system with smartphone and tablet connectivity.

Volkswagen has previewed its future design direction via a series of recent concepts, including the funky T-Roc sub-compact crossover that debuted at this year's Geneva motor show and the NMC sedan concept from the Beijing show earlier this year.

Both concepts previewed sharp new designs while featuring styling elements that maintain a connection to the company's more recent designs, making it immediately identifiable as a Volkswagen.

Passat sales in Australia have taken a bit of a tumble this year, with 734 sales to the end of April which marks a 23.8 per cent decline over the same period last year.

Local sales reached their peak for the current generation Passat's full year on sale in 2012 when VW shifted 4362 units before they started to slide last year, ending on 3280 sales for the 12 months to the end of December.