Paris show: Sharp lines and more muscle for VW Passat

VOLKSWAGEN has released a teaser image of its upcoming eighth-generation Passat along with details of its new in-car technology on its official German website.

The image, which shows the Passat covered by what looks to be a thin sheet comes two weeks after Volkswagen released design sketches of the car.

In this latest image, although the car is shrouded, significant design developments to the Passat’s body can clearly be made out .

New LED daytime running lights can be seen through the sheet, making a crisp border under the headlights which are integrated into the grille.

The grille appears to continue the three-bladed design of the current-gen Passat but as the design sketches and the teaser suggest, it is now deeper.

The oversized wheel guards of the car in the design sketches look to have made it to the production version, making for a more muscular looking Passat.

More defined character lines are also clear in this image suggesting it will carry a sharper and more angular design. This is highlighted by the prominent ridges running down the bonnet from the base of A-pillars to the grille and the crisp-edged shoulder line.

While the sketches hinted at a heavily raked windscreen, the car beneath the sheet does not appear to be quite as extreme.

Together with the teaser image, Volkswagen announced details of the next-generation Passat’s new in-car technology.

It will feature Volkswagen's Active Information Display – a fully digital instrument cluster which interacts with the driver using a 13.3-inch screen.

After selecting a function – navigation for instance – the speedometer and tachometer will move to the side and allow the map to take centre stage. A head-up display will also feature, allowing the driver to view the speed limit, current speed, navigation and braking warnings.

The new Passat will have Volkswagen’s latest infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch screen and faster processors for quicker route calculation in navigation, and smoother touchscreen interaction.

Volkswagen Group Australia general manager of communications Karl Gehling confirmed to Go Auto that the eighth-generation Passat will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and go on sale Australia in 2015.

Sales of the current-gen Passat are down by 34 per cent in the first five months of this year, with 963 units sold compared with 1458 during the same period last year.

The Passat trails mid-size under $60,000 sales leaders including the Toyota Camry on 7740 sales, the Mazda6 (2626), Ford Mondeo (1388) and Hyundai i40 (1175).