2015 VW Passat revealed

New Volkswagen Passat heads upmarket with sharp styling and new technology.

Volkswagen has released the first images of the new eighth-generation Passat, ahead of the mid-sized model’s public debut at the Paris motor show in September. 

With styling that adheres to Volkswagen’s recent preference for evolution rather than revolution, the new B8 model features a lower and wider stance,  with a  bold character line that runs the length of the car. 

Reduced overhangs and a shorter bootlid contribute to a more coupe-like profile, helping to distance the new model from its more restrained predecessor. 

This classy design continues inside, with attention paid to material quality and a new dashboard with hidden ventilation ducts. A 12.3-inch LCD display will also be available in place of traditional analogue dials for the instrument cluster.

The new Passat will launch in both sedan and wagon bodystyles, with both offering larger interior dimensions despite the sedan being 2mm shorter, 12mm wider and 14mm lower than before.

The wheelbase has also gained 79mm and the front and rear tracks have been widened. The sedan’s boot has grown by 21-litres to an enormous 586-litres, while the wagon’s cargo area has swollen by 47-litres to 650-litres – or a whopping 1780-litres with the rear seats folded.

As with the current Golf, the new Passat employs the VW Group’s flexible and lightweight MQB architecture. The resultant use of high strength steel, hot-formed steel and aluminium in the body structure has helped to save up to 85kg over the current B7 model.

In overseas markets the new Passat will be offered with up to ten different diesel or petrol four-cylinder engines, all featuring direct injection and turbocharging. Power varies from 89 to 209kW, and some models also feature Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system over the standard front-drive setup. 

The new model is available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with stop/start and brake energy recuperation technologies. A hybrid model that can run in full electric mode for up to 50 kilometres is also available, but is unlikely to reach our shores.  

Among the long list of options are LED headlights, heads-up display, 360-degree multi-camera system, automated parking functions and adaptive cruise control with slow-speed capability. 

Also available will be a world-first Trailer Assist program, intended to help with the age-old trailer reversing dilemma by enabling the driver to control the approach angle of a trailer via the wing-mirror adjustment joystick. 

Australian specifications and pricing are yet to be confirmed, but the new B8 Passat is expected to arrive in local showrooms in 2015.