Volkswagen Passat 2016 News

The Lamborghini Aventador was one of the vehicles affected by the latest set of recalls

Another 35,000 vehicles have been added to Volkswagen Australia's diesel emissions recall list.

The inevitable march towards a high-riding automotive future continued in August, as buyers continue to turn away from traditional passenger cars in favour of SUVS and utes.

A new performance Passat is en route to Australia, with VW confirming a Golf R-powered version of its mid-size sedan and wagon will arrive in November.The all-wheel-drive 206TSI R-Line will headline the Passat’s MY17 model updates, landing Down Under with a $57,990 sticker price, or $59,990 for the wagon.The order books are now open for the 206TSI R-Line, powered by the 206kW, 350Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre from the brand’s current performance powerhouse, the Golf R. The 206TSI R-Line is being touted by VW as the spiritual successor to the V6-powered R36 Passat, last sold in Australia in 2010. The performance Passat arrives with VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system as standard, helping propel the sedan to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds, with the wagon nipping at its heels in 5.7 seconds. Both the sedan and wagon will be equipped with VW’s six-speed DSG transmission as standard, along with an adaptive chassis control system with several driving modes.Outside, the 206TSI R-Line will wear the same 19-inch alloys and bodykit as the other R-Line variants, but arrives with dynamic LED headlights and new badging. Inside, you’ll find VW’s Active Info Display, along with leather-trimmed seats, alloy pedals and a flat-bottom wheel winged by paddle shifters. “The R-Line is a genuine performance car – not just a sports kit. It’s both a worthy successor to the R36 and a car to throw a fright into the prestige brands,” said General Manager of Sales for Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles, Ryan Davies.The MY17 updates will also see a number of smaller revisions to the Passat range, including new 17-inch Soho alloys and city AEB offered as standard on the 132TSi, while the driver’s seats in the Comfortline, Highline and Alltrack trim levels will get a memory function.The R-Line style pack will add Active Info Display, and will get different 18-inch Monterey alloys. Volkswagen is yet to confirm pricing on the rest of the updated Passat range. 

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