New reports suggest we may have our first look at the next-generation Volkswagen Passat come September, as the German automaker may launch its revised midsize sedan at the 2010 Paris motor show.
Although the car will be the next generation in the Passat line, don’t expect it to be completely revamped from head to toe. Reports indicate Volkswagen is putting the Passat under the knife in a similar manner to Golf's refresh for 2010 -- the basic architecture of the car will remain untouched, but it will receive substantial styling and powertrain upgrades.
We’d also expect the new Passat to be both agile and frugal, thanks in part to a planned decrease in weight and the use of smaller, efficient engines. Like Hyundai’s new Sonata, VW reportedly has no plans to offer the new Passat with a heavier, thirstier six-cylinder engine. Instead, a slightly upgraded version of VW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine may be the top engine. Reportedly, the turbo-four offers similar acceleration to the current Passat fitted with the 3.2-liter V-6.
Although Volkswagen is starting to introduce hybrid-electric drive systems, the new Passat won’t receive one -- instead, the automaker is possibly waiting until an all-new model launches in 2015 to install an eco-friendly powertrain.
It’s doubtful we’ll see the new Passat in any guise in the U.S., as the “New Midsize Sedan” (NMS), which should launch in early 2011, will replace the car in North American markets.
Source: Motortrend
