Detroit, Michigan--After having teased us for nearly 18 months, Volkswagen has finally laid out some details on the car that will replace the Passat, with us since 1990 in Canada. It will be called... the Passat, thus avoiding the mistake Ford did when they dropped the Taurus name in favour of the Five-Hundred. Remember? Probably not.
The new car is squarely aimed at the very popular and lucrative mid-size segment, hence the teaser name that was N.M.S.
Before I go on, allow me to remind you all that Europe's largest car manufacturer still has every intention on taking over the world. At the moment, it owns but a 3.3% market share (including Audi and Porsche) in the US. They, as most carmakers, regardless of the condition of the US economy, know that if you can make it in America, you will reap rewards.
The first concrete step for the execution of this plan came in the form of the all-new Jetta. Clearly aimed at the masses, its lowered price and content without affecting perceived quality has put it directly in the sights of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and other compact cars. So far, it has worked beautifully.
Historically, VWs have been considered as premium quasi-affordable cars and this often kept the German brand off shoppers' lists. With pricing info still unofficial, VW peeps have promised to make the car affordable, surprisingly so. My guess is that the new Passat will have a sticker starting somewhere in the $22k to 24k range (a tad more than the approx $20k US price), a potential $5,000+ drop from the existing car with little or no sacrifices.
The new Passat intends to carry forth as a premium car but with the exact strategy prepared for the new Jetta.
This one, like the Jetta, has its work cut out for it. Tackling the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu head on, the new Passat will feature lots of goodies including three powertain options: the 2.5L inline-5, the 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel and the powerful 3.6L V6. A 5-speed manual will be standard with the 2.5L. A 6-speed auto will be optional. The other engines will be pared to VW's brilliant 6-speed DSG gearbox. Gone is the much lauded 2.0L TSI mill. At least for now.
The new car is squarely aimed at the very popular and lucrative mid-size segment, hence the teaser name that was N.M.S.
Before I go on, allow me to remind you all that Europe's largest car manufacturer still has every intention on taking over the world. At the moment, it owns but a 3.3% market share (including Audi and Porsche) in the US. They, as most carmakers, regardless of the condition of the US economy, know that if you can make it in America, you will reap rewards.
The first concrete step for the execution of this plan came in the form of the all-new Jetta. Clearly aimed at the masses, its lowered price and content without affecting perceived quality has put it directly in the sights of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and other compact cars. So far, it has worked beautifully.
Historically, VWs have been considered as premium quasi-affordable cars and this often kept the German brand off shoppers' lists. With pricing info still unofficial, VW peeps have promised to make the car affordable, surprisingly so. My guess is that the new Passat will have a sticker starting somewhere in the $22k to 24k range (a tad more than the approx $20k US price), a potential $5,000+ drop from the existing car with little or no sacrifices.
The new Passat intends to carry forth as a premium car but with the exact strategy prepared for the new Jetta.
This one, like the Jetta, has its work cut out for it. Tackling the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu head on, the new Passat will feature lots of goodies including three powertain options: the 2.5L inline-5, the 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel and the powerful 3.6L V6. A 5-speed manual will be standard with the 2.5L. A 6-speed auto will be optional. The other engines will be pared to VW's brilliant 6-speed DSG gearbox. Gone is the much lauded 2.0L TSI mill. At least for now.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |