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2012 Volkswagen Passat: New Mid-size Sedan, same name (video)

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Mathieu St-Pierre
Other than affordability and value, the emphasis is on comfort. The new Passat promises one of, if not the roomiest, rear seats with legroom to spare.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com

Of the many niceties that will be offered with the new Passat, depending on trim, expect automatic climate control, insulating glass, outside temperature display, Bluetooth connectivity, power seat adjustment, leather, a touch-screen navigation system, front fog lights with static cornering lights and keyless access with push-button start.

The new mid-size sedan will also cater to audiophiles, thanks to its new Fender audio system, designed exclusively for Volkswagen.

The gang from Wolfsburg seems intent on attacking the American market. They briefly admitted that they somewhat stepped away a few years ago but now, they are back with a vengeance. The Chattanooga plant is part of Volkswagen's $4-billion investment in the US and they plan to make it work.

At full capacity, three assembly lines will be able to run simultaneously. For the moment, at least one will build the Passat, perhaps two depending on the demand. As for the third, nothing has been specified, although I would love to see a Passat Wagon coming off the end of the line at some point. More likely though, it will be reserved for something that sells...

Volkswagen hopes to sell 800,000 vehicles in the US alone by 2018 and the new Jetta and Passat, both core products, will be instrumental. So far, their "better engineering for all" thinking seems to be working.

The Passat arrives in August of 2011 as a 2012 model-year car in the US. Expect the dates to be very similar in Canada.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com


Mathieu St-Pierre
Mathieu St-Pierre
Automotive expert