VW
Passat US-Version
Volkswagen
of America, Inc. announced the debut of the new 2016 Volkswagen Passat, a
midsize sedan that is designed for the American lifestyle and built in
Volkswagen's state-of-the-art factory in Chattanooga, Tenn. The 2016 Passat features
a winning combination of design, interior and cargo space, class-leading
technology, available driver assistance systems, and powerful, yet frugal,
engines. In addition, a revised trim structure will enhance the Passat's value
story.
The
2016 Passat features more aggressive styling than its predecessor, with a new
hood, front fenders, grille, front and rear bumpers, trunklid and available LED
headlights and taillights. In short, the only sheetmetal that remains unchanged
is the roof, the doors, and the body side stamping.
Slimmer
headlights, a more substantial four-bar grille, and the muscular, domed hood
all work together to give the Passat a wider, more planted stance from the
front. At the back, the new car has a premium European-style flush rear license
plate area. Additionally, a new chrome strip on the trunk makes the rear lights
appear lower, enhancing the grounded appearance, while chrome on the window
surrounds, bumpers, and door trim adds to the premium nature of the design.
Available on all trim lines, dramatic LED headlights and taillights provide
better lighting performance with reduced energy consumption.
For
the first time, Volkswagen is offering an R-Line version of the Passat. This
sporty model features unique rocker panels, a stylized front bumper with
contrasting black accents, a modified rear diffuser, and 19" anthracite
Salvador aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 235/40 ZR rated tires.
Inside,
the 2016 Passat gets an extensively upgraded interior, for a more sophisticated
look and feel. A new instrument panel features two large gauges and the center
stack incorporates VW's latest MIB II infotainment system. The interior also
features upgraded materials, a new steering wheel and column stalk design,
two-tone décor panels, and refined chrome and piano black trim. Heatable rear
seats are a new available feature, along with Easy-Open keyless access that
opens the trunk via moving a foot near the rear of the vehicle.
The
2016 Passat features Volkswagen's second-generation "modular infotainment
platform", also known as MIB II. The system features touchscreens as
standard equipment on all models. On most models, the display utilizes a
capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) enabling
gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming rather than the resistive
touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times.
Most MIB II units also feature a proximity sensor, which detects when a hand is
nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of
specific features. USB and Bluetooth connectivity are standard on all 2016
Passat models.
Volkswagen
also offers a combination of new safety and driver assistance systems in the
2016 Passat. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, standard on all 2016
Passat models, builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single,
instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial
impact—which can cause additional collisions. The system helps address this by
applying the brakes after a primary collision is detected by the airbag
sensors, thus helping to reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, reduce
the chance of additional damage.
Depending
on trim level, Passat models come equipped with the following advanced driver
assistance systems: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Forward Collision Warning
and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear
Traffic Alert; Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which actively steers the
car back into its lane; and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). All 2016
Passat models have rearview cameras as standard equipment.
The
2016 Passat is available in the United States with three powertrains: the
1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI four cylinder; 2.0-liter TDI;
and the 3.6-liter VR6 engine, which makes 280 horsepower—one of the highest
outputs in the midsize sedan class. The 2016 Passat 1.8T has an EPA estimated
highway fuel economy rating of 38 mpg with the automatic transmission.
Full
pricing for the new 2016 Passat will be available closer to launch later this
year, but the 1.8T S model starts at US$ 22,440, which is the same price as the
previous base model when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The
Passat is produced at the Volkswagen Chattanooga assembly plant, the only
automotive manufacturing facility in the world to receive Platinum
certification by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy &
Environmental Design (LEED) program.