Next-generation Volkswagen Passat sighted on test

VW-Passat-002

Here’s a first view of both the sedan and wagon variants of the next-generation B8 Passat on test. The car seems to have taken on some styling cues from the Volkswagen CC – the silhouette seems sleeker now.

There’s a lot of camo on but we can see some of the design of the LED-powered taillamps through the disguise. The car also has big headlamps and what looks like a prominent grille in front.

The current Volkswagen Passat B7 has been around since 2010, and after a five-year cycle it should be due for replacement by 2015. The next-generation car will use Volkswagen’s new MQB platform that currently underpins the Volkswagen Golf Mk7.

Since the new Passat appears to look a lot sleeker now, will there still be a CC version, then?

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • sam69 on Nov 19, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    nobody cares…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 16
    • Tow Truck Party on Nov 19, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      I just heared a big yamseng and cheers in a restaurant. So loud. So I peep in I saw the Tow Truck Association of Malaysia celebrating the launch of the B8 launch. All of them look so happy. One of the tow truck drivers told me he look forward to buying his new bungalow in Damansara Heights with the launch of the B8!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 28
  • as ugly as ever, as wannabe as ever

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 10
  • i’m hoping this B8 will look much better than the current B7

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • Bob_B78 on Nov 19, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    As a VW owner myself, given the chance I am not somehow tempted to buy Passat over Japanse/Korean cars at the current price range. Given that Passat has continental handling, cheaper road tax, probably better FC and VW european badging, I believe Japanese/Korean offer better value for money in the RM170 ~ 190K range.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 11
    • kadajawi on Nov 19, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      The Koreans offering better value for money, ok, but the Japanese?! 2 airbags? Yeah, the Japanese add useless gimicks you can get at any shop for a few RM. But features that really matter (as in they can save your life) and are expensive… missing.

      The Passat design isn’t outdated, it is timeless. The Passat is often used as a company car, and has to look business. Or it is being driven by business men. It must not look flashy. Same thing with the Camry and Accord. They don’t look like sport cars, or like some modern art sculpture that has melted. Basically a formal business suit rather than the latest fashion in neon colors and weird cuts. Those look cool today, but do those guys from Miami Vice look cool today?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
  • One thing for sure, Passat B8 will drop its 7-speed DSG and fix in 6 speed torque convertor gearbox…
    It is quite sad to miss the Double Clutch System (it is fun to have) but it is wiser for VW to drop it, VW just can’t handle it well.
    Ford is doing much better with its PowerShift DCS..
    In short, it is soon left only Ford running with DCS..with the price range below 200k..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Sam68 on Nov 19, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    I’m an owner of B7, I’m happy with my B7. Although it’s design outlook is quite outdated but the performance is highly recommendable. I’m not sure what is the problem with DSG but I’m satisfied with mine currently. However, my current mileage is 40K, one year old PASSAT

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 2
  • Das Auto on Nov 19, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    isn’t continental car has a 7 yrs life cycle, Passat included? I am not even aware of facelift version of Passat, let alone this all new.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • heybadigol on Nov 19, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    Looks WAY better than the current Passat. Very sleek, low slung, like a baby Phaeton.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • abcde on Nov 20, 2013 at 8:29 am

      how on earth you can say it is very sleek..
      the cues is still being taped. what u see probably isnt the truth

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • intel CORE inside on Nov 20, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Had a Passat for a company car and it is by far the worse one. After one year the gearbox gives problems. It handles like a boat. Straight line acceleration is good but stability is out. Wobbles even when passing lorries during speed on highways. For a continental car, it is way below my expectations. Even cheaper Japanese, Korean marques trump it over its handling. One more big issue, it rattles and squeaks after 6 months. Drove many other brands new and old cars with no such issues. When comparing with many other Passat owners, they share the same complaints. VW is overrated and overpriced in Malaysia. In Europe its more or less similar pricing to Ford and the Japanese marques. Only in Asia VW is priced premium.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • the car on Nov 20, 2013 at 6:36 pm

      i cannot comment on the reliability issue. it may be true.
      but as far as Passat is concern, there is no premium in pricing. its CKD pricing undercut Toyota camry, Mazda and Honda Accord. And if you are saying all those Japanese marque is 2.4/2.5L and Passat is 1.8L, then it is a very amateurish comparison.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • intel CORE inside on Nov 20, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    Camry, Accord, Mazda 6 are much bigger and much more comfortable D segment cars. Passat in my personal opinion is comparable to Civic 2.0, Altis, C segment cars. It’s a thin line coz Passat size is in-between the C segment and D segment but its pricing is in the D segment category swaying most to compare it with the D segment cars

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
    • the car on Nov 21, 2013 at 12:29 am

      Yes and no.
      dimension wise yes, Passat is about 60mm shorter than camry but it is ~250mm longer than typical C-segment.

      BUT, accord aside (cant remember about Mazda 6), I don’t feel camry is any bigger at the rear. and camry has smaller boot space than Passat.

      that’s why I said yes and no. numerical wise, yes, Passat smack in between C and D-segment (closer to D though), but impression wise, I don’t think it is any smaller to some D-segment.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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