For those of you not familiar with the various versions of the Volkswagen Passat, no, the fairly new B8 model hasn’t received a facelift just a year on from its unveiling. This is, in fact, the larger, completely separate North American model – built in Chattanooga, Tennessee – which gets a refresh that brings it closer in appearance to its European sibling.
The milquetoast styling of the current car has thankfully been revamped, though it’s still rather conservative. At the front sit reshaped headlights (LED units optional) that flow into the broad four-bar grille – the topmost full-width chrome bar runs across the top of both headlights, just like the B8. The bumper has also been reprofiled to become more squared-off and more aggressive; even the bonnet receives a bit more definition.
Move towards the rear of the car and you’ll find new tail lights (again, LED items are optional) connected by a chrome strip, a “European-style” flush number plate recess, repositioned reflectors as well as a reshaped bumper with full-width chrome trim.
Introduced for the first time on the US-market Passat is the R-Line pack, featuring a sportier front bumper, side skirt and rear diffuser design, as well as 19-inch anthracite “Salvador” alloy wheels shod with 235/40-section tyres.
The interior has also seen a few revisions, including a Mk7 Golf-style flat-bottomed steering wheel, a redesigned twin-barrel instrument cluster, new steering column stalks, two-tone decor panels and chrome and piano black trim. VW also promises improved cabin materials.
Volkswagen’s new range of modular infotainment systems, MIB II, is now available and adds capacitive touchscreens on most models, enabling gesture controls such as swiping and pinch-to-zoom; there’s also a proximity sensor on many variants. USB, Bluetooth and a reverse camera are standard-fit, while VW Car-Net App-Connect, which adds MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is available as an option.
New options include rear-seat heating and Easy Open keyless access, enabling the bootlid to be opened by moving a foot near the rear of the Passat. Safety-wise, Automatic Post-Collision Braking is fitted as standard, while Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Assist and Park Assist can be specified depending on trim level.
The lineup of engines remain unchanged – there’s a 170 hp/250 Nm 1.8 litre TSI turbocharged petrol four-pot, a 150 hp/320 Nm 2.0 litre Clean Diesel TDI and a 280 hp/350 Nm 3.6 litre VR6. Also unchanged are the gearboxes, including a six-speed manual (2.0 TDI), a six-speed automatic (1.8 TSI) and a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission (2.0 TDI, 3.6 VR6).
Full pricing will be announced closer to its market introduction later this year, but the base 1.8 TSI S with the standard automatic transmission starts at US$22,440, the same price as the outgoing automatic-equipped model (the standard five-speed manual of yore appears to have been dropped).
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Volkswagen = Cheater
Already nobody want to buy 2nd hand VW, now it is even worse after this scandal.
VW use computer code to cheat emission test… is still nothing compared to Proton use Malaysian government to cheat Malaysian (a few generations).
The best thing is: We all knew we are cheated (betul2 onz) but still we can’t do anything on the cheater.
I hate fire starter in this country, why dont u show us some prove , rather than talking like empty can.
I don’t give a shit who you hate. Proton quality crap, it is a general universal true FACT.
Which Malaysian isn’t/wasn’t Proton victim you tell me!
Proton is good example. Betul betul karam hailat.
Wow..Cronies will give u loud applaud!
Ok you mean same Vios engine and gearbox after generations right? Ok ok
Honda ivtec engine is also very old engine.
Gearbox now is 5 speeder idiot
OMG…The whole car design looked OLD style…Ugly like hell…puihh..
VW is a joke in murica, even Subaru has better sales. We here laugh at their DSG, they in the US laugh at forever check engine light on mode.
Dieselgate made it worse, and this facelift won’t save them.
VW, VW, that’s what happens when u care about sales volume only, u compromised quality, customer service, reputation. Had it been other way round, they have better chance to increase their volume. Murica not amused.
Dont know what else they are lying….
They also lie about VW status is equal to Mercedes and BMW.
Nice car
Passat….. Its like a passat crawing in your dream. U will have endless possibilities learning on the clutch, gear box and so on.
Looks Bimmer at rear =D
is it me or the rear lamps really got some cerato “flavors”? whatever it is, this could end up to be the worst selling passat ever in the US, thanks to the recent probe….
Good thing Malaysia will be receiving the better looking European Passat!
Nobody wants to buy the Passat anymore in Malaysia. Infact, nobody wants to buy Audi also in Malaysia
We don’t want to buy from a company that lies lies lies lies
VW’s Passat and Audi cars are still top sellers in Malaysia. Especially Audi, which still has a long waiting list. Demand far exceeds supply in Msian market. Audi has also stolen sales away from some other premium marques of late.
the rear lights reminds me of the bmw e90 lci rear lights
Soon to be banned in US cos may not be complying to emission laws
This car is miles behind compare to 2016 Honda Accord.