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Yet again, the B8 Volkswagen Passat has been spotted in Malaysia. Reader Saufi Che Wan sent us photos of the Euro D-segment sedan parked at the East Coast Mall in Kuantan, including one of the interior. The Hicom sticker confirms that the car was locally-assembled (CKD) at the DRB-Hicom plant in Pekan, Pahang.

This is the first time we’ve seen the front of the Malaysian-spec car, and the full-LED headlights are clear to see here. Also visible is a forward-facing camera at the top of the windscreen, which could indicate the presence of an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) feature.

At the rear, the Passat sports LED tail lights (albeit not the cool smoked items seen on the high-spec diesel model that served as a preview at the Das Event show in 2014), as well as twin integrated exhaust exits.

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The latter is an identifier of the top-spec 380 TSI variant – the torque-derived badging is unique to Asian markets – which also gets 18-inch ‘Dartford’ alloy wheels not seen here. There is also a lower-spec 330 TSI variant which gets regular exhaust pipes on one side and smaller 17-inch ‘Istanbul’ alloys.

Inside, this 380 TSI hasn’t been fully specced out – there’s no 12.3-inch virtual instrument display, and the infotainment system is the mid-level Composition Media System with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. What we can see is the wood trim, leather seats, push-button start, Climatronic dual-zone auto air-conditioning and what look like buttons for an auto engine start-stop system and the rear sunblind.

It appears that two engines will be offered – the 330 TSI gets a 1.8 litre TSI turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine producing 180 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

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The 380 TSI receives a larger 2.0 litre TSI mill that kicks out 220 PS and 350 Nm. Both engines are mated to DSG dual-clutch transmissions – seven speed on the 330 TSI, six speed on the 380 TSI.

The Passat is built on the MQB platform, and despite being smaller overall than the outgoing B7, the wheelbase has been stretched some 79 mm to 2,791 mm, providing more leg- and headroom. In addition, the boot has grown by 21 litres to 586 litres, while weight has been cut by up to 85 kg thanks to a lightweight construction and lighter engines. So, what do you think of the new B8 Volkswagen Passat?

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