It’s well into winter season in some parts of the world, and our spy photographers have caught the B8 Volkswagen Passat facelift frolicking in the snow. The revised big sedan has been spotted before, but with the headlights on we’re getting some clearer view of some of the changes.
Those changes, it seems, are relatively minor, with the LED daytime running light strips, which currently sit along the lower edge of the headlights, are now arranged at the top, eyebrow style. Also relocated in a similar fashion are the indicators on the tail lights, which themselves get L-shaped graphics.
Elsewhere, the bumpers appear to be from an R-Line model, as they get a sportier design than in prior spyshots. At the front, there are prominent C-shaped trim pieces that frame the bone-shaped full-width air intake, with another inlet below it. Moving to the rear, the diffuser has been reshaped, and there also appear to be twin fake exhaust outlets, similar to the Golf R-Line.
Set to be launched next year, the facelifted Passat is expected to get a revamped engine lineup, including the latest 150 PS 1.5 litre TSI Evo petrol engine from the Arteon – a mill already fitted to the pre-facelift model due to the introduction of the new WLTP system for fuel consumption and emissions testing. Higher-powered models will likely ditch the old six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission for a seven-speed unit.
Also expected is a revised version of the GTE plug-in hybrid, which currently uses a 154 hp 1.4 litre TSI engine and a 113 hp electric motor for a total output of 215 hp and an all-electric range of 50 km; expect the latter figure to be significantly increased in the new GTE. There are even rumours of a hot Passat R with a turbocharged V6, although we find that highly unlikely.
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