Volkswagen will introduce its new Passat Alltrack at the Tokyo Motor Show and at the Bologna Motor Show simultaneously. The model is a crossover off-road version of Passat Variant - inspired by the “allroad” approach often used by Audi - and will come with an engine range composed of a 1.8 TFSI (160 hp) and a 2.o TSI (210 hp) petrol engines as well as a 2.0 TDI diesel unit (in power steps of 140 and 170 hp), all of which coupled with a 6-speed dual clutch DSG transmission. Almost all versions will be all-wheel-drive as there will be also a front-wheel-drive option with manual gearbox for the TDI 140 hp unit.

The standard Passat bodywork underwent just slight changes to fit the Alltrack powertrain, and now it features more protective bumpers, plastic covers for the fenders and a ride height increased by 30 mm. The car uses VW’s ‘Off-Road Driving Programme’, which works up to 30 km/h (18.6 mph) and electronically tunes equipment including the electronic differential, ABS, torque control, hill descent and - in DSG-equipped cars only - gearbox shift points to provide a more effective off-road drive. The model also uses 18″ rims, alcantara and leather upholstery, climate and cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth and sat nav.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack will enter the market in 2012. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but since the car will be positioned at the top of the Passat range, between the Passat Estate and the Tiguan crossover, we would expect it to cost at least 30,000 €.

View the full Volkswagen Passat Alltrack photo gallery

....

0 comments

Volkswagon has released the German pricing of the new Passat Coupè, presented at the world Detroit Show last January. Sales will start in June, but it’s already possible to order it, starting from 30,300 euro.

With this figure it’s possible to buy the base version, equipped with 1.8 TSI at 160 bhp, which enables a maximum speed of 222km/hr. For the driver preferring a diesel engine, the 2.0 TDI 140 bhp starts from 30,775 euro.

The top of the range, equipped with a 3.6 V6 FSI of 300 bhp can be bought for a starting price of 40,800 euro. Go to the following PDF (in German) for the official release from the German company.

....

1 comment

Today, the 15 millionth Passat produced throughout the world rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen’s Emden plant. Official DKMS ambassador Sybille Beckenbauer accepted the vehicle as a donation from Prof. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Pavel Vacek, plant manager at Emden and Peter Jacobs, Chairman of the Works Council of Emden plant. The car is a Passat Variant BlueMotion 1.9 TDI 105 HP in arctic blue silver metallic.

The Passat is one of the most successful models in Volkswagen history and also one of the most popular mid-size models in Europe. Heizmann stated: “Fifteen million Passats produced in 34 years are a fantastic result which everyone at Emden can take pride in together with all the other members of the Passat family at plants throughout the world”.

Plant manager Pavel Vacek added: “This round figure has a very special significance for our plant. Of the 15 million Passats produced in total, 5.9 million were made in Emden. This indicates the strategic importance of the model as a symbol for Emden plant and the whole region.” On the presentation of the vehicle in Emden, Sybille Beckenbauer stressed the importance of the charitable work of the German Bone Marrow Donor Center: The Passat donated to the organization will be employed in the large number of campaigns organized by the DKMS.

....

0 comments