Volkswagen’s upcoming eighth-gen Passat was recently spied testing in India for the first time. The new Volkswagen Passat was initially showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo held in New Delhi earlier this year.
Notably, the spy images reveal the car in all its shiny glory with no camouflage, as even badges are visible on the car’s rear. The model spotted testing was a diesel variant, which is equipped with the company’s new EA288 2.0-litre diesel engine, also found on the Skoda Octavia and the Audi A3.
Volkswagen Passat Launch Date expected next year
The car is expected to hit Indian roads in the second quarter of next year, i.e., April – June 2017. The company has also equipped the upcoming Passat with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. Though unlike the Toyota Camry hybrid, the petrol-electric Passat hybrid is going be to a plug-in hybrid. The petrol engine and the electric motor churns out a combined output 215 hp of horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. While the engine is mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox.
The upcoming Passat is based on the company’s MQB platform and weighs 85 kg lesser than its earlier model. Though the company claims that despite the reduction in overall kerb weight, the car’s cabin space has increased. Besides, it also gets a slew of cosmetic changes such as an updated front which now sports three slat chrome grills flanked by the LED headlamps.
Volkswagen Passat Price
The company is expected to initially launch the standard 2.0-litre diesel engine variant. While it’s petrol-hybrid ‘GTE’ variant showcased earlier this year at the 2016 Auto Expo could follow later. The upcoming Volkswagen Passat is expected to be priced around Rs. 30 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will compete against the likes of the Skoda Superb and the Toyota Camry.
Back in 2015, the Volkswagen Passat bagged the ‘car of the year’ award at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show. It bagged a total score of 340 points from the judges, comprehensively beating rivals which include the likes of BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, Ford Mondeo and Mercedes C-Class.
