Volkswagen India had discontinued the Passat sedan from their line-up; but will soon be adding it back
One of the most iconic products in Volkswagen’s portfolio, the Passat premium sedan is expected to be launched in its BS6 avatar later this year or in early 2021. The car comes with a range of exterior and interior upgrades. Test mule was recently spotted near company plant in Pune, by automotive enthusiast Siddhartth Patil.
Exterior changes
Passat facelift comes with an updated front fascia, as can be seen with the sleek slatted grille that seamlessly blends with the LED matrix headlamps. The bumper has been redesigned and it houses the fog lamps in a unique bow-tie shape. The faux air vents at the bottom mirror the front grille design and enhance the car’s classy appeal. The exteriors carry a sculpted, aerodynamic character with neatly defined curves.
On the sides, Passat BS6 has a prominent shoulder line running all the way from the front wheels to the tail lamps. It neatly blends in the door handles for a more sophisticated look and feel. The dynamic multi-spoke alloy wheels also stand out. At the rear, changes include a redesigned rear bumper and new LED tail lights.
Passat’s interiors look elegant with a spacious, clutter-free dashboard and a broad, seamlessly integrated central console that houses the large touchscreen infotainment system. Other key features include flat-bottomed steering wheel with capacitive touch controls, fully digital instrument cluster, adaptive lights, dual zone climate control, cruise control and power adjustable front seats with memory function. Updated Passat will also be equipped with SIM-based connected car tech.
Petrol powered Passat
Powering Passat facelift will be the same engine as can be seen on Skoda Superb and Tiguan Allspace. The 2.0-litre TSI petrol motor churns out 187 bhp of max power and 320 Nm of max torque. It will be mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic unit.
Passat was first launched in the Indian market in 2007 and it had emerged as a popular car in its class. It had also undergone the process of being discontinued and re-launched in the Indian market. In the recent past, Volkswagen had taken down Passat from its India website earlier this year in January. That was due to delay in updating the car to BS6 emission standards.
Passat will primarily compete with Skoda Superb, a tough task, as Superb will be cheaper than Passat. Volkswagen Passat BS6 facelift is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 34-35 lakh in the Indian market. In comparison, Skoda Superb BS6 retails in the range of Rs 30 – 33 lakh. However, considering Passat’s global status, paying a few extra bucks shouldn’t be a major issue for VW fans.
