- 2012 Passat is the first product from VW's new $1-billion plant in Chattanooga.
- There's a dramatic reduction in the Passat's base price, to around $20,000.
- The new 2.0-liter TDI returns 43 mpg.
DETROIT — Volkswagen said its redesigned 2012 Passat, on display at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, will get a drastic reduction in the base price and will offer an optional turbodiesel engine that will return 43 mpg in highway driving.
The new Passat, which is aimed squarely at such popular midsize family sedans as the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, is the first vehicle to roll out of VW's new $1-billion Chattanooga plant in Tennessee. It was designed specifically for the U.S. market.
The 2012 Passat for the U.S. is a different vehicle from the European Passat unveiled last fall at the Paris auto show.
The U.S. car features four-wheel independent suspension, with a multilink rear end. For the time being, VW plans to offer only a front-wheel-drive version; 4Motion all-wheel drive may be added later as an option.
The base engine is VW's 2.5-liter inline-5, rated at 170 horsepower and mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Two uplevel engines are offered: a 280-hp 3.6-liter narrow-angle V6 with a six-speed automated manual direct-shift gearbox and a 140-hp 2.0 TDI coupled with either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG. The diesel will provide a driving range of up to 800 miles.
Standard features include dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth hands-free capability. Among the options are keyless/push-button start, remote start and 18-inch wheels and tires.
VW said it expects pricing on the 2012 Passat to start at around $20,000. The current 2010 Passat is priced from $27,945.
Inside Line says: With such a drastic price cut, VW clearly hopes to make up in additional Passat volume what it may be surrendering in cachet. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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ljstevens says:
10:17 AM, 02/13/2011
Hmm this looks like quite like the previous generation Kia Optima. Ironic that the old head of Audi car design has now moved to Kia and has helped design a stunning looking new generation Kia Optima. Kia moving forwards in design, VW moving backwards? They are becoming too understated for their own good. The current car design trends are aggressive, swooping and angular, this is none. This is plain Jane generic 4 door car with a slight, really slight, nod towards VW design.
angry_mushroom says:
01:17 AM, 02/12/2011
Another year, another Passat. Just like Honda, they've managed to make a completely vanilla car with that styling that will look pretty damn good 20 years from now.
narenji says:
07:44 PM, 01/23/2011
It looks like the previous body Sonata. It is a classic design, probably will age better than some super funky newer looking models, like the Sonata and Elantra... For eg, i think the 1990-1993 Accord is still a clean looking car inside and out. I just wish they would still offer the 2.0T as an option...
tbone85 says:
12:35 PM, 01/23/2011
"the later Avalon actually looks better."
Better than what, my butt?
shaohsiin says:
06:49 AM, 01/15/2011
the later Avalon actually looks better.
wikiwiki says:
10:31 AM, 01/14/2011
Not too shabby looking but nothing beats the look of the late 90s Passat. That was my favorite. To me it is all about reliability, which has been keeping VW off my lists forever. Such a drastic price reduction does little to my confidence.
litewerk says:
01:10 AM, 01/13/2011
Looking at the NMS from a rear 3/4 view, I detect more than a hint of the shape and proportions of the outstanding, underrated and overlooked Phaeton. That Phaeton was beyond the reach of most of us, and sadly not on the radar of many of the well-heeled.
This new Passat looks like a proper and understated, practical, functional mid-sizer whose only failure is it's lack of aggressiveness and bling that some enthusiasts crave. And not offering the 2.0T. I agree that in some ways it looks like a larger Jetta, yet look a bit further and I think it's much nicer than simply a larger Jetta. It's really possible that the naysayers have jumped to unfounded conclusions from looking at some picures and a video and hearing about cost-cutting. The reality is there's no way for any of us to know what the new Passat is like without taking the time to check it out once it arrives at the dealers.
bestjinjo says:
10:52 PM, 01/12/2011
The new 2012 Jetta and Passat are so lame, it's a disgrace to the VW brand. This is like buying a boring Accord or Camry, minus the reliability.
myob says:
03:15 PM, 01/12/2011
I think some of you forget that this is an Accord/Camry/Mazda6/Sonata/Fusion/Altima competitor, not a luxo sport sedan. Compared to the above, it looks better than if you expect it to be something it isn't.
They make Audi fwd 2.0t A4's if you want more style, sport, etc.
If you want VW and more pizazz, what about the CC?
chipster1975 says:
09:01 AM, 01/12/2011
I am a confirmed, dyedin-the-wool Volkswagen fanatic after having owned 4 VWs (2 Jettas, 2 Passats) and an Audi and having worked for VW.
With that said... I hate this car. It's been dumbed down for mass appeal and has lost the essence of why most people (and I) love VW.
Back to Audi, I suppose.