The New Volkswagen Passat - First Official Photos

[Anthony]

The New Volkswagen Passat
Courtesy Volkswagen UK, 15 December 2004

http://www.audizine.com/news/images/vw_6_passat/vw_6_passat_01.jpg

Volkswagen has released the first pictures of the sixth-generation Passat, ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005.

Since its introduction in 1973, the Passat has established a reputation for the highest quality standards. This was taken to new heights with the launch of the 1996 Passat, whose interior quality reached levels previously seen only in much more expensive executive cars. The new generation increases Volkswagen's lead in this area.

The new Passat has new four-link rear suspension, new transversely-mounted engines and a new body. Many technical highlights will be available, including a Bluetooth telephone unit and high quality sound system, plus, two firsts in this class: a standard-fit electronic handbrake, and a draught-free 2Zone Climatronic system.

http://www.audizine.com/news/images/vw_6_passat/vw_6_passat_02.jpg

Elements of both the concept C and concept R can be seen in the new Passat's distinctive styling, in particular through the imposing chrome grille, which is set to become a feature of future Volkswagens. At the rear, fast-responding LED light units emulate the style of those at the front, with round sections.

http://www.audizine.com/news/images/vw_6_passat/vw_6_passat_03.jpg

The new Passat has grown in all key dimensions, with length up by 62 mm to 4.77 m; width up 74 mm to 1.82 m and height up 10 mm to 1.47 m. The wheelbase has also increased - up by 6 mm to 2.71 m - resulting in even greater interior space. Luggage has not been forgotten either, with maximum boot capacity growing by 90 litres to 565 litres. Another significant measurement is static torsional rigidity - in this respect the new Passat is 57 per cent stiffer than its already very good predecessor, making it a class leader.

http://www.audizine.com/news/images/vw_6_passat/vw_6_passat_04.jpg

Four engines will be available at the model's UK launch: 1.6-litre FSI 115 PS and 2.0-litre FSI 150 PS petrol engines with homogenous direct injection, plus 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS and 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS diesels with high pressure Pumpe Düse unit injection.

Volkswagen's revolutionary DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) will be available on TDI models shortly after launch, with six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission available on 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre FSI engines. 4MOTION four-wheel drive versions will follow later.

UK prices and specification details of the new Passat will be released closer to the new model's launch date in the summer.

Press Release Ends

[foofighter]

where are the pics dammit!

[foofighter]

Dam if this front end doesnt look like the A6's

http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/4569832.jpg

http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/4569831.jpg

http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/4569833.jpg

http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/4569830.jpg

[Anthony]

You just couldn't wait for me to post the pics... [:p]

[foofighter]

NOOOOOOOO you were killing me so i dug around!!!

[Anthony]

Hahaha...those aren't even supposed to be unveiled yet. [;)]

Does look big, doesn't it. A6 big. And that interior, very [new] BMW.

[aussie_s4]

Hah! They "stole" the signature Audi front grille.

[Anthony]

There we go, better photos uploaded/added. [cool]

[foofighter]

there are a lot of bmw esque traits the crease along the door panel...that dash especially...i'll wait for the variant [:)]

looks like they're going w the electronuematic parking brake as well...lots of A6 stuff is going to be appearing in that car and probably at a cheaper price.

[Anthony]

I'm really digging the looks of it, inside and out. Seeing these hi-res versions I have here helps a lot. The instrument cluster is magnificent!

There are BMW creases, lines, etc. But done more tastefully, IMO.

[neoprufrok]

Whoa - I like this a lot!

The best feature:

Dynaudio Audio System. If you guys dont' know, dynaudio makes killer car audio and home audio systems - their top of the line home speakers cost 125,000 per set. They're very famous for that.

I'm starting to think that VW is aiming to be a luxury brand as well.

[foofighter]

that's been their marketing goal to go after the luxury end of the market while Audi went for the sport sports sedan market...they've done a great job on this car

[aussie_s4]

Well, the Audi of America boss (Axel Mees) was fired for admitting that the Phaeton didn't sell because VAG "overestimated the power of the Volkswagen brand" and VAG's "efforts to expand the VW brand into the luxury segment may have been a mistake"

Sorry, but I agree with him. Not taking anything away from this Passat--yes, it looks nice. But the Sports/Luxury market should be left to Audi.


VW Overestimated Brand Reach, U.S. Audi Exec Says (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9620)

VW may return to building more affordable vehicles, after the lackluster reception for the Phaeton luxury sedan.

San Francisco - Volkswagen AG's efforts to expand the VW brand into the luxury segment may have been a mistake, Audi of America Inc.'s top executive says.

The comments are the latest evidence of a tussle within the VW Group, where executives appear to be second-guessing the launch of the up-market VW Phaeton luxury sedan.

The Phaeton has been a disappointment for the VW brand, with sales this year in the U.S. totaling only 1,433 units through October, according to Ward's data. The auto maker earlier said it expected to sell upwards of 2,500 units of the luxury sedan in the U.S. in 2004. If October's total volume of 305 units is a proper barometer, it appears Phaeton sales may reach only the 2,000-unit level.

Now, one of auto maker's top U.S. officials is publicly questioning whether the move was too ambitious.

"I think Volkswagen underestimated the weakness of their brand in the luxury segment," Audi of America head Axel Mees tells reporters here during a media rollout of the 2005 A6. "I think they realized the Phaeton... was a first step too fast into a direction they wanted to go.

"VW overall isn't ready to offer successfully cars in that price range, whatever they do," he adds. "It can be the best car (but) I still will not buy it because it has a VW logo." Mees says executives in charge of the brand at the time of Phaeton's development, most notably CEO Ferdinand Piech, were zeroed in on the wrong aspects of the VW organization when they developed the sedan.

He says the leadership was too focused on the engineering side of the business and the need to develop a top-notch luxury vehicle for the VW brand.

"He (Piech) wanted to prove he could build a good car. He didn't look at the marketing aspect, the brand aspect," Mees says.

VW also suffered from a long-standing image that relied on more affordable products, including the Jetta and Golf, the Audi executive says, adding that many VW dealers were ill prepared to meet the needs of luxury-vehicle buyers. They had a history of dealing with customers spending around $20,000 for a vehicle, not those willing to spend upwards of $80,000 or $90,000, he says.

"They overestimated the power of the Volkswagen brand," Mees says.

It is likely VW will shift its focus in the coming years and return to its roots: building high-quality, affordable cars, and potentially leaving the luxury side of the business to the Audi brand, Mees says.

"The VW model range will be gradually going down (range)," he says. Whether VW now will leave the luxury sector to Audi "is too early to tell," he adds.

[neoprufrok]

That's true. But like with anything - it takes awhile to build brand image. No one could expect VW to jump into the market and all of a sudden change people's minds overnight.

I think give VW a decade and you'll start seeing the effects of the Toureg and Phaeton and more upscale Passat.