Flexible Engine Lineup and Luxurious Interior/Exterior

The seventh-generation new Passat is, strictly speaking, a major minor change of the sixth generation. The body styles remain the same as before, sedan and variant, with three grades each: Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline. Additionally, a new luxury grade, Exclusive, has been introduced.

For the European market, ten engines are available. Three four-cylinder TSI and V6 engines are gasoline engines. There are also eco-fuel engines that can achieve the lowest emissions by using natural gas as fuel, multi-fuel engines that can run on gasoline mixed with up to 85% ethanol, and four TDI engines, offering a comprehensive lineup. Models equipped with turbo-diesel engines feature start-stop systems and energy regeneration systems. Furthermore, models with gasoline and natural gas engines are equipped only with the energy regeneration system.

While the exterior has not changed significantly from the current Passat, options include a grille with four crossbars and "dual reflector headlights" using bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights comprising 15 LEDs. A glance at the photos reveals a clear improvement in interior and exterior quality.

The evolution of safety equipment is another characteristic of the new Passat, with many advanced technologies such as "City Emergency Braking," "Driver Alert System," and "Dynamic Light Assist" reportedly adopted.

Sales of the vehicle are scheduled to begin in Europe in mid-next month.


BRAND HISTORY
Volkswagen, established in 1936, is an automobile manufacturer known for its straightforward image, as it does not produce sports cars. However, it possesses high technological capabilities and maintains its position as a top-tier passenger car manufacturer globally. A distinctive aspect of Volkswagen is that it was one of the few automotive companies to truly begin operations after World War II in Europe. It also cherishes the passion for car manufacturing of its founder, engineer Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, as its heritage. After laying its foundation with the Type 1, commonly known as the Beetle, it leveraged the technological prowess of the acquired Audi to develop passenger cars for a broader market. The breakthrough came in 1974 with the Golf, which became a huge hit by brilliantly balancing the two essential functions of an automobile: usability and driving performance. This spirit of car manufacturing continues today, and while Volkswagen models are practical, they also offer genuine driving enjoyment. The early adoption of the dual-clutch system in the previous Golf generation was also noteworthy.

Volkswagen is also a company adept at marketing. Establishing the "hot hatch" genre by introducing the GTI version of the Golf can be considered a historic achievement in the automotive world. They are also skilled in brand management. By adopting its proprietary quattro all-wheel-drive technology for Audi, Volkswagen has succeeded in cultivating a different market segment with an advanced image. Currently, it owns Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti, arguably the most high-performance and expensive sports cars in the world, and is also the largest shareholder of Porsche.

In the late 1990s, the company focused heavily on improving quality with the goal of surpassing Japanese cars. As a result, its build quality has reached global standards. Furthermore, in recent years, its improvements in quietness have been remarkable, posing a significant challenge to what was once the stronghold of Japanese cars.

The lineup in Japan primarily consists of the compact hatchback Polo, the Golf and its station wagon version, the Golf Variant, the multi-purpose minivan Touran, the sedan version of the Golf, the Jetta, and the larger-bodied Passat Variant. Additionally, there is the 2-door coupe Scirocco, the Passat CC, which is a 4-door but boasts a stylish, coupe-like design, and in the SUV category, the Tiguan and the large Touareg.

The Golf, in particular, offers a wide range of variations, from models equipped with a 1.2-liter turbo engine to the GTI, and the Golf R, which combines a 256ps engine with a four-wheel-drive system. This range, from fuel-efficient and comfortable models to those for drivers seeking driving pleasure, clearly demonstrates the breadth and depth of Volkswagen's car manufacturing philosophy.