Volkswagen Passat 7th generation debuts
Home >
News >
Volkswagen
1st October, 2010
The Passat represents one of the great success stories for
Volkswagen, with over 15 million cars sold since the Passat was first launched in 1973. It is now available in
over 100 countries across the globe.
Now, at the Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l’Automobile) 2nd-17th October, Volkswagen is presenting the world
premiere of an entirely new Passat – as a saloon and an estate car simultaneously. The seventh generation of
this bestseller will be available in some European markets starting as soon as mid-November.
Upper class flair in a mid-class car
The fifth and sixth Passat generations had already left conventional class boundaries behind and bridged a
path to the next higher segment with their high-end features. The seventh generation Passat emphatically
continues this trend. A completely new styling configuration was made; its front-end styling follows that of the
Phaeton which was restyled mid-year. It simultaneously guides the Passat’s independent design into the future.
Without leaving the mid-class in terms of pricing, the Passat approaches the top segments even more powerfully
with its upgraded comfort, convenience, quality and safety properties as well as in its assistance systems. In
fact, the Volkswagen Passat - available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment levels - now offers
more value thanks to its optimised features. For example, standard equipment on all turbodiesel models of the
base Trendline version now includes the energy-saving Stop/Start system and battery regeneration. All other
petrol and natural gas engines have a battery regeneration system as well. For the smallest petrol engine,
battery regeneration and the Stop/Start system are available as options.
Up to 18 per cent improved fuel economy: The new Passat also sets standards in sustainability. All ten
engines (77 kW / 105 PS through 220 kW / 300 PS) are more fuel efficient. The "smallest" and yet torque-strong
turbodiesel (1.6 TDI with 105 PS and 250 Nm) now consumes just 4.2* l/100 km; that is equivalent to 109* g/km
CO2. Meanwhile, downsizing and technologies such as the Stop/Start system contribute to extraordinary fuel
efficiency in the petrol-powered versions. Pioneering here is the 1.4 TSI (90 kW / 122 PS); in the BlueMotion
Technology version, it only consumes 5.8 l/100 km. The equivalent CO2 value is 138 g/km.
Note: * Refers to forecast values effective September 2010.
New safety features: Volkswagen is making progress in the area of safety. The previous model already
attained an impressive five stars in Euro-NCAP crash testing. The new model takes safety to a new level with
features such as an automatic City emergency braking function and, on Comfortline models and above, a standard
fatigue detection function. As a component of the optional automatic ACC adaptive cruise control system, in
worst case scenarios the emergency braking function reacts independently at speeds below 30 km/h. So, it can
help prevent frontal collisions. The fatigue detection system, which Volkswagen is introducing for the first
time in this class, is continually active; it detects reduced driver concentration and warns the driver with
an acoustic signal; a visual message also appears in the instrument cluster recommending that the driver
should take a break from driving.
Another new feature on the Passat: the continually active masked main beam headlights known as
Dynamic Light Assist; this is the same system as the one first introduced on the new Touareg. Dynamic Light
Assist – an option offered in conjunction with bi-xenon headlights - enables continual use of the main beam
headlights while driving. Via a camera, the system detects oncoming traffic and cars driving ahead and
automatically masks only those lighting areas relevant to glare. The results: improved illumination of the
carriageway in nearly all situations. The Passat is the first car in its class to have this system. For
vehicles with conventional halogen headlights, a simpler version of automatic main beam control is available:
Light Assist. A camera is also used here, e.g. to detect oncoming traffic. But the system switches over
completely between main beam and dipped beam. As soon as there is no more oncoming traffic, the main beam is
reactivated.
The XDS electronic transverse differential lock - first introduced on the Golf GTI - improves traction in
bends. Along with Lane Assist (lane keeping assistant), which was also available in the previous model, there
will now also be a Side Assist function, which uses flashing LEDs in the door mirrors to call the driver’s
attention to vehicles located laterally to the rear or next to the Passat or a vehicle approaching quickly
from the rear. A new, direct measuring tyre pressure monitoring system also signals potential loss of tyre
pressure - individually for each wheel. The pressures of all tyres may also be displayed in the instrument
cluster.
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
Innovative convenience systems: Other new assistance systems are essentially convenience oriented,
and they significantly simplify everyday driving. They include Easy Open: If the new Passat saloon is
equipped with Keyless Access (automatic locking and engine starting system), a specific foot motion behind
the vehicle is sufficient to cause the boot lid to open. Anyone who has stood next to a car with both hands
full knows know helpful a function like Easy Open can be. Naturally, the boot lid only opens for someone who
is carrying the proper RF identification fob for the Passat. The human-machine interface here is a sensor
located in the bumper area.
Also new in the Passat: The rear seat system that can be unlatched from the bootspace, a towbar
that can be made to swivel out at the press of a button and side windows in noise-dampening compound safety
glass. As in the new Sharan, Park Assist II will now also be offered on the Passat; this system not only can
steer into parking spaces parallel to the carriageway; it can also find its way into parking spaces
perpendicular to it. Last but not least, the Passat’s RNS 510 navigation system detects speed limit signs
by camera and sends them to the touchscreen in the centre console.
Availability
Following its public debut at the Paris Motor Show (2nd-17th October, 2010) the new Volkswagen Passat will
be released in specific European markets from mid-November, 2010. An Australian release is due in 2011.
Specifications and prices for the Australian Volkswagen Passat line-up will be announced in due
course.
| 
