A picture has leaked onto the web today purporting to be lifted straight from a Volkswagen brochure and depicting the next-generation Passat. Is it the real deal, or another impressive rendering like yesterday's Explorer "leak?"
There's no way to be certain, but it certainly looks consistent with what we've come to expect the car to look like. We recently caught it testing in the Alps and careful consideration of the pictures revealed that the car would likely adopt styling cues from the latest Volkswagen models including the Golf and Touareg. The car in this picture certainly fits those expectations with its square headlight binnacles beneath the clear lenses, long, narrow grille, boxier shape and trapezoidal lower air intake.
No other pictures of the car have been leaked, but some details have already emerged. The interior is expected to lift a few cues from the up-market CC, helping this car to move up-market as well. Engine options are expected to expand from the single four-cuylinder option that is currently available to two four-cylinders, a V-6 and a diesel engine.
Despite the updates, the Passat you see here is not an all-new car. Rather, it is a substantial mid-cycle update. A full redesign is expected in 2014. This car, which will likely be billed as a 2011 model if not a 2012, is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. Will the refreshed Passat make it Stateside? In years past that would be a given, but with the new North American-exclusive New Midsize Sedan slated to start production in mid-2011, speculation is that the Passat will be solider on in Europe only. The upcoming NMS has been designed to bring a stronger fight to Camry and Accord as a slightly larger vehicle than the current Passat and a more budget-friendly price.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
