The revised Volkswagen Passat will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show next autumn, giving one of VW's best-selling ranges a much-needed update and going some way to compensate for disappointing sales of the company's other big saloon, the Phaeton.
VW has denied rumours that the Phaeton will be quietly killed off, but there's no doubt that the new Passat will incorporate many features of the Phaeton's design - though with a new and much more impressive face. It will also get a larger, more luxurious cabin.
Insiders say that the new Passat will have the same sloping roofline, thick C-pillar and similar head- and taillights to the brand's flagship model. It is being developed with a view to rivalling the BMW 5 series and Mercedes E-Class, as well as its sister model, the Audi A6.
This contrasts with the current Passat range, which is seen more as a mainstream Mondeo/Vectra alternative.
The new Passat is 10 centimetres longer than the current car, eight centimetres wider and it has a longer wheelbase. Height will remain unchanged, but interior space will be greatly improved.
Insiders point to a more modern cabin design with improved refinement and reduced noise levels.
Engines will include four-, five- and six-cylinder petrol units, and 1.9-litre (100bhp and 130bhp) and 2.5 V6 (150bhp) diesels. An all-new 2-litre diesel, said to be good for 180bhp, is also under development. - Automedia