Volkswagen previews new Passat in Detroit

Volkswagen has revealed its latest Passat at the Detroit motor show this week, a car it says has been specifically developed for the US market.

Bigger, more comfortable and with even more up-to-the-minute technology, new Passat will be built at the firm's Chattanooga plant in Tennessee ahead of a market launch this August.

Available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, the new Passat line-up will also comprise a sporty DSG-equipped VR6 version promising 0-100km/h times of just 6.5 seconds.

The US-spec Passat will be available in three grades: S, SE and SEL with a comprehensive standard equipment list promised, even on the entry-level model. Priced from USD$20,000 Passat includes the usual list of in-cabin electrics, insulating glass, analogue clock and CD tuner with media player connectivity and voice-activated Bluetooth telephony.

Safety equipment is equally wide-ranging with stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, anti-lock brakes and six airbags among the long list of inclusions.

Measuring 4868mm in length the 1835mm wide Passat rides on a 2803mm wheelbase to provide greater interior space, most noticeably in the rear seat.

Since going on sale in the US in 1987 Volkswagen has sold 700,000 Passats, making it one of the brand's best selling models. VW says the new model should further that trend with more than a million examples expected to be produced over the next seven years.

Volkswagen has previously stated that the US-spec Passat will not be made available in right-hand drive and therefore will not make it to Australia. But who knows what the future might hold?

Worldwide more than 15 million Passats have been sold.

Further specification details and complete pricing will be announced for the US market in March.

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