Malaysia executive and middle class luxury car buyers will be the beneficiaries of Volkswagen’s Malaysian growth plans as the all-new Passat sedan arrives in just days at all VW showrooms with improved looks, better interiors, extra technology and boosted fuel consumption from an improved all new engine. This news spells trouble for the segment leaders (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and Mazda6) and some dire segment climbers trying to get their 1st foot into the segment (Peugeot 508 and Kia Optima). This new Volkswagen Passat sedan is the seventh generation of their executive where Malaysians only had a taste of the 6th generation which sold in decent numbers and the all popular Passat CC which is still selling beyond expectations.
Boasting a raft of technical improvements the new Volkswagen Passat sedan is Volkswagen at its best and immediately leaps into the space occupied by the Camry and Accord. It will probably come with a 118TSI using Volkswagen’s 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that returns a class leading fuel consumption from the turbocharged 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine at a combined cycle of just 7.2l/100kms. Power and torque are rated at an impressive 118kW/250Nm and the transmission will be a seven-speed DSG.
Interior design has long been a Volkswagen strong point with a very comfortable behind the wheel experience with abundant adjustment for the drivers’ seat and nice steering wheel. Rear seat legroom in the new Volkswagen Passat is on par with its best rivals and the seat split-folds 70/30 for access to the enormous 565-litre boot. This Volkswagen Passat will feature the new Volkswagen design ‘DNA’ – the continuous line running from the headlights across the grille with its four crossmembers. Slightly longer than its predecessor (4,769mm), the new Volkswagen Passat is the same width and height as before but its new looks were intended to give it a more purposeful on-road presence. More to come in a few days. Asking price should be around RM180,000.00 making it a segment best value executive sedan.
