VW Passat B8

[Galaxy]

For the time being it has between 125 and 280hp. It can also be had as a plug in hybrid with a total system-hp of 214, and an electric range of 50km. It is slightly shorter then the current one, but has 8cm more wheelbase, less overhang, 1.2cm more width, and 1.4cm less height. It gets all of the latest gizmos like an autopilot that can drive the car autonomously up to 60kmh in a traffic jam. The auto brake function can now detect pedestrians.
















Love the new proportions, however imo some of the details look odd.

[Payman]

I like it.

[MexicoCityM3]

I like it.

Not for the US or Mexico AFAIK. This is Euro-only.

[Raza]

Not for the US or Mexico AFAIK. This is Euro-only.

I was going to say that it seemed quick for a new model. It looks good though. Much sharper than the pillow-soft looking model we have in the US.

[Morris Minor]

Not for the US or Mexico AFAIK. This is Euro-only.

Too bad. Not too fond of Toyowagen they sell here

[Madman]

I would love to one day replace my B5.5 wagon with this.  Unfortunately, unless I emigrate, I will never be able to do so.

DAMN YOU, VOLKSWAGEN!!!!!!   

[Madman]

Oh, and meanwhile, sales of the dumbed-down Toyota Avalon clone masquerading as the Passat in America are down a whopping 33.6% in June compared to last year.  This, despite the American car market as a whole being up by 1.2% during the same period.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jul/02/vw-posts-lower-us-sales-amid-rising-overall-market/

It's clear to everyone (well, everyone except Volkswagen executives) that VW's strategy of foisting second-rate dreck onto their American customers isn't working.  Maybe its time VW scrap the underwhelming NMS and give us the real thing?    They certainly couldn't do any worse than what they're doing now.

Ford is currently enjoying great success selling the same cars all over the world.  If they can do it, so can Volkswagen.

[Xer0]

Oh look, its a Volkswagen.  It looks like every other Volkswagen 

I'm sure it'll be a good car, but eh.

[mzziaz]

I like it, too!

[12,000 RPM]

Looks too much like the American POS

I would rock with the wagon though

I would rock with any mainstream midsize wagon at this point for wifey's car. Even a Camry Hybrid

[ifcar]

Oh, and meanwhile, sales of the dumbed-down Toyota Avalon clone masquerading as the Passat in America are down a whopping 33.6% in June compared to last year.  This, despite the American car market as a whole being up by 1.2% during the same period.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jul/02/vw-posts-lower-us-sales-amid-rising-overall-market/

It's clear to everyone (well, everyone except Volkswagen executives) that VW's strategy of foisting second-rate dreck onto their American customers isn't working.  Maybe its time VW scrap the underwhelming NMS and give us the real thing?    They certainly couldn't do any worse than what they're doing now.

Ford is currently enjoying great success selling the same cars all over the world.  If they can do it, so can Volkswagen.

Sales are down on an aging model whose sales soared to reach that peak. Not too surprising. A costlier premium car wouldn't be selling nearly as well, as Volkswagen has learned quite clearly.


Volkswagen has toyed with the idea in the past of giving us the U.S.-focused sedan along with the European wagon, which would seem like the best of both worlds.

[cawimmer430]

I would love to one day replace my B5.5 wagon with this.  Unfortunately, unless I emigrate, I will never be able to do so.

DAMN YOU, VOLKSWAGEN!!!!!!   

1974 Dodge Monaco Wagon 

[cawimmer430]

Stunning design. I like it. 

The wagon version looks very nice and will no doubt be the top-seller in Europe. It's almost rare that you see a Passat sedan here - everyone goes for the wagon.

[Madman]

Sales are down on an aging model whose sales soared to reach that peak. Not too surprising. A costlier premium car wouldn't be selling nearly as well, as Volkswagen has learned quite clearly.


Volkswagen has toyed with the idea in the past of giving us the U.S.-focused sedan along with the European wagon, which would seem like the best of both worlds.

Or they could just build the real Passat in North America where it is less costly and also avoid fluctuating exchange rates and importation costs.  Just like Ford does with the Fiesta, Focus. Fusion/Mondeo and Escape/Kuga.  As the "One Ford" strategy has already proven, the key to success is to "Design Global, Produce Local".

[68_427]

It looks like fucking fwd Hyundai Genesis.  Horrible

[2o6]

I think it looks fucking gorgeous.


And given the fact everything is moving to MQB architecture, I wouldn't be surprised if the next US Passat gets aligned with this model. By the time this goes on sale, the NMS Passat will be looking to be replaced not too far after that. I give it about 2 years or so then it'll see our shores.


Besides, Europe by in large ignores this segment anyways. This car needs to be in other markets as well in order to make money.

[AltinD]

I think it looks fucking gorgeous.


And given the fact everything is moving to MQB architecture, I wouldn't be surprised if the next US Passat gets aligned with this model. By the time this goes on sale, the NMS Passat will be looking to be replaced not too far after that. I give it about 2 years or so then it'll see our shores.


Besides, Europe by in large ignores this segment anyways. This car needs to be in other markets as well in order to make money.

1. The horizontal grille and the thick bumper are horrible. De Silva's time as chief designer should be up. Bring back Gunak.

2. I think the plan is for the US Passat to move to MQB in a few years as well

3. Huh? No, the Passat is absolutely not ignored in Europe, or the segment. Actually it has been on Top 5 in Germany for like forever.

[2o6]

It's ignored compared to smaller segments.

[12,000 RPM]

I think it looks fucking gorgeous.


And given the fact everything is moving to MQB architecture, I wouldn't be surprised if the next US Passat gets aligned with this model. By the time this goes on sale, the NMS Passat will be looking to be replaced not too far after that. I give it about 2 years or so then it'll see our shores.


Besides, Europe by in large ignores this segment anyways. This car needs to be in other markets as well in order to make money.

Sharp analysis dude. The more I read it the more I agree. Splitting the Passat was pretty stupid, though the Volkswagen Impala seems to be selling like gangbusters. Makes me sick, personally.

[2o6]

Sharp analysis dude. The more I read it the more I agree. Splitting the Passat was pretty stupid, though the Volkswagen Impala seems to be selling like gangbusters. Makes me sick, personally.

The old Passat was unfit for the USA, and was an old design. The model Europe got was a facelift version of the old one, and it wouldn't be adequate for the USA. MQB wasn't ready, and VW was missing out on a large segment of the market.

[Payman]

It's ignored compared to smaller segments.

So, people who shop in the smaller segments, for smaller cars, ignore larger cars in the larger segments?

[2o6]

So, people who shop in the smaller segments, for smaller cars, ignore larger cars in the larger segments?

No, the market for a car of this size is smaller than the market for the cars of classes below it.


I mean, Renault doesn't sell their midsized lineup in some countries of Europe, and IIRC, the Fusion/Mondeo almost didn't happen.

[Payman]

No, the market for a car of this size is smaller than the market for the cars of classes below it.


I mean, Renault doesn't sell their midsized lineup in some countries of Europe, and IIRC, the Fusion/Mondeo almost didn't happen.

I know, just bustin yer balls. Like AltinD said though, the Passat is very popular in the larger segment in Europe.

[Colin]

The Passat sells at roughly twice the rate of all its rivals - Mondeo, Insignia, 508, Avensis etc. To say that it does not sell well is as ill-informed as some of the other comments in this thread. 

[MX793]

The Passat sells at roughly twice the rate of all its rivals - Mondeo, Insignia, 508, Avensis etc. To say that it does not sell well is as ill-informed as some of the other comments in this thread. 

But that entire segment doesn't sell in nearly the same volume, in Europe, as smaller-sized vehicle segments like the C and B segments.  Being the most popular vehicle in an unpopular, or low volume, segment doesn't make a vehicle a great seller, in an absolute sense.  It's still unpopular, it's just less unpopular than the other vehicles in its unpopular segment.

[12,000 RPM]

The old Passat was unfit for the USA, and was an old design. The model Europe got was a facelift version of the old one, and it wouldn't be adequate for the USA. MQB wasn't ready, and VW was missing out on a large segment of the market.

The B6 Passat was a great car. An MKV Golf with the size and engines necessary for Americans. What killed it was

- the recession- it came out like a year before the recession set in
- the B5 Passat's well deserved terrible reputation.
- the MKV Jetta and Rabbit offering 87% of the Passat's content and performance at like 60% of the price

There was just a little too much overlap and too much of a price hike for the Passat. And all VWs were not positioned well price wise compared to the competition.

What I don't understand is why they couldn't Americanize the cars without making them so damn ugly. Decontent the shit but keep them looking good.

[Colin]

But that entire segment doesn't sell in nearly the same volume, in Europe, as smaller-sized vehicle segments like the C and B segments.  Being the most popular vehicle in an unpopular, or low volume, segment doesn't make a vehicle a great seller, in an absolute sense.  It's still unpopular, it's just less unpopular than the other vehicles in its unpopular segment.

It was the 10th biggest selling car in Europe in 2013, with over 200,000 cars sold ............  Clearly that means it is unpopular as a massive 9 other cars outsold it.

[mzziaz]

It was the 10th biggest selling car in Europe in 2013, with over 200,000 cars sold ............  Clearly that means it is unpopular as a massive 9 other cars outsold it.

I can't help but roll my eyes a little when some of the posters here talk with great authority on matters in which their actual knowledge is rather limited.

[2o6]

I think you guys misinterpreted my post entirely....


I merely said the D segment is smaller than the B and C segments. You guys have even confirmed this SEVERAL times on this very forum.

[GoCougs]

It was the 10th biggest selling car in Europe in 2013, with over 200,000 cars sold ............  Clearly that means it is unpopular as a massive 9 other cars outsold it.

Such as?