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2012 Volkswagen Passat rendered

G

glimmerman

Member
http://www.motorauthority.com/...volkswagen-passat.html


Volkswagen's next-generation Passat is expected to up the stakes against Germany?s luxury carmakers, with the car?s designers hoping it will be mentioned in the same breath as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

Under the hood, a replacement for the VR6 engine will be in place, putting out close to 300hp (224kW) from a displacement of 3.0L. To improve mileage and maintain power, the new engine will also be using direct injection, while the rest of the powertrain lineup is expected to benefit from some form of forced induction as well. Other models will include a new hybrid as well as a high-performance diesel with AWD.

To give the Passat some much needed panache, VW will be pulling out all the stops to make the next-generation a technological showcase, with features that should have the traditional German manufacturers feeling a little worried.

Expected to debut in late 2011 as a 2012 model, the next-generation Passat is tipped to feature a host of new technologies, including airless tires, a wiperless window cleaning system, and an advanced user interface. There may also be an electronic stability system with a feature that automatically offers counter-steering assistance in adverse driving conditions.

One year after the launch of the Passat sedan will be the station wagon. This will be followed closely by a new high-performance model to replace the current R36.
 
Doesn't VW own Audi?

Why would they want to take market share from their own products, let alone sell a car with lower margins?
 
VW has generally sought to provide superior visual fit and finish and style for the price. That's basically their value proposition. To do that, they cut corners elsewhere -- generally things you can't see. This is pretty consistent with that direction.

Is it going to push Audi? Probably not, it's their own brand. They'll just build a superior Audi. The Passat will simply compete as a "value alternative" to the other brands by providing looks and technology, but not necessarily the refinements present in the 3-series, etc, to offer it at a lower price point. The Audi will have those refinements, as usual.
 
Originally posted by: sjwaste
VW has generally sought to provide superior visual fit and finish and style for the price. That's basically their value proposition. To do that, they cut corners elsewhere -- generally things you can't see. This is pretty consistent with that direction.

Is it going to push Audi? Probably not, it's their own brand. They'll just build a superior Audi. The Passat will simply compete as a "value alternative" to the other brands by providing looks and technology, but not necessarily the refinements present in the 3-series, etc, to offer it at a lower price point. The Audi will have those refinements, as usual.
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I always thought of the Passat as the German alternative to the Accord, Camry and 6 and the A4 in the same class as the 3, C, G35 and TL. It is strange that they would want to go upmarket with the Passat because there are already a few value propositions in the 3 and C class market like the TL and G35.
 
Originally posted by: Doggiedog

I always thought of the Passat as the German alternative to the Accord, Camry and 6 and the A4 in the same class as the 3, C, G35 and TL. It is strange that they would want to go upmarket with the Passat because there are already a few value propositions in the 3 and C class market like the TL and G35.
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It is. They consistently try to do this...and it seems stupid...especially since the A4 is another VAG vehicle. In reality I think they are just trying to get people to feel like the car is almost as good as a 3 Series/A4...but at barely more than Accord prices...so that people will look at the extra price over the accord as a good deal. Doesn't seem like it's been working.

I really hope that rendering is wrong. The current Passat has never grown on me. Just looks like an overweight car to me. The old Passat was beautiful. they need to use some of the visual trickery employed by other manufacturers that make a roomy vehicle appear to be svelt and muscular instead of just overweight.
 
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: Doggiedog

I always thought of the Passat as the German alternative to the Accord, Camry and 6 and the A4 in the same class as the 3, C, G35 and TL. It is strange that they would want to go upmarket with the Passat because there are already a few value propositions in the 3 and C class market like the TL and G35.
Click to expand...

It is. They consistently try to do this...and it seems stupid...especially since the A4 is another VAG vehicle. In reality I think they are just trying to get people to feel like the car is almost as good as a 3 Series/A4...but at barely more than Accord prices...so that people will look at the extra price over the accord as a good deal. Doesn't seem like it's been working.

I really hope that rendering is wrong. The current Passat has never grown on me. Just looks like an overweight car to me. The old Passat was beautiful. they need to use some of the visual trickery employed by other manufacturers that make a roomy vehicle appear to be svelt and muscular instead of just overweight.
Click to expand...

yep, the B5 is still the best looking passat to date IMO
 
I own a Passat wagon, bought used. While I can't complain too much about it (got it at a great price because of VW's reputation) I shudder when I think VW will be adding even more gee wizz gismos to the car.

Fix the electronics and make them reliable. When you have reestablished the reputation VW had at one time. As it is they are far too expensive to constantly fix the electronic gremlins.
 
Volkswagen's next-generation Passat is expected to up the stakes against Germany?s luxury carmakers, with the car?s designers hoping it will be mentioned in the same breath as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class and Audi A4.
Click to expand...

No. Passat will never be a 3 series or c class or A4. VW needs to remember it has a luxury brand. Does it really want another repeat of that silly thing that came out a few years ago for all that money?
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Volkswagen's next-generation Passat is expected to up the stakes against Germany?s luxury carmakers, with the car?s designers hoping it will be mentioned in the same breath as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class and Audi A4.
Click to expand...

No. Passat will never be a 3 series or c class or A4. VW needs to remember it has a luxury brand. Does it really want another repeat of that silly thing that came out a few years ago for all that money?
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The Phaeton?

That thing was a disaster even with the W12 engine.
 
Well if it is put up against A4, 3 etc

Think of it as more saturation for the same company, and less for others. But to be honest, this style of scheme does not work when it comes to cars.... take GM for instance.

This however does work for retail stores selling the same stuff (see FutureShop/BestBuy in Canada). Same company, both selling identical, one store slightly cheaper than the other for different items, causing the user to go to whichever is cheaper... but either way same company rakes in the money. Works best in monopoly situation, VW is not in that situation

 
I also thought the Passat was supposed to be the more refined alternative to the Accord/Camry. Also where does the CC fit in?

Edit: I don't like the new sharp inside corner thing in the headlights that this Passat and the new GTI have
 
My fiancee's car is a B5.5 Passat, and I really like it. I think it looks better than this one though.

Honestly, the only thing the B5.5 was lacking was in-dash nav, and we fixed that with a Pioneer F700BT. Otherwise, its one of the most refined cars I've driven at that price point, if not the most. Beats the piss out of the Camry and Accord, and knock on wood, hers has been very reliable. It's also very well maintained, which helps.

Actually, I'm always most impressed by how the B5.5 Passat stops. Of course, it only weighs 3300 lbs, but the car has great brakes.
 
I'm with some of the others in this thread. Not really digging the pinched look of the headlights and that grill. The B5 was a beautiful design and that will still be what a "Passat" looks like to me.
 
Originally posted by: vi edit
I'm with some of the others in this thread. Not really digging the pinched look of the headlights and that grill. The B5 was a beautiful design and that will still be what a "Passat" looks like to me.
Click to expand...

Agreed. With the exception of the current Wagon...I just don't like the current Passat design wise. I want to...but just don't.
 
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: vi edit
I'm with some of the others in this thread. Not really digging the pinched look of the headlights and that grill. The B5 was a beautiful design and that will still be what a "Passat" looks like to me.
Click to expand...

Agreed. With the exception of the current Wagon...I just don't like the current Passat design wise. I want to...but just don't.
Click to expand...

When the lease on my Mazda5 is up...I'm in the hunt for an '06 or '07 V6 Sport trim wagon. They are freaking hard to find though. For a wagon...that's one sexy beast.

But I just might say 'eff it and just grab a low milage '04 or so B5.5 wagon again and just pay outright in cash. You can get them for under $10,000 now. Still a great looking car with a very pleasant ride and excellent cargo & people room.
 
i'm not seeing the differences with the current passat off the top of my head.

i do wonder why VW thinks it can or should market any of its cars in the premium area
 
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: vi edit
I'm with some of the others in this thread. Not really digging the pinched look of the headlights and that grill. The B5 was a beautiful design and that will still be what a "Passat" looks like to me.
Click to expand...

Agreed. With the exception of the current Wagon...I just don't like the current Passat design wise. I want to...but just don't.
Click to expand...

When the lease on my Mazda5 is up...I'm in the hunt for an '06 or '07 V6 Sport trim wagon. They are freaking hard to find though. For a wagon...that's one sexy beast.

But I just might say 'eff it and just grab a low milage '04 or so B5.5 wagon again and just pay outright in cash. You can get them for under $10,000 now. Still a great looking car with a very pleasant ride and excellent cargo & people room.
Click to expand...

It would have been awesome if VW brought the R36 over here to the states. I would have certainly lusted after that vehicle...although I imagine the price would have made it a bit much. A B5.5 wagon would be great. The fact that the B5.5 still looks classy and current is a testament to how well sorted that vehicle was (minus some reliability issues). I'd definitely drive one.

By the way...I thought you were driving a Malibu Maxx these days...or is this your wife's car?
 
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