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Confirmed: Volkswagen NMS will be named Passat

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Old 01-09-11, 07:34 PM
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Default Confirmed: Volkswagen NMS will be named Passat

Confirmed: Volkswagen NMS will be named Passat



We're less than 24 hours away from Volkswagen's big reveal at the Detroit Auto Show and while our man Paukert was staked out at a media gathering at VW's corporate headquarters in Herndon, VA he learned that the NMS will carry the Passat badge when it goes on sale later this year.

Up until now, there was some question whether V-Dub would continue to use Passat for its new mid-size sedan, but after the NCS (New Compact Sedan) debuted with the Jetta badge, it was all but assumed that the Passat nameplate would carry on. We'll have all the details on the 2012 Passat later tonight and live shots from the floor when the wraps come off tomorrow.

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/volks...rings/#3420250

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/09/c...-named-passat/
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Old 01-09-11, 08:47 PM
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Default 2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video]

2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video]



As part of the Volkswagen quest to carve out an ever-larger slice of the American auto market, the German manufacturer has unveiled the newest addition to its lineup – the 2012 Passat. Penned specifically to cater to big-boned tastes of American buyers, the next-generation sedan wears a 110.4-inch wheelbase to make it larger than any of its predecessors. Even so, VW says that when the Passat goes on sale later this year, it will arrive with a price tag of less than $20,000. Buyers will be able to choose one of three different power train options, including two gasoline engines and one diesel powerplant.

Things get started with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, followed by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 140 ponies and 236 pound-feet of twist. Those who opt for the top-of-the-line mill will be rewarded with a 3.6-liter V6 with 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The 2012 Passat will be built at the new VW manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee later this year.

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...assat/#3765751










Volkswagen Reveals the All-New Passat - A First-In-Class Vehicle That Delivers Superior German Engineering and Is Built in America.

The larger, sophisticated Passat offers best-in-class rear legroom, remarkable fuel efficiency estimated at 43 mpg with a driving experience only Volkswagen can deliver.

WOLFSBURG, Germany, HERNDON, Va., and DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc., today announced the world debut of the all-new Passat, a transformational car in Volkswagen's ambitious growth plan for the U.S. market.

Designed in Germany and made in America, the Passat was developed as a larger vehicle with premium features and handling characteristics that will perfectly match it with the tastes and lifestyles of Americans. It will be built in Chattanooga, Tenn., at the world's newest, most advanced and environmentally responsible auto assembly plant.

The new Passat, the largest ever, is the only midsize sedan that offers superior German engineering at an accessible price. The Passat TDI -- the only clean diesel option in the segment -- is expected to deliver 43 miles per gallon on the highway, with a range of approximately 800 miles.

Final pricing will be announced in the spring, but the Passat will start at around $20,000 when it arrives in dealer showrooms later this year. It will come with premium standard features that include automatic climate control and Bluetooth connectivity.

The new Passat offers best-in-class legroom, Volkswagen's Care Free Maintenance program (3 years/36,000 miles) and the safety of Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System.

Volkswagen's new Chattanooga plant that will produce the Passat is part of a $4 billion investment by the company in the U.S. market. The environmentally friendly facility includes a revolutionary paint shop that significantly reduces emissions. A state-of-the-art $40 million employee training center ensures adherence to Volkswagen's exacting quality standards.

The Passat will set new benchmarks for safety, driving performance and environmental responsibility in the midsize segment.

Engine and Transmission

The all-new Passat offers three drivetrain options: a responsive 2.5L gasoline engine, a remarkably eco-friendly 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel and a powerful 3.6L VR6.

The 2.5L five cylinder engine (170 hp/177 lb.-ft.), which is being offered in the Passat for the first time, will be mated to a standard 5 speed manual transmission. As an alternative, the 2.5 multi port injection engine may be paired with a 6-speed automatic.

The quiet, four cylinder 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel (140 hp/236 lb.-ft.) has the power of a six cylinder gasoline engine and the fuel economy of a hybrid. The Passat TDI is expected to deliver 43 miles per gallon on the highway, with a range of approximately 800 miles. Volkswagen's TDI clean diesel engines, which come with a NOx storage catalytic converter, are among the cleanest engines in the world, fulfilling emissions requirements in all 50 states. Optional on the Passat TDI will be Volkswagen's legendary 6-speed DSG transmission.

The 3.6 liter VR6 (280 hp/258 lb.-ft.) makes the new Passat a top-flight sport sedan. It offers power and luxury-class driving comfort, with European-type restraint in its fuel consumption -- estimated at 28 mpg on the highway.

Gear shifting on the new Passat VR6 is handled by a standard 6-speed DSG; the dual-clutch transmission is considered the most efficient automatic in the world. This technologically advanced six-speed transmission incorporates an automatic dual-clutch system that instantly engages and disengages gears without the need for a clutch pedal. With a special computer controlling the process, one clutch is engaged on the next gear while the clutch from the previous gear is released. The results are crisp, quick shifts, without the loss of power that is experienced with a traditional manual gearbox.

Premium Features

The Passat will be offered in three trim levels, S, SE and SEL, with a total of 16 equipment levels. All will offer first-in-class safety and comfort.

The Passat's safety features include Volkswagen's advanced Intelligent Crash Response Systems, which initiates automatic safety protections in a collision -- the fuel supply and high consumption electronic equipment shuts off; the doors unlock; the battery terminal disconnects from the alternator cable; the hazard lights switch on.

The Passat also comes with a tire pressure monitoring system, ESP electronic stabilization program, ABS with braking assistant, Hill Climb Assist (with manual transmission), six airbags and an extremely rigid body structure to protect the driver and passengers.

The Passat sets new standards for comfort, with a significantly larger rear seating area, best-in-class rear seat legroom, well-designed controls and superior touring properties.

Other standard features include automatic climate control, power windows all around, air conditioning, insulating glass, a distinctive analog clock at the center of the instrument panel, cruise control, outside temperature display with frost warning, radio-CD system (MP3-capable, plus external audio input) and Bluetooth connectivity.

Premium options include 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, power seat adjustment, leather, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen satellite radio, a choice of Volkswagen's RNS 510 or RNS 315 navigation systems, front fog lights with static cornering lights, wood decor, new ambiance lighting, memory driver's seat, power passenger seat, and keyless access with push button start.

The Passat will also offer the new Fender premium audio system, designed exclusively for Volkswagen. In a partnership that combined quality automotive engineering and quality sound engineering, Volkswagen and Fender teamed up to bring the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience.

Exterior

The Passat's balanced proportions give it a unique, timeless and dominant styling reflecting the "design DNA" developed by Walter de Silva, the Italian design chief for the Volkswagen Group, and Klaus Bischoff, the German design leader for the Volkswagen Brand. The signature clean design, with a predominance of horizontal body elements, reinforces the Passat's position as the sophisticated choice in the midsize segment. The bottom line: this car looks much more expensive than it actually is.

The key identifying feature of a strong brand is the styling of its front end. Here the Passat displays the new horizontal brand face, with the grille and headlights forming a single unit. Unlike models in the compact class, the Passat's grille is sculpted in a three-dimensional shape. Moreover, the grille stands more upright and makes a more distinctive and elegant impression in its stricter geometry.

From the side profile, the muscular ridge in the sill area creates a lively interplay of light reflections. Powerfully sculpted wheel arches emphasize the dynamic properties of the Passat. In the balance of the side profile, the roof lines flow toward the back with a nearly coupe-like cut of the rear window. Three side windows create luxury class style with a long, extended glass surface.

The rear section is also dominated by horizontal lines. The lines of the large taillights rise toward the sides, underscoring the dynamics of the elegant rear styling. Another unique feature here is the design of the two-part taillights (integrated in the rear fender and trunk lid).

Interior

The Passat shows the look of considerably more expensive cars. The new, larger Passat is 191.7 inches long and has a 110.4 inch wheelbase, which translates into a noticeable increase in rear seating space.
Like the exterior, the interior is also marked by a clean and geometric formal structure. Interior styling consistently follows the maxims of functionality. Controls are attractive and easy to operate.

The instrument panel is similar to that of Volkswagen's flagship vehicle, the all-new Touareg. Chrome trimmed gauges surround a digital multifunction display. A high-end chrome look is also applied to the air vents in the cockpit, and to the surrounds of the radio, navigation system and the climate control panels. The rotary light switch and parking brake handle button are also treated in chrome. Except for the base version, all other Passat trims have chrome interior accents on the window, mirror adjustment and trunk opening switches.

The upper and lower instrument areas are visually distinguished by various decorative accents, depending on the equipment version. Decorative elements in "Titan" design are used in the S version; the elegant "Titan Silver Printed" decor is used in the SE version, wood decor "Autumn Nut Burl" is featured in the exclusive SEL version. The accents not only upgrade the instruments, but also the center console as well as the door trim panels.

The seats are exceptionally comfortable. Even in the base version, the driver's seat is adjustable eight ways, including lumbar support.

The new Passat and the all-new Jetta are expected to be the sales leaders in Volkswagen's plan to significantly increase market share in the United States. The company's strategy is built on a broad portfolio of products that offers cars accessible to the majority as well as vehicles for car enthusiasts.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/09/2...hattanooga-vw/
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Old 01-09-11, 08:51 PM
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I honestly can't believe this and the Jetta are new designs. They look like something that should have debuted 30 years ago. The only plus I see here is a the offering of a diesel. They want to sell I think 120k of these and I just don't see that happening.




Styling: visual dominance of a large saloon

It is the balanced proportions of the new Passat that give it its entirely unique, timeless and dominant styling. Just a few precise lines suffice to define its form. These style lines reflect par excellence the Volkswagen's new "design DNA": clear, minimal forms and lines with a predominance of horizontal body elements. Visually, this impressive styling launches the Volkswagen Passat up half a class. The bottom line: this car looks much more expensive than it actually is.
hahahahhahahahahhhahahahahahahahahahahahaahahah

 
Old 01-09-11, 09:07 PM
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yeeeyyyyyy!! This is sooo exciting!
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Old 01-09-11, 09:32 PM
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Those are big fog lights!



That's all I've got to say about that...
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Old 01-09-11, 09:36 PM
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Extremely plain, but I like it. It's clean and modern, in the non-offending way VW/Audi usually pulls it off. What I like is a car that doesn't need to call a lot of attention to itself, but doesn't skimp on moderness. Interior looks high end for this class. The Passat name never should have been put on the cutting block. Would have been stupid to have the old Passat alongside the NMS. This is what the current Passat should have been.
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Old 01-09-11, 09:36 PM
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I assume it will look better in person just like the Jetta. everyone screamed how boring Jetta when it came out, but surprisingly it looks great in person.

but i wish VW wasn't so lazy. from treg to this.. possibly the worst case of making minime after minime since well.. Audi..
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Old 01-09-11, 09:43 PM
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Either VW has hit a plateau or they are going back in time.... I still can't figure it out....
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Old 01-09-11, 09:50 PM
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Didn't the late '90's/early '00 Mercedes C Class coupes have these exact same rims?
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Old 01-09-11, 10:04 PM
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It took me 4 hours to reply to this thread, I kept falling asleep looking at the thing.
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Old 01-09-11, 10:07 PM
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Wow, all that hype for nothing. It being called the Passat is so ... underwhelming.

That's a nice looking Jetta, errr I mean Passat. Seriously, this looks almost EXACTLY like a Jetta. Fail on VW's part. Why would people choose this over a Jetta? I actually don't see that many meaningful reasons.

That's a great design for 1995 maybe, but IMHO unacceptable for 2011. It looks clean yes, but not modern personally. Looking clean does not automatically make it look modern. It is inoffensive however, so it should sell. Previous VW models were always inoffensive too though, so it will be interesting to see how much of a sales boost this achieves.

Originally Posted by cl400
I assume it will look better in person just like the Jetta. everyone screamed how boring Jetta when it came out, but surprisingly it looks great in person.

but i wish VW wasn't so lazy. from treg to this.. possibly the worst case of making minime after minime since well.. Audi..
The Corolla S and XRS look pretty good in person too, but funny how nobody on forums seems to talk about that. It seems like it's the "cool" thing these days to like VW designs, no matter how unimaginative and plain they look .
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Old 01-09-11, 11:11 PM
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Thoroughly disappointed with the design of this car and the Jetta. Isn't Walter de'Silva the new chief of design at VW? He's done some amazing work at Audi, but really falls short here.

Are they going after the "poor man's Audi" look or something? Just seems really off and a step backwards for VW.
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Old 01-10-11, 12:51 AM
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Looks very plain and straight for a VW.
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Old 01-10-11, 05:43 AM
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I actually like this new design. Although it's very conservative and risk-free, it manages to look handsome and even elegant. It's not like the current or past Passat generations have been anything exciting in terms of design, IMO.

The cabin does look very high-end, though. I wouldn't mind spending some time in there!
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Old 01-10-11, 06:49 PM
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Nice and clean design, especially compared to other cars out there, but very VERY bland and unexciting. When I first looked at the pics, I thought that was a Jetta.
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