The new Passat is “Car of the Year 2015”

The new Volkswagen Passat won the prestigious Europe's “Car of the Year”award, which is presented every year by the international “Car of the Year” jury. The winner was announced on the afternoon before the Geneva International Motor Show. The new Passat, in all its versions, is one of the most successful mid-class cars in the world and with 1.1 million units (in 2014) one of the highest-volume series of the Volkswagen Group worldwide. Now in its 8th generation, the best-seller is regarded as one of the most innovative cars in its class. Thanks to advanced engineering methods, it was possible to introduce a significantly more dynamic design.

OneShift Editorial Team

04 Mar 2015

Despite the unaltered length in the interior dimensions, the new Passat has still expanded considerably. At the same time the latest technologies have been added: they include systems such as Active Info Display (a completely digital instrument cluster), extendable head-up display, and also systems such as an app-based Rear Seat Entertainment for tablets, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring as well as three further global firsts: Emergency Assist (vehicle stops in emergency), Trailer Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The new Passat is available with 10 direct injection turbocharged petrol and diesel engines which cover a power range from 88 kW / 120 PS to 206 kW / 280 PS.

The Passat GTE, the first Passat to feature a plug-in hybrid drive, will start arriving at dealerships beginning in late summer of this year. The 1.4-litre TSI engine develops a power of 115 kW / 156 PS; the electric motor produces 85 kW / 115 PS, while the maximum torque of the plug-in hybrid drive system is 400 Nm. Its power and torque are utilized in an extremely eco-friendly and efficient way. The car's NEDC fuel consumption, for hybrid vehicles, is less than 2.0 l/100 km and 13.0 kWh/100 km; these values equate to CO2 emissions of less than 45 g/km. In combination with the TSI, this results in a driving range of over 1,000 kilometers with a full 50-litre tank and fully charged battery.

Credits: Oneshift News Team