The spies on the 'Ring caught another glimpse of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat test mule. Although wearing the skin of the current Passat, we are able to glean a few details of the upcoming big seller.
With the elongated body we can expect to see more cabin room inside the new Passat, but not just legroom for the rear passengers. Wider fenders indicate the possibility of a little more elbow space as well. The spy believes Volkswagen will make more use of lightweight materials this time around, meaning the bigger body may not translate into more weight. We hope that a bigger model is not the only change to the exterior styling, and that VW makes the new Passat more bold and less dull.
Several rumors abound about engine choices for the car. Many expect a 3.0-liter V6 petrol model producing 280 horsepower, but some expect to see a large diesel version that produces about 300 hp, while a hybrid edition using the 3.0-L V6 could also be on the horizon.
Look for the 4Motion all-wheel-drive to be available for this Passat, as well as the eight-speed DSG transmission. Automatic parking, parking cameras, airless tires, and windshield cleaning sans wipers. Another rumor going around is the use of magnetic, low-voltage paint that allows the driver to change color by adjusting the current.
Next Gen VW Passat Mule Spied again at Nurburgring
CarPix / VW Passat test mule prototype spy photo at Nurburgring
By Zack Newmark
June 1, 2009 6:20 PM
Filed Under: German, Nürburgring, Spy Photos, Volkswagen
Comments
jandrews90
June 1, 2009 7:20 PM
First of all, no way that paint is going to happen, secondly, wouldn't it just become illegal? What if cops are looking for the car? It would be ALOT harder, and i know that may be good for all of us lol but i can't see it ever happening.
porschecarreragtmay6
June 2, 2009 3:12 AM
First of all, don't be ignorant. OF COURSE they won't use that paint color on the production model. They just paint it an illussional black to hide details.
N20_Purge
June 1, 2009 7:39 PM
The colour thing would just be an epic fail. I mean if a criminal has stolen one of these, they remove the number plate and change the colour, then the bad guys will score. Not gonna happen Vdub....
But I do like the powerful engines. Car size is a tad too large, but still OK.
SebXX
June 1, 2009 7:53 PM
This is getting ridiculous, they should be able to improve the design without lengthening.
Edited by user on June 1, 2009 at 7:55 PM
nederina
June 1, 2009 8:35 PM
more a 5-serious rival now? i got a feeling that it might based on the current A6 which is a stretched passat chassis.. which is a stretched golf chassis. hmm
nathandavid88
June 1, 2009 9:22 PM
Sorry, but the Audi A4, A5 and A6 are based on a special Audi-only platform not shared with the Passat or Golf.
Want proof? The Passat uses an east-west positioned engine, the Audis listed all use north-south positioned engines
tsiebrand
June 2, 2009 11:50 AM
The interior of this mule is definitely not the Passat interior, looks more like the Golf VI.
HEMI426
June 2, 2009 12:55 PM
Many expect a 3.0-liter V6 petrol model producing 280 horsepower, but some expect to see a large diesel version that produces about 300 hp, and some expect no V6 at all, because it doesn't sell good. It would be good to see the passat based on the a4, a shorter front overhang, the engine placed lenghtwise rather than withwise. Perhaps vw thinks that it makes their cars too sporty, but the could still give it soft suspetion than.
And what about the phaeton? Is it still comming and based an the a6? If that's a YES, than why should vw make this car even bigger than it is? Make it lighter, not bigger. Just juse the a4 platform with softer suspention, and keep that v6 fsi 3.2 or 3.6 in the lineup!
ve
June 3, 2009 3:36 AM
Good to see speculation,would-be car designers and armchair engineers are alive and well !! I've observed constant complaints that VW Passat/Audi A4/A6 dont offer up ample rear passenger leg room so perhaps this is being addressed for future models ? Probably the biggest joke is the BMW 3 Series which almost ignore the need for rear passenger leg room yet we get bombarded with constant diatribe from journo's and BMW is what totally brilliant cars these are (at a price I add)and purported to be what every passenger car should aspire to. Yeah right !
Add Comment
[cancel]
