Chinese Market 2015 VW Passat B8 Caught Unclothed

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

For European and Chinese customers awaiting the 2015 Volkswagen Passat B8, the following spy photos should hold them until the sedan’s debut at the 2014 Paris Auto Show in October.

CarNewsChina reports the Chinese model in the photos will have a wheelbase 10 centimeters longer than the European version, but both will otherwise be identical. The MQB-based sedan in Europe will see power from an assortment of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, as well as a rumored V6 pushing over 300 horsepower under the hood of a high-performance model.

Meanwhile, the longer Chinese version — to be produced by the FAW-VW joint venture as the Magotan — will make its debut the following April during the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show, and will only come with gasoline powerplants due to cities prohibiting diesel fuel use in passenger vehicles. Local consumers should expect to pay anywhere from 200,000 yuan to 350,000 yuan ($32,000 – $56,000 USD) once the B8 arrives in dealer showrooms; no word on what Europeans will pay for their B8.



Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Thegamper Thegamper on May 01, 2014

    I recall a time when VW made slightly quirky but unique and interesting designs and had interiors that topped your average camcord by a long shot. I have to say, just about all of VW's current designs are totally uninspiring, perhaps even going so far as to say that VW has the blandest design in the US auto market. I still like a few of their vehicles, but by and large most of the cars they make are forgettable. Its a shame.

    • FormerFF FormerFF on May 01, 2014

      Seriously, VW, what's with the bland styling? The new Jetta and this car look like a late 80's design at best.

  • Arun Arun on May 01, 2014

    I love my VW and I have to say - what is so different about this when compared to every other VW out there? Sure there is some different sheetmetal - and this is a redesign according to VW?! Sheesh!

    • See 2 previous
    • Th009 Th009 on May 02, 2014

      @vbofw The current European Passat is not MQB-based, it's a facelift of the B6 model (as previously sold in the US as well) and still carries the same 3C type designation. If this is MQB-based (and it should be) then it's a full redesign, in spite of conservative styling.

  • GrumpyOldMan All modern road vehicles have tachometers in RPM X 1000. I've often wondered if that is a nanny-state regulation to prevent drivers from confusing it with the speedometer. If so, the Ford retro gauges would appear to be illegal.
  • Theflyersfan Matthew...read my mind. Those old Probe digital gauges were the best 80s digital gauges out there! (Maybe the first C4 Corvettes would match it...and then the strange Subaru XT ones - OK, the 80s had some interesting digital clusters!) I understand the "why simulate real gauges instead of installing real ones?" argument and it makes sense. On the other hand, with the total onslaught of driver's aid and information now, these screens make sense as all of that info isn't crammed into a small digital cluster between the speedo and tach. If only automakers found a way to get over the fallen over Monolith stuck on the dash design motif. Ultra low effort there guys. And I would have loved to have seen a retro-Mustang, especially Fox body, have an engine that could rev out to 8,000 rpms! You'd likely be picking out metal fragments from pretty much everywhere all weekend long.
  • Analoggrotto What the hell kind of news is this?
  • MaintenanceCosts Also reminiscent of the S197 cluster.I'd rather have some original new designs than retro ones, though.
  • Fahrvergnugen That is SO lame. Now if they were willing to split the upmarketing price, different story.
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