China's New Volkswagen Passat Could Preview Upcoming U.S. Model
Volkswagen’s Passat has long been the choice for Euro-fetishists who believe themselves too good to purchase a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. That decision was easier to make in 2012, when VW moved 117,023 of them in the United States, diesel cars were still tolerated, and Japan had basically given up on styling its vehicles. But things are different now.
Diesel might as well be a four-letter word when not affixed to trucks and Japan’s automakers have gone mental with their newer designs. Volkswagen only sold 60,700 Passats in the U.S. last year. The automaker needs to work some real magic if it hopes to bring that number up in the years to come. While Europeans get ready to wrap their paws around an MQB-based Passat, Americans remain stuck with an older platform shared with China, South Korea, and the Middle East.
Fortunately, it looks like VW has been hard at work in Asia, delivering a sharp new sedan for the Chinese market that it might share with the U.S. next year.
Incorporating elements from both the new Jetta and Arteon, China’s Passat still carries a familiar face. However, it’s longer and sleeker than what we’re accustomed to when viewed side-on. Roughly 3 inches longer than the European Passat, according to VWvortex, the Chinese model was likely tweaked to better accommodate rear-seat passengers — you know, because everyone in China is so tall.
While a bigger back door sounds like just the thing for Americans, history tells us that stretched Chinese models typically don’t make it here. Still, the sedan should maintain the faux fastback styling (it has a normal trunk) and same overall appearance when the MQB finally hits the shores of freedom. We would also wager that the upcoming European refresh will adopt the Chinese styling.
[Images: Volkswagen]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Admittedly I'm a VW fan but holy crap this is a beautiful car.
I like it. When the lease is over on my 17 Jetta I'll take a hard look at whatever Passat they have in the US market. I've been doing 7500 mile oil changes on the 1.4t, even though it's leased and VW says 10k intervals are fine, I just can't bring myself to do it...partially because it makes me uncomfortable, partially because IF I happen to buy it at the end of the lease, I'll feel better about keeping it in the fleet.