Volkswagen teases the 2015 Passat

After revealing that the 2015 Passat will be globally unveiled at an online event on July 3, Volkswagen has now released a teaser image of the car. Internally called B8, the eighth-generation sedan in the picture is covered in drapes giving us a glimpse of the LED DRLs, which glow through the sheet. 

Besides the DRLs, the image also previews the Passat’s contoured bonnet, front grille and flared wheel arches.  The Passat ditches its characteristic conservative styling to adopt an aggressive stance and a coupe-like roofline. The front fascia resembles the Golf and the T-Roc concept with its narrow grille and the slats which infiltrate the headlamp assembly. 

The 2015 Passat has been put through a diet and has lost around 85kgs compared to the seventh-generation car. The new platform makes extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminium, which will help return 20 per cent better efficiency figures. For its global markets, Volkswagen has included a new a new engine in the Passat’s line-up - a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel unit which churns out 237bhp and 500Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to a seven-speed gearbox which will send power to all four wheels through the 4MOTION system. 

As shown in the teaser, the new Passat will also get new DRLs with 32 LEDs in a U pattern and an automatically adjustable beam. Despite being smaller than the previous car, the new Passat will be more spacious inside. It will be equipped with a host of latest technology including driver assist systems and safety features. The centre console will house the ‘Virtual Cockpit’ with a 12.3-inch fully configurable display from the Audi TT, which was first showcased at the 2014 CES.

After its online unveil, the 2015 Passat will make its first public appearance at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, in October. It will go on sale in India a few months after its European launch and is expected to be priced in the Rs 22 lakh to Rs 27 lakh price range. The current Passat has failed to make a mark in the Indian market due to the wide range of cars which are available in its price bracket. Last month, Volkswagen sold just seven units of the Passat and to improve these numbers, the German manufacturer will have to improve localisation of the car and offer it with a more competitive price tag.