2015 Volkswagen Passat previewed - It looks much better than ever

The All-New 2015 Volkswgen Passat B9 is 2mm shorter than the outgoing one at 4767mm (wheelbase is an impressive 79mm longer at 2791mm), 12mm wider at 1832mm and 6mm lower at 1456mm. Like most new cars these days it is no longer heavier than the outgoing model but up to 85kg lighter with the base models coming in at 1312kg which is very impressive for a full sized sedan.

Technical details include lighter (by 9kg) suspension running MacPherson struts and multi-link at the rear with wider tracks front and rear – up 31mm up front to 1584mm and 14mm at the rear to 1568mm. Engine at launch are as follows:

• 1.4 TSI with 125 PS (92 kW) and 150 PS (110 kW)
• 1.8 TSI with 180 PS (132 kW)
• 2.0 TSI with 220 PS (162 kW) and 280 PS (206 kW)
• 1.6 TDI with 120 PS (88 kW)
• 2.0 TDI with 150 PS (110 kW), 190 PS (140 kW) and 240 PS (176 kW)
• 1.4 TSI plug-in hybrid with 211 PS (155 kW)

All should either be coupled with a 6 speed manual or the 7 speed DSG transmissions. Malaysia would get the DSG only as most of us do not like to do the shifting by ourselves. We should be getting the usual 1.8TSI but I think that the 1.4TSI hybrid could be eventually brought into Malaysia to capitalize on the lower taxes that Efficient Vehicle program that the Malaysian Government is promoting.

Aside from the engines, the all-new Passat would get LED headlights featuring Dynamic Light Assist that can automatically adjust the high beam without disturbing incoming traffic. Higher spec variants get a screen display instead of analouge instruments. Everything is displayed on a 12.3 inch TFT screen. There is also a Heads Up Display on a separate glass panel on the top of the dashboard that projects the information to the driver. Other usual goodies include Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert, Traffic Jam Assist, City Emergency Braking, Trailer Assist, Emergency Assist and a revised 360-degree Area View function.

So what are my thoughts about this large sized sedan and wagon? Nothing much. It has grown up slightly in most dimensions but it is lighter and therefore more efficient. There are more usual technical upgrades to the lights and other items. The new Passat is also better looking – the extra width makes it look grander than befor. It looks more upmarket than before and the inside looks more luxurious and wouldn't look out of place in an Audi A6. And what I can say is that the next Audi A6 (same category of car but more premium) will be an even more impressive car just by looking at this Passat. Hey, this IS a Volkswagen you know. There is Audi right above it.

Oh, I do hope that one day they also produce this with a normal torque convertor transmission unit for people who want ultimate smoothness in gear shifts over all out efficiency. It would also make the car even more refined as well as slightly less worrying to maintain - a DSG could be flaky at times.

But those who do not care about badges, would find this just fine.