Volkswagen Passat Launched At INR 29.99 Lakh

by Mahesh Yadav on Monday, Oct 16 2017

Volkswagen India has launched the next generation of the Passat priced at Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Available in two variants- Comfortline and Highline, the 2017 VW Passat shares its underpinnings with the Skoda Superb. First unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the Volkswagen Passat has taken nearly three years to come to India. The automaker had discontinued the Passat in the country in 2013 because of low sales rate.

Speaking at the launch, Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are extremely pleased to launch the technologically advanced New Passat in India offering our customers a carline that is equipped with superior safety features and driving dynamics that the brand Volkswagen is known to offer across the industry. The Passat is renowned world over for its sheer performance, iconic style & rich heritage. With the launch of the Passat we will now have a portfolio with remarkable carlines across leading vehicle segments in the country.”

The VW Passat is based on the same MQB platform as the Tiguan and gets a sharper design language as compared to the discontinued model. However, the eight generation VW Passat looks better in terms of proportion than the previous generation Passat. A wide triple-slat grille, LED headlamps with signature DRLs and dynamic Light Assist feature along with horizontal lines on the body and angular shape are the exterior highlights offered with the sedan while the rear gets the up level LED taillights that change their graphics from horizontal to vertical when the driver applies the brakes.

At the interior, the cabin offers a 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument cluster seen with the Audi TT along with the touchscreen infotainment system on the centre console with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features include new Park Assist, Head Up Display (HUD) unit, and a host of new safety features on board such as 9 Airbags, a 360-degree camera display, ESP, ABS, ASR, Hill Start Assist, Auto hold and tire pressure monitoring system as standard. However, the range-topping Highline trim also adds hands-free tailgate operation, electrically adjustable front seats, all-leather upholstery, hands-free parking and more. Up to 70kgs lighter and 2mm shorter than its predecessor, the 2017 VW Passat although gets a 79 mm longer wheelbase. The new model is also 12 mm wider and 14 mm lower than the previous model with an increased boot capacity by 26 litres to 586 litres.

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The power to the sedan comes from the 2-litre TDI four-cylinder diesel engine capable of producing 174 bhp, while paired to a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission. However, there's no manual transmission on offer. The ARAI certified fuel efficiency returned by the 2017 VW Passat is 17.42 kmpl. There were reports of VW offering a plug-in hybrid version of the Passat but due to the current taxation structure in the country, Volkswagen did not bring in the plug-in hybrid version of the Passat now but will surely introduce the same later.

VW is also offering special financing options through Volkswagen Financial Services with a starting EMI of Rs 29,990 per month. Also, for the bookings made in 2017, it comes with 2+2 warranty and 4 years of roadside assistance as complementary. The all-new Volkswagen Passat will take against the likes of cars including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord as well as the Skoda Superb.