New Volkswagen Passat Scheduled for India Launch in January 2017

The German auto-major is gearing up to launch its luxury sedan, Volkswagen Passat once again in the India under the eighth generation moniker. This new Passat is expected to enter the Indian market sometime in January next year. The test mule of the car has already been spotted testing several times around the country with minimal camouflage checking the feasibility of the car on the Indian roads.

You can also read: Can We Expect A Comeback of The VW Passat in India!

This eighth generation VW Passat has already been on sale in the global market since 2014, around the same time the previous generation Passat was discontinued from the Indian lineup due to not achieving targeted sales.

The new Passat will be a bit smaller than its old generation, though it features increased cabin space, thanks to the MQB platform which further extended its wheelbase.
Initially, VW will offer new Passat with only a petrol engine option, and more likely it will get the 180 hp 1.8-litre TSI motor beneath the front end which has also featured in VW group’s Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb. The engine will be mated to a seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

However, a 2.0-litre diesel engine option is also on the papers and can be introduced at a later date. But this does not end here, if the new Passat manages to receive a good response, VW can also launch a plug-in hybrid Passat GTE version to cater to the soon-to-be-launched Honda Accord Hybrid. As the trend of alternative-fuel cars is growing swiftly, Passat GTE would be a good move from the German carmaker. The 2016 VW Passat GTE debuted in India at this year’s Auto Expo in Delhi. In the event, it features some unique identities which separate it from the regular model, such as the blue accents on the grille, revised front bumper, C-shaped LED headlights and the new alloy wheels.

VW will be battling out the new Passant against the likes of Skoda Superb and Toyota Camry. We can expect a price tag for the new Passat of around INR 27 Lakh for the Indian market.
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