Volkswagen has unveiled the eighth-generation Passat, which will officially premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.
The eighth-generation Volkswagen Passat won't officially premiere until the Paris Motor Show in October, but that hasn't stopped the German carmaker providing fans with a sneak preview this week.
At a special ceremony in Potsdam, home to the Volkswagen Design Centre, it showcased both the Saloon and Estate trims of the upcoming vehicle.
The two cars bring both incremental and major improvements to the 41-year-old brand, refreshing the Passat's design and technology in a bid to build on a tally of over 20 million worldwide sales to date.
Environmentally-conscious motorists have much to be happy about, with the car's fuel efficiency improved by around 20 per cent in the new models thanks to an 85 kg reduction in unladen weight. What's more, Volkswagen will for the first time be putting a plug-in hybrid version on the market, upping the Passat's profile in this growing segment.
Compared with the last-generation model, the new Passat is shorter and lower, with slightly smaller interior dimensions. Nonetheless, Volkswagen assures customers the actual cabin space is much improved, with both legroom and headroom getting a major boost. Buyers will also benefit from more room for luggage – something paramount in a large family car.
All trims will come with LED rear lights, with an option of either halogen or LED lamps at the front of the vehicle. The new Passat also offers Dynamic Light Assist, which automatically adjusts headlamp brightness and angle to ensure dark roads are illuminated without the car dazzling other drivers.
On the safety front, customers will have a range of advanced technologies at their disposal. These include Emergency Assist, which is capable of stopping the vehicle when the driver is incapacitated, and the latest Front Assist system with City Emergency Braking, which combines radar and camera sensors to detect pedestrians and prevent collisions.
The eighth-generation Passat should start shipping to UK customers by the end of the year, so would-be buyers are advised to keep their eyes peeled for new Volkswagen deals from October onwards.