What It Is:
Designed to look “much more expensive than it actually is,” the 2012 Volkswagen Passat is a critical piece of the German automaker’s ambitious plan to sell three times more vehicles to Americans by the end of the decade. To that end, Volkswagen has overhauled its styling in favor of a more conservative approach and the new Passat is actually designed and engineered specifically for North American buyers. Big inside and out, the 2012 Passat is a true mid-size family sedan.
What’s New for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat:
- Made in Tennessee – Designed and engineered in Germany specifically for Americans, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat is built in a brand-new manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., what VW calls “the world’s newest, most advanced, and environmentally responsible auto assembly plant.” The plant is capable of churning out 150,000 Passats annually, which gives you an idea of how many of these sedans Volkswagen wants to sell in the U.S.
- Base Price Around $20,000 – When the redesigned 2012 Passat goes on sale in the summer of 2011, the midsize sedan will wear a window sticker that starts around $20,000 and boast “best in class” rear seat legroom. Trim levels include S, SE, and SEL. Base S models come standard with power windows, power door locks, cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free communication, an automatic climate control system, and an outside temperature display with frost warning indicator. The driver’s seat offers eight-way manual adjustment to ensure comfort and proper positioning behind the steering wheel. Safety equipment includes six airbags, stability control, ABS with braking assist, and a hill-climb assist feature for models with a manual gearbox.
- Options Goodies – Depending on trim level and powertrain, the 2012 Passat can be outfitted with several upscale features. Leather, navigation, power front seats, keyless access with pushbutton ignition, and wood trim can be ordered to dress up the inside, while alloy wheels measuring 17- or 18-inches in diameter and front fog lights are available on the outside. Audiophiles will want to take note of the top audio system, designed exclusively for Volkswagen by guitar manufacturer Fender.
- Familiar Standard Engine – The standard engine under the 2012 Passat’s hood is VW’s familiar 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine with 170 grumbling horsepower. Given that the Passat is a bigger car than before and that the previous model included Volkswagen’s excellent little 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as standard equipment, this represents a step backward. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic optional.
- Turbo-diesel Model Gets 43 MPG – Our inclination would be to upgrade to the Passat TDI model for its 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. Its 140 horsepower might not sound terribly impressive, but this little engine whips up 236 pound-feet of torque distributed across a broad rev range, which should make the car feel quite lively. Better yet, VW estimates that the Passat TDI will get 43 mpg on the highway and achieve a maximum range of 800 miles, all while meeting emissions standards in all 50 states. Transmission choices include the five-speed manual or a six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) dual-clutch automated manual.
- VR6 Engine Returns to Passat – For maximum power, buyers may wish to equip their 2012 Passat with the optional 3.6-liter narrow-angle V6 engine, known as the VR6. Though it makes a healthy 280 horsepower, it is expected to get 28 mpg on the highway. The DSG transmission is the only choice with the V6 engine.
- Intelligent Crash Response System – Volkswagen has been making sure consumers know that its cars are equipped with what it calls an Intelligent Crash Response System, which automatically activates in the event of an accident. The fuel pump and high-consumption electronics shut down, the battery cable disconnects, the doors unlock, and the hazards flash. This is not new to the car industry; many models have offered a similar feature for years. It’s about time Volkswagen offered something like this.
- Carefree Maintenance is Standard – Every new VW Passat will include free scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership. Increasingly popular as a selling tool, Volkswagen needs to include this if it wants to meet its sales targets.
The Vehix View:
Volkswagen is making a huge bet with the new 2012 Passat. It enters a segment saturated with great cars, with a name that’s always been floating around on the fringes. Plus, buyers of mid-size family sedans value affordability combined with reliability, and Volkswagen has been known for neither of these things. Add to this the potential for alienating VW loyalists with a product that may prove watered down in terms of fun-to-drive factor and perceived quality, and this plan could backfire on the company, big time. But since we’re big fans of Vee-Dubs, we’re hoping for the best.
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