Launch of new 300 hp VW Passat coupe

Seriously Now...

Why is that designers refuse to do the sensible thing and make these 'fast back' sedans hatchbacks?

Just look at that profile?

The ONLY thing stopping it from being a 5-Door is the placement of the boot-hinge below the back window as opposed to above it.

It is in America.

seems to me like the lexus gs started the "fastback" movement

Seems to me like the Volvo S60 did.

so the vw gets 300hp and the audi a4 gets 265?

Yes, that is the case. Despite the fact that VW owns Audi, what most people don't seem to realize is that they are run individually. There is some limited sharing of technology, but the vast majority of hardware and software is separate. How do I know? I've worked as an engineer for VW and Audi.

If VW decides to offer a 300hp V6 that doesn't automatically mean that Audi's have been "shorted". You would be really surprised to see how little crosstalk there is between the two companies engineering divisions.

Also, there is little cross shopping between Audi and VW in the marketplace. The Passat is a car for someone who is not badge conscious but like the German engineering feel. Audi offers the same benefits, but you get the prestige badge as well. A serious Audi buyer is unlikely to switch to a Passat for an extra 35hp...

That said, the A4 has a couple of models that will be well above the 300hp range, while the Passat will not see anything higher than 300hp. The next generation Audi S4 will drop the 4.2L V8 and adopt a twin-turbo V6, power is expected to be in the 350hp area. This new S4 will be positioned directly to compete with the BMW 335, while the RS4 takes on the M3.

Will that 3.0TT in the works be fitted to the standard A4 (de-tuned) or A6 at all?

The next S4 will have a supercharged 3.0, mark my words.

AutoEng, I'm a serious Audi guy (leased A6) and I would switch for the extra power just to get away from Audi's 90-degree V6 engine configuration. (90 degrees for a V6 equals "inherently out of balance"). I do like the fact that the A6 Quattro uses a Torsen center differential and that the A6 engine is not transversely mounted.

@S4

As far as I have heard, the twinturbo V6 will go the S4 only. There may be possibility of seeing it in A6 as well, but so far that is speculation. If anything it might show up in a TT/Q5 or something else Audi has up its sleeve.

@EnnNorak

You are right in saying that 60 degree V6 is inherently smooth. I'm not sure but I believe the reason we chose to have a 90 degree V6 was to save on cost. If I remember correctly the V6 is built in series with the 90 degree 4.2L V8 on the same production lines. It was designed such that Audi could save on the cost of all new 60 degree components and manufacturing facility.

The longitudinal mount engine and drive train is part of the design of the A6/Q7/A8 class of chassis. This longitudinal engine mount package is part of Audi's premium chassis requirements. The next generation chassis will have similar longitudinal setup. This is in contrast to the VW chassis that are transverse engine mount.

The people who say Audi's are rebadged VW's have no clue what they are talking about. From the chassis, up most models don't share anything significant at all. :P

Because the fear is that hatchbacks don't sell in the luxury sedan market.I wonder about the Porsche Panamera styling in that vain. It is clearly a hatchback.

Wll there is the S4 & the 3.0 TDI

This looks like a Chrysler Sebring.

The rear of the car from the side angle does resemble a sebring.

It isn't. Look at the auto show pictures. It's gorgeous.

Corrective steer control sounds an awful lot like that system Lexus had on the LS - did Honda have it too?

Still no comment on whether this is a FWD platform or not.

Obviously yes, it's based off a Passat.
The 3.6 300hp version is AWD though.

I know. Such a shame. Was hoping this would be based on a new platform. AWD is nice, however VW AWD is unfortunatly front biased.

saw it at the auto show. Front end is ALLL honda accord coupe, back lights are just plain baddd. Looks like they rushed this and I think it will go the way of the Phaeton personally.

Is that a misprint? Looks like a rakish sedan to me....seriously...no one needed to copy the CLS...decent design by VW, but no need to call it a coupe.

This is getting out of hand. Automakers are fusing car-types together not to be innovative, but to give the consumer the freedom of stereo types:

"Oh I dont drive a hatch, its a sedan!"
"It's not a dull family sedan, its a sporty coupe!"
"It's not a minivan, its an R-class!"
"It's not an all wheel drive camry, its a Lexus RX!"

Seriously.

To me, the only problem with the styling is the VW FWD layout where the front axle is too close to the front doors. I wish they could have used the A5 chassis(which is the new A4 chassis) for this car and then the side profile would resemble a RWD auto. The front axle would be pushed forward, closer to the front bumper.
Otherwise, the car looks pretty sharp to me.

Looks like a honda civic and a chrysler sebring had a child, at least in profile.

Images of the Acura 3.5 RL have just popped up in my head.

.....and we all know about the Acura RL.....

LOL! As I was scrolling down to make a comment that the side-profile reminded me of the Acura RL - BAM - the last comment does that for me.