DETROIT AUTO SHOW: 2012 Volkswagen Passat, Is It MORE Than A Bigger Jetta?

DETROIT AUTO SHOW: 2012 Volkswagen Passat, Is It MORE Than A Bigger Jetta?
And you thought after the 2012 Honda Civic Concept that a design couldn't get more conservative. Well, you thought wrong. That's because Volkswagen decided to unveil the NM...er...Passat at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Reading through some other publications has shown that many are billing the new Passat as a Jetta on steroids. Well, I won't go that far just because I haven't had the chance to knock around in the new Passat. While it is readily apparent in the 2011 Jetta that VW made strategic cutbacks in order to drop the base price, I cannot determine that just yet in the all-new Passat.

Judging from what Volkswagen has said the company's strategy would be going forward -- from the 2011 Jetta -- I would expect more of the same though. Essentially, we're seeing Volkswagen "Americanize" its cars.

Note: the new Passat is using motors from other VW models, that's going to create an economy of scale. Another note: VW built its plant in Tennessee for a reason, to shorten its supply chain, which will lower costs across the board while cutting down lead time on deliveries.

After you take all of that in though, take a peek at the car in real life -- those reveal photos were just CGI renderings -- and let us know what you think. Two thumbs UP or two thumbs DOWN?


**Stay tuned to AutoSpies for the BEST coverage of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show


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Agent009Agent009 - 1/11/2011 1:36:35 PM
-1 Boost
I'll have to see this in person. It has lost the "eurolook" that gave the brand definition.


_43LE_43LE - 1/11/2011 1:47:46 PM
+8 Boost
Just go look at a Jetta and pretend it's bigger.


focalfocal - 1/11/2011 2:12:22 PM
-3 Boost
nothing wrong with what they have done....from what it sounds like, they saved a lot of money in building in the US and that money was used to stretch the Jetta chassis and give it a better interior.

I could see myself in a TDI w/ manual transmission and some options...add a "chip" and a coil over suspension and this would be a very nice sleeper car for work commute.




Agent00RAgent00R - 1/11/2011 2:24:47 PM
+1 Boost
@focal

Great points!




NostradamusNostradamus - 1/11/2011 9:14:32 PM
+2 Boost
Agreed - The only thing this is, is even MORE Boring than the new Jetta.


mini22mini22 - 1/11/2011 3:06:07 PM
+3 Boost
While conservative I happen to like the sharper line styling of both this and the Jetta. A couple of positives off the bat. First this car has independent suspension. Second the fake wood seems to look good in the photos. Perhaps it will offset the cheap plastic center console panels I'm sure it's being built with. The 3 engine choices seem class competative as well. If the starting price of 20 grand is true it is going to be very competative.


edeus123edeus123 - 1/11/2011 3:12:22 PM
+4 Boost
Yes, it is a just a bigger Jetta.


MiltonMilton - 1/11/2011 3:25:44 PM
+1 Boost
It looks a lot better than the European Passat actually.


SSP350SSP350 - 1/11/2011 3:55:56 PM
+6 Boost
Looks like a bigger Jetta with Honda Accord headlights.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 1/11/2011 4:13:16 PM
+5 Boost
Should have a big bar code on the hood, this is the most generic car on the market.


PlanBPlanB - 1/11/2011 4:22:09 PM
+7 Boost
Nothing on this car is saying, hey, look at me!!! Its nice but VW went extremely conservative. Incognito in the mall parking lot? Mission accomplished. And yes, it does look like a bigger Jetta.


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/11/2011 6:10:54 PM
0 Boost
That kinda is the point.

I don't know why americans always complain about a vehicle looking "Bland" or "Generic"

Not everyone likes their vehicle to shout "LOOK AT ME", Some of us like our vehicles understated, especially the lower priced vehicles.
Thats why the badge delete option is often requested over here.

Amazing that people still think lashings of Chrome and silly plastic add-ons like you find on Lincolns, Chryslers and pretty much all Yank Mobiles make a vehicle attractive.


BondMI6BondMI6 - 1/11/2011 4:43:38 PM
+7 Boost
This is the new

JETTA XL......


mplsmpls - 1/11/2011 6:09:26 PM
+1 Boost
The Back looks like a simplified BMW 3 series..


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/11/2011 6:14:49 PM
-5 Boost
Same Morons who criticize this vehicle were all praising the Ford Fusion when that was launched.

I know which one of the two vehicles i would purchase.


dbtkdbtk - 1/11/2011 7:00:32 PM
+3 Boost
Taxi drivers in China will be excited.


MBCLS07MBCLS07 - 1/11/2011 7:10:48 PM
+1 Boost
Screams "I couldn't afford the A4 or 3-series". (btw, notice the tail light is the perfect blend of the two)

For those who think of a car as an appliance, this is great. Solid, businesslike, completely devoid of personality. For anyone who considers themselves an auto enthusiast, this doesn't seem much to be enthusiastic about.






85bmw745i85bmw745i - 1/12/2011 11:13:40 AM
0 Boost
Actually the taillights remind me of a SAAB


_43LE_43LE - 1/12/2011 9:28:36 AM
+2 Boost
They're spies TurboSpyder, spies! You should call the gestapo!


JUGNUJUGNU - 1/12/2011 9:12:15 AM
+3 Boost
Very very conservative and generic design almost unacceptable. Wasn't expecting this from VW. I would take current Passat over this.

Also first Jetta and now Passat went downmarket. Actually some variants of new Polo and Vento(Polo Sedan) are competing with some of the cheapest cars in the World in countries like India. And i remember i once had Polo Classic(early 2000) for few weeks and it was a decent car. Much better drive, road grip and felt better built than corolla of that time.
Hope upcoming models don't go the same route like new Golf competing against Yaris and Honda Jazz.

What is happening to VW?

JUGNU


t_bonet_bone - 1/12/2011 9:36:38 AM
+1 Boost
Actually quite nice compared with all the weirdness out there. This would be my pick if I was in this market niche. Good powertrain options too.


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 1/12/2011 11:15:39 AM
+4 Boost
Great interior but please do something about that front end! BOOOORIIIIINNNGGGGG makes a Camry look exciting. the side doesn't look bad. looks tastefull, but the front of this and the jetta have to go. they ruin the rest of the car.


infiniti_G35cinfiniti_G35c - 1/12/2011 12:32:48 PM
-1 Boost
I dont mind the exterior of the car, but isnt the interior pretty much a carry-over from the current Passat? I dont like how VW is sticking with it's boring, souless interior design. The least they could have done to counter-balance the boring (but handsome) exterior is give the car a more adventurous interior.

Guess not. It'll be interesting to see how VW sets up the pricing for this vehicle.


mini22mini22 - 1/12/2011 2:07:56 PM
+2 Boost
The interior certainly is similar to the current Passat but it also looks a little more up market. Further this is larger car then the current Passat. At 191 inches long it is maybe 4 inches shorter then an Accord,2 inches shorter then a Mazda 6,about the same size a an Altima and Camry,Maxima,Sonata and Optima. It is a little bit larger then a Fusion,Avenger or 200. So it has been resized for the American family sedan market and priced accordingly.The people that buy this kind of vehicle are not looking for radical styling. They really just want a resonably sized,decent quality based,comfortable car to drive.Assuming VW can keep up with reliability and service it should have a hit on it's hands. The price is certainly right. I'm guessing even with IRS the car is going to be softly tuned that famous American highway ride.


DallasTheoDallasTheo - 1/12/2011 6:48:37 PM
+1 Boost
Good design, but we've seen much the same thing from VW for years now. Brand identity and styling consistency is a good thing, but each product should have a bit of unique flair to uniquely position it. Sadly, I have to agree--a larger Jetta--with nothing to truly differentiate it. That strategy may be a good one short-term, but soon VW will have to add some excitement.


dr1v3rdr1v3r - 1/13/2011 12:25:10 PM
+1 Boost
This site should be called AutoHaters. A fully loaded Passat 3.6 VR6 for $30K is going to be a superb value and will out perform any of the pretenders mentioned as competition Accord, Camry, Altima, Mazda 6 fill in the blank. Is it an M3 or RS4? No but it cost 70% less. Give them a break it looks great I think.


infiniti_G35cinfiniti_G35c - 1/14/2011 2:16:56 PM
0 Boost
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What one may think is nice, another may find appaling. Plus, if we didnt have a bunch of haters, this site would be boring.
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