After announcing the start of production of its new Passat sedan at its Aurangabad facility, Volkswagen has now confirmed that its luxury sedan will launch in India on October 10, 2017. The eighth-generation Passat’s coming to India will mark the model’s relaunch after the previous-gen was discontinued in 2014.
Powering the Passat is Volkswagen's 177hp, 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine paired with a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
The upcoming Passat is based on the Volkswagen Group's versatile MQB platform that also underpins a variety of models such as the VW Tiguan, the Skoda Octavia, Kodiaq and Superb. It is likely to be priced around Rs 30 lakh.
Compared to the older model, the new MQB-based Passat boasts a wheelbase that is 80mm longer at 2,791mm, indicating more space on the inside. The new model is also 13mm less in length (4,767mm), 12mm wider (1,832mm) and 13mm shorter (1,456mm) than the previous-gen model.
Key rivals to the Volkswagen Passat include the Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.
Also read our review of the eighth-generation Passat.