Volkswagen has begun testing the new eight-gen Passat in India in preparation of its launch. The company is expected to equip the incoming car with a diesel and a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain as well.
The petrol-electric hybrid Passat, unlike the popular Camry hybrid, is set to be a plug-in hybrid badged the Passat GTE. This model will allow the automaker to tap into the recent interest for alternatively fueled cars. The model spotted testing though, was a diesel version, which will use the automaker’s new EA288, 2.0-litre unit, which also features in the Skoda Octavia and Audi A3.
The test mule seen in the images wore no camouflage with even the badges visible on the boot. Volkswagen revealed the new Passat back in 2014, along with discontinuing the old model in India as well. Based on the MQB platform, the new model is marginally smaller than its predecessor, though VW says cabin space has increased. We drove the new Passat on international roads back in 2014 and found it to be spacious, well equipped and quite capable.
While Volkswagen plans to import the Passat GTE in limited numbers to test the model’s feasibility with India’s infrastructure, the diesel model will be the mainstay of the line-up. Prices are expected to be around the Rs 30-lakh mark (ex-showroom).
Suraj Viswanathan
Lenny D'sa
Dipan Sur
Saptarshi Mondal
Uday Singh
