What’s the deal?
Volkswagen has unveiled its flagship sedan, the B8 Passat today. Replacing the B7 sedan, the new Passat is locally assembled in the company’s manufacturing facility in Pekan.
3 flavours are available, comprising 2 types of direct-injection turbocharged engines. The base Trendline is powered by a 1.8-litre TSI, together with the Comfortline that sits in the mid-range. Topping the range is the Highline, powered by a 2.0-litre TSI unit.
Volkswagen Passat B8
Engine: Trendline and Comfortline: 1.8-litre TSI; Highline: 2.0-litre TSI
Power: Trendline and Comfortline: 177hp; Highline: 217hp
Torque: Trendline and Comfortline: 250Nm; Highline: 350Nm
Zerotohundred: n/a
Transmissions: Trendline and Comfortline: 7-speed DSG (dry clutch); Highline: 7-speed DSG (wet clutch)
Dimensions: 4,767mm (L), 1,832mm (W), 1,456mm (H)
Price: Trendline: RM160,937; Comfortline: RM180,937; Highline: RM200,030
Exterior
Dimension wise, the 8<sup>th</sup> generation Passat is 2mm shorter, 12mm wider and 14mm lower compared to its predecessor. Built on VW’s versatile MQB platform, the new Passat is also 90kg lighter over the outgoing one.
The widened and lowered overall exterior gives the Passat a sportier and more dynamic stance. Despite being shorter in overall length, its wheelbase is extended by 79mm, thus giving a larger cabin and shorter overhangs. Bootspace is at 586 litres, which is 21 litres more than the B7 Passat.
The new B8 Passat is available in 7 colours – Pure White, Deep Black, Reflex Silver, Indium Grey, Crimson Red, Black Oak Brown and Harvard Blue.
Trendline
- 16-inch ‘Aragon’ alloys
- Front and rear fog lights
- LED tail lights
- 17-inch ‘Istanbul’ alloys
- 215/55 ContiPremiumContact 5 tyres
- Full LED headlights with DRLs
- 18-inch ‘Dartford’ alloys
- 235/45 ContiSportContact 5 tyres
- 380 TSI badging – indicating the rough amount of torque produced
- Twin integrated chrome exhaust outlets
Trendline
- Seats – manual with adjustable lumbar supports
- Composition colour 5-inch touchscreen
- Colour multi-info display
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Push start button
- Heated electric foldable wing mirrors
- Front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC)
- Climatronic 3-zone air-cond
- Push start button with ‘KESSY’ keyless entry
- ‘Vienna’ leather seats
- 12-way adjustable driver’s seat with memory and massage
- Composition colour 6.5-inch touchscreen
- Park Assist with reverse camera
- Steering paddle-shifters
- Powered boot
- Rear screen blind
- Active Info Display virtual cockpit
- Ambient lighting
- ‘Carolina’ wood trim
- Lane Assist
- Discover colour 6.5-inch touchscreen with MirrorLink and navigation
Two engine choices are available, 1.8-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TSI. The former is powering the Trendline and Comfortline variants, while the other powers the range topper Highline. The 1.8-litre unit is good for 177hp and 250Nm of torque and the 2.0-litre mill produces 217hp and 350Nm of torque.
Safety
The new B8 Passat gets standard safety equipment across the variants, consisting of 6 airbags, a Driver Alert System, ABS with Brake Assist, ESC, anti-skid regulation, hill-hold control and ISOFIX tethers. The Lane Assist function is exclusively equipped on the Highline.
VPCM announced that cars registered before the end of the year will be entitled to a 5-year free service programme.