2012 Volkswagen Passat Debuts for North America

[AutoGuide.com]

The long awaited 2012 Volkswagen Passat has finally been revealed, looking very much like the recently released 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, sporting the same corporate face and profile in a larger package.

Built at VW’s new Tennesse facility, the Passat’s 191 inches length makes the car larger than a Toyota Camry by 2 inches, a radical departure from the more compact Passats of yesteryear.

Trim levels S, SE and SEL will be offered, with power coming from the corporate 2.5L 5-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower, the 2.0L TDI diesel making 140 horsepower and Volkswagen’s beloved VR6 engine, producing 280 horsepower. The VR6 (and, we presume, the TDI) will come with a DSG dual clutch gearbox, allowing it to run to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds while returning 28 mpg on the highway.

Starting at under $20,000, the Passat is aiming to break out of its niche as a quirky European alternative and finally be taken seriously as a Tier 1 mid-size sedan. The car may have never sold in big numbers, but its superlative interior, interesting powertrains and European street cred were always respected. Hopefully VWs attempt to bring the car hasn’t come at the expense of character.

Get more 2012 Volkswagen Passat World Premiere on AutoGuide.com

[Pushing Fifty]

Odd. I thought the Passat was done in the US market and its replacement was to be the NMS sedan from Chattanooga. Or IS this the new Midsize Sedan? I'll reserve judgment until I see one in person, but the 2012 Passat looks like a Buick!

[BUGSTUFF]

Yup, this is the former NMS. Me likey, especially the analog clock.

[Pushing Fifty]

The interior is nice, but from the photo, the exterior has the wow factor of a mid-90s Buick Century or Toyota Avalon...But if this sells and is what Americans want, I can see why they designed it to look that way. Thankfully, for us sedan guys who like German styling, the CC is another choice.

[Missladylinda]

Looks like a larger Jetta...

[Pushing Fifty]

Originally Posted by Missladylinda

Looks like a larger Jetta...

That seems to be the general consensus...but for some reason the styling works better with the smaller Jetta. To my eyes, the Passat looks like something an accountant or a 78-year-old Medicare recipent would drive. I'll keep my 07 B6 model. It looks better.

[leicaman]

Originally Posted by Pushing Fifty

That seems to be the general consensus...but for some reason the styling works better with the smaller Jetta. To my eyes, the Passat looks like something an accountant or a 78-year-old Medicare recipent would drive. I'll keep my 07 B6 model. It looks better.

I will keep trudging with my 05 Passat TDI, but if I was able buy the new one I would. I would however keep my 05 and buy the new one with the 6speed manual TDI drivetrain.

I will test drive one eventually so I think one has to keep an open mind until you see it. With the Passat CC, I liked it until I found how horrible the rear seat room is in that car because of the swoopy roof.

[DZLBUG]

I like it a lot. I think this styling is much better on a larger car like the Passat. I wish they would've kept the Jetta smaller and more Golf-looking. 6 speed TDI is a major win, especially since they are using SCR with urea to make it emissions compliant. That will give it better mileage than the smaller DPF equipped Jetta. Now they just need to add 4-motion as an option and a wagon model.

[dnyed]

It is a bit Jetta-like. I liked my 06 Passat better.

[BAMABUG]

Originally Posted by Missladylinda

Looks like a larger Jetta...

Couldn't agree with you more. Those were my exact thoughts when i saw the pic...

[BUGSTUFF]

I like them both, but I think the Passat is a bit sleeker. Can't wait to take one for a test drive.

For comparison:

[BeetleMyHeart]

I happened to be in Downtown Detroit during the opening day of the auto show. I checked out the new Passat along with every other new vehicle at the show. I spent alot of time at the VW exhibit because of the high level of interest in them.

The new Passat is pretty nice. It's very Jetta like inside and out. It seems to have some American car feel too it but maybe that's because I know it is made here. It's a little unfair to say the front end looks like a Jetta because that's been a VW tradition for years. The Touareg 2 looks just like the last generator Passat doesn't it? The new boxier cleaner front end is now on almost every new VW model but there is enough difference between them to justify their existance. I spent a bit of time sitting in the new Passat and it was a very nice car and fits it's price range perfectly,

[Pushing Fifty]

I like the new Jetta styling, but in the pic above, the Passat next to it by comparison looks like a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme! But that's just me, I guess.......

[BUGSTUFF]

:-)

[Pushing Fifty]

OK, maybe not. A Chevy Malibu, perhaps?

[BUGSTUFF]

Hmmm.......