Volkswagen Passat Launched At Rs 29.99 Lakh

The Volkswagen Passat is coming back after over 4 years and will rematch with its age-old rivals, the Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and the Honda Accord 

Volkswagen has launched the all-new eighth-generation Passat in India at Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India). It is available in two variants – Comfortline and Highline – and is powered only by the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine.  VW is offering special financing options through Volkswagen Financial Services with a starting EMI of Rs 29,990 per month. For the bookings made in 2017, it comes with 2+2 warranty and 4 years of roadside assistance as complementary. 

Prices (ex-showroom, pan India)

• VW Passat Comfortline: Rs 29.99 lakh 
• VW Passat Highline: Rs 32.99 lakh 

The seventh-generation Passat was discontinued from the Indian market in 2013 because of low sales, and also because it was approaching its end of the cycle. Making its world debut in November 2014 (on sale internationally since early 2015), the all-new Passat switched to Volkswagen Group’s MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform just like its sibling, the current third-gen Skoda Superb.  

Compared to the previous model, there aren’t many dramatic changes in terms of styling. It still unmistakably looks like a Volkswagen sedan. At the front, you get the typical VW sedan grille flanked by wraparound headlamps (full-LED in the Passat’s case). At the side, there’s this prominent character waistline, which culminates at its split-wrap-around LED tail lamps. On the inside, it gets the Audi-esque dashboard which gives an impression that the AC vents are connected with each other. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen on offer, which supports both Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.  

The Volkswagen Passat comes standard with 9 airbags (segment-first), a 360-degree camera display, ESP, ABS, Hill Start Assist, Auto hold and tire pressure monitoring system. The range-topping Highline trim adds hands-free tailgate operation, electrically adjustable front seats, all-leather upholstery, hands-free parking and more. 

Mechanically, the Passat is available with a diesel engine for now, but it might get a petrol mill maybe next year, same as the Volkswagen Tiguan. The engine we’re talking about is Volkswagen’s staple 2.0-litre TDI diesel and it is mated to a DSG dual-clutch automatic. The Skoda Superb, on the other hand, offers an option of a 1.8-litre TSI turbo-petrol with both a manual and a DSG auto option. 

Vitals 

• Engine: 2.0-litre TDI 
• Power: 177PS
• Torque: 350Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed DSG (dual-clutch automatic) 
• Fuel Efficiency: 17.42kmpl (ARAI-certified)