Volkswagen's eight generation Passat is probably the best one yet

Volkswagen has revealed the eight generation Passat with a design that conveys exclusivity, while gaining noticeably in presence, exclusivity and dynamism.

In retrospect, the car's styling was primarily influenced by the first generation 'B1' Passat of 1973, and all of the generations from the 'B5' generation onwards. 

An entirely new design platform was made available for the Passat for the first time with the modular transverse matrix (MQB).

At 4,767mm long, the new Passat is shorter than its predecessor by 2mm although the car's wheelbase has grown by a considerable 79mm to 2,791mm. The front and rear wheels were made larger and are now positioned further out to the sides, making it possible to shorten the overhangs significantly. At the same time, the Passat was made 14mm lower (1,456mm) and 12mm wider (1,832mm).

The new Passat arrives on the market with a completely redesigned generation of front ends. The radiator grille is designed to be significantly larger than the headlights. In all three equipment versions (Trendline, Comfortline, Highline), it is upgraded by four chrome bars.

On the sides, these bars bend inward towards the headlights in a trapezoid shape. The lowermost chrome bar of the grille is continued into the headlights.

The eighth generation Passat is being offered with halogen and LED headlights while the rear lights have been made considerably wider and leaner.

Due to numerous new design solutions and innovative technologies such as an Active Info Display and a Head-Up display, the interior is more avantgarde, distinctive and multifaceted than ever. The MQB platform made it possible to further improve interior space as well while cargo capacities have also increased. In the Saloon, cargo capacity has increased to 586 litres. In the Estate, cargo capacity is increased by 47 to 650 litres and expanded to 1,780 litres when the boot space is filled to the roof.

The central design element of the dashboard is an innovative air vent that extends across the entire width of the interior and is designed as a functional decorative element, eliminating the need for separately placed air nozzles. The continuous element is only interrupted by the instruments and the analogue clock in the middle.

The designers placed special value on a driver oriented design and a very spacious feeling of the front interior area. Therefore, starting from the seating position of the driver, the dashboard builds upwards in the space to the two sides of the instruments, inclined slightly towards the windscreen.