2012 Volkswagen Passat Test Mules Hit the 'Ring

The first test mules of Volkswagen's next-generation Passat sedan are slowly starting to break cover on and around the Nurburgring race track, as the German automaker moves ahead with the development of the mid-size sedan that is expected to hit the market sometime in 2012. It's still too early for specific details but the photos reveal that the new Passat will most likely sit atop a longer and wider platform - notice the stretched B-pillar and the extended wheelarches on the test mule that uses the body of the current generation Passat.

Like most new vehicles today, it is almost certain that Volkswagen will equip the new Passat with a revised engine line up promising to offer better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

Via: Worldcarfans

New VW Passat Lingyu: Skoda-Based Sedan Makes World Debut in Shanghai

On the opening day of the Auto Shanghai 2009, Volkswagen lifted the covers on its new domestic market mid-size sedan, the Passat Lingyu. For those that like paying attention to details, the Lingyu is essentially a previous-generation Skoda Superb with a new front and rear-end design. If you're not already confused, then this will help: in turn, the previous Skoda Superb was based on the last generation Passat featuring a longer wheelbase and different nose and tail design...

Like its Czech counterpart, the Passat Lingyu has a 2803mm long wheelbase offering plenty of space for the rear passengers. Volkswagen's China-built Passat will be available with various powertrains including a V6 engine and a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline unit with 160HP that returns 6.2lt/100km or 38mpg US.

During VW's press conference in Shanghai, Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said: "VW sales figure in the first quarter of this year has clearly exceeded our expectation at the beginning of the year. We have complemented our product portfolio with our new locally produced stars Passat New Lingyu and New Golf. Additionally, we have displayed the most advanced and environment-friendly technologies."

VW Passat CC Individual Available for Order in Germany

After the Eos coupe-convertible, the Passat and the Touareg, the four-door coupe Passat CC is Volkswagen's fourth model under the "Individual" label to go into production. Available with all engine variants that are offered on the Passat CC, the Individual is priced in Germany from €34,800. While exterior changes are limited to the exclusive pearl effect "Moonlight Blue" color and the 18-inch (19's optional) "Chicago black" alloys, inside, VW has given the Passat CC Individual a special treatment.

The cabin is distinguished by the two-tone leather seats that combine perforated, high-end soft leather in the so-called Nougat color for the inner surfaces with contrasting black nappa leather for the outer surfaces joined by Nougat color seams. These colors are also found on the leather steering wheel and gearshift lever. Furthermore, the black fabric floor mats are upgraded with Nougat colored piping as well while accents in the CC instruments and doors are treated with high-gloss black piano paint.

Also standard on the Passat CC Individual are the ambiance lighting in the door and footwell areas as well as an extended chrome package that includes special chrome bezels on the inside door handles, chrome caps on window lift and central locking switches, as well as chrome around the mirror adjuster.

VW Testing Chinese Passat Lingyu fuel-cell vehicles in the States

Volkswagen of America announced today that it has 'imported' 16 Passat Lingyu fuel-cell vehicles from China to use in fleet demonstrations at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California. These prototype fuel-cell vehicles that are based on the domestic version of the Passat were developed in China as part of a joint effort between VW Shanghai, Tongji University and Volkswagen Group Research. They were first revealed at last summer's 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

"These vehicles logged nearly 50,000 miles in Beijing - with zero harmful emissions. We can think of no better place to next exhibit this environmentally-friendly technology than at the California Fuel Cell Partnership," said John Tillman, program manager for Volkswagen's U.S. Advanced Powertrain Research Program.

The hydrogen fuel cells are located in the car floor of the Passat Lingyu. The fuel cell system develops a peak power of 55 kW. The energy obtained by converting hydrogen (H) into water (H2O) is fed into a lithium-ion battery which is located under the rear bench seat and has a capacity of eight Ampere-hours (Ah) at 376 Volt (V).

VW claims that the Passat Lingyu is capable of traveling at highway speeds up to 90 mph (145 km/h) and as far as 146 miles (235 km) on a single tank of fuel with the only byproduct released from the tailpipe being water and oxygen.

VW Releases Teaser Sketch of U.S Market 2011 Mid-Size Sedan - Larger than the Passat

On Thursday, Volkswagen's North American arm released the first-ever teaser sketch of its forthcoming mid-size sedan codenamed NMS that will be manufactured at the company's first U.S. production facility in more than 20 years, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The sketch reveals that the yet to be named saloon will be more 'wedgy' and squared-off than Volkswagen's current proposals with the front-end design bringing to mind the fascia of the German automaker's latest concept car, the BlueSport Roadster.

It is said that the NMS will be slightly larger than the current-generation Passat with Volkswagen promising that it will feature "spacious legroom", a "large trunk volume" and numerous cupholders - we didn't say that, VW did.

During an official presentation in Berlin, Germany, last October, VW officials said that their North American market mid-size sedan will be offered with the firm's latest Fuel-Stratified Injection (FSI) gasoline and TDI diesel engine units, mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Production of the NMS is expected to begin in Chattanooga in early 2011.

Via: Autoweek