Volkswagen reveals eighth-generation European-spec Passat

German carmaker, Volkswagen has published pictures of the eighth-generation Passat for European markets. The car is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

The Passat uses Volkswagen's expanded MQB platform which underpins a range of cars including the Golf and Skoda Octavia. The car is 2 mm shorter, 12 mm wider and 14 mm lower and 85 kg lighter than its predecessor. It also has a longer wheelbase and more boot space than the outgoing car.

On the styling front, the Passat gets a new triple-slat grille, bumper and narrower headlamps with LEDs. At the rear there is a slimmer pair of LED tail lamps, new bumper and twin exhausts.

On the inside, there is a TT-derived 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display and infotainment system that features Wi-Fi connectivity. Other features include Traffic Jam Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist System with City Emergency Braking, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Assist, Trailer Assist and Park Assist.

The Passat will come with a range of petrol and diesel engines producing between 120 and 280 PS. Making its debut will be a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine that pumps out 240 PS and 500 Nm of torque. It will be mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission and an all-wheel drive system. The company claims that it is capable of returning 20 km per litre of fuel.

There will be a plug-in hybrid version as well which will have a 1.4-litre TSI engine and a 102 PS electric motor. The combination of both the engine will give it a total power output of 204 PS. The electric motor alone is said to be good enough to give the car a range of 50 km.

The new Passat will try to challenge established luxury segment offerings such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.