Next-Gen Volkswagen Passat to hit Indian roads by January 2017

After being spotted testing in the country recently, the imminent launch of the next-gen Volkswagen Passat is set to take place by January 2017, according to multiple reports. The car, in its GTE Hybrid avatar, was showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi earlier this year and is expected to breathe some more life into the luxury sedan segment.

Launched back in 2007, the Passat has never really been radically upgraded in India. But it would only be fair to accredit this to the low sales volumes in the segment over the years. However, thanks to the likes of the Toyota Camry, and also the new Skoda Superb, the Indian buyer has been showing greater interest in these posher sedans. And with Honda also set to bring in the Accord Hybrid during the festive period, it would be oblivious of Volkswagen to hold back its horses any longer.

In terms of looks, the car gets a stronger dose of style than the outgoing model. Built on the German carmaker’s MQB platform, the Passat is built on the company’s latest design language, with a sporty bumper and LED fog lamps on the front fascia. The redesigned rear is also packed with new pentagonal LED lamps and a bulkier bumper.

In its eighth iteration globally, the car will reportedly be powered by a diesel engine initially, to be later followed by a plug-in hybrid version. The diesel mill will be the company's familiar 1,968cc TDI four-cylinder engine that delivers 170PS of power and 320Nm of torque when mated to the 7-speed DSG transmission as standard.

Source: CarDekho.com