This Is It: 2016 Volkswagen Passat Unveiled With R-Line Trim
By Paulo Acoba
Released amidst scandal, the 2016 VW Passat was officially uneviled.
It’s never the wish of a CEO to start off the introduction of a new car by first apologizing but that’s what VW CEO of North America had to do earlier today (Sept. 21, 2015. ) Volkswagen officially pulled the wraps off its 2016 VW Passat to a crowd at the Duggal Greenhouse Brooklyn Naval Yard. The VW Passat sports an all new design as well as energy efficient LED lighting all around, a revamped interior, new standard safety features, three engines choices (which for the time being includes a TDI!) and an all new R-Line Passat.
According to VW, the only thing that hasn’t gone unchanged in the exterior is the roof, doors and body side stamping. Everything else, the hood, front fenders, grille as well as the front and rear bumpers have been changed (and it shows.) Upfront, the styling is much more agressive. There’s a new sculpted dome hood, slimmer headlights, a beefier four bar grille and sportier looking foglight housings that almost look like they feed air to the brakes. Outback the changes are a little more subtle with a flush rear license palte area and a chrome strip on the trunk.
Inside, VW is touting its new instrument panel with two large gauges and a centerstack with VW’s latest MIB II infottainment system.
"The interior also features upgraded materials, a new steering wheel and column stalk design, two-tone décor panels, and refined chrome and piano black trim. Heatable rear seats are a new available feature, along with Easy-Open keyless access that opens the trunk via moving a foot near the rear of the vehicle."
Standard on the 2016 Passat is “Automatic- Post Collision Braking System” which applies the brakes after an accident to prevent your car from spinning all over the place as after impacts do tend to happen after the initial collision.
The three engine choices are as follows.
- 1.8 inline four turbo
- 2.0 liter TDI (Turbo Diesel)
- 3.6 Liter V6- 280 HP
As far as we know, the R-Line trim adds special aero that includes special sideskirts, bumper, rear diffuser and 19 inch alloys with ZR rated tires. No changes to engine power.
And not surprisingly enough, details were scant on MPG and power ratings on both the base engine as well as the TDI.
MSRP for the 2016 Passat with the base engine starts out at $22,440 with full pricing readily available as the launch comes closer.
