[XCAR domestic new car original]
On January 18, 2016, SAIC Volkswagen’s new Passat was officially launched, with a total of seven models.The price range is 183,900-332,900 yuan.. The new Passat listed this time is based on the mid-term change of Passat in the US version, which basically continues the design style of Passat in the US version in appearance, and has also been upgraded in all directions in configuration and power.





Appearance: continuation of American Passat full LED.automaticHeadlights are bright spots.
SAIC-Volkswagen’s new Passat is not a new generation model, but a mid-term redesigned model. The new car is based on the mid-term redesigned Passat of the US version, and the biggest change in design is concentrated in the front face.



It can be seen that the headlights and front grille of the new Passat have changed significantly compared with the current ones. The bulge in the middle of the hood and the lines on both sides make the vehicle more powerful. The chrome decoration of the middle net is derived to both sides and the headlights are wrapped inside to enhance the visual effect. At the same time, the lower grille runs through both sides through a chrome trim strip, which together with the upper grille enhances the lateral sense and tension of the front face.


The new Passat has adjusted the headlight shape, in which the 1.4T and 1.8T low and medium models are equipped with xenon headlights, and the 1.8T top and 3.0L models are equipped with full LED headlights, with a total of 72 LEDs. According to official news, the brightness of the high beam is about 1300 lumens, and the brightness of the low beam is over 910 lumens, which is close to natural light, which is very comfortable for people to see. At the same time, this set of LED headlights can also achieve the light up and down, left and right, and the front and rear irradiation distance is 6.

In addition, in terms of headlight configuration, all the other models are automatic headlights, which can automatically light the headlights according to light induction, while the headlights of the models with 1.4T and above are also equipped with AFS dynamic angle assistance function, and information fusion judgment is made through data such as horizontal position sensor, speed sensor and wiper, so as to adjust the light adaptively and realize the optimization of far and near light illumination.


In terms of body size, the length, width and height of the new Passat are 4872/1834/1484mm and the wheelbase is 2803mm respectively. Compared with the current models, the body length is increased by 2mm, and the height is increased by 12mm, while the wheelbase and width remain unchanged. In addition, the new Passat offers three sizes of wheels for consumers to choose from, among which the low-profile model is equipped with 16-inch wheels, the medium-profile model is equipped with 17-inch wheels, and the high-profile model is equipped with 18-inch wheels.




The main changes in the tail focus on the taillights and some small details, among which the taillights are adjusted in shape, and all taillights use LED light sources, which improves the visual effect at night. At the same time, the new Passat moved the reflector up and integrated it with the chrome trim into a straight line.
Interior: the overall design is younger and more fashionable, and the configuration is rich.
Everyone must be familiar with the overall style of the interior, but you can also feel the changes in details. Compared with the current models, wood decorative boards are used less, making the overall feeling more concise and young.


The materials and workmanship have maintained the standard of this class of vehicles. More horizontal stripes also make the visual effect of the central control more spacious, and the combination of upper depth and lower depth makes the interior look brighter. Everyone is very familiar with the new steering wheel, and its flat-bottomed shape is also very sporty and its functions are very comprehensive.



In terms of entertainment and comfort configuration, the new Passat comes standard with start/stop system, car Bluetooth system, rear independent air outlet and air conditioning PM2.5 air purification system, and new MIB multimedia entertainment system; Except for the lowest models, the other models are equipped with multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, front seat heating, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, 12-way electric adjustment of front seats and 220V power supply in the rear; The middle and high models are also equipped with keyless entry/one-button start function, rear windshield electric sunshade, welcome seat and perforated leather seat.



The high-profile model is also equipped with electric tailgate, mahogany steering wheel, rear seat heating, front seat ventilation and rear table board; The top model also adds adaptive cruise function, Dana audio and NAPPA perforated leather seats. In addition, 1.4T high-profile and 1.8T low-profile models are equipped with 5-inch touch screens, while 1.8T medium-profile and above models are equipped with 6.33-inch touch screens. At the same time, the new Passat also added LED ambience lights.



In terms of safety configuration, the new Passat comes standard with ESP, EPB electronic parking brake, Auto Hold automatic parking function and tire pressure monitoring function; The middle and high models are equipped with reversing radar, reversing images and blind spot monitoring functions; The 2.0T top model and 3.0L model are also equipped with automatic parking and lane keeping functions, but the middle model can be equipped with these two configurations, and the top model with 3.0L model is also equipped with rear double airbags, which is the first model equipped with rear side airbags under SAIC Volkswagen.
Power: The performance and economy of all three turbocharged engines have been greatly improved.
In terms of power, the new Passat is still equipped with four engines with displacement of 1.4TSI, 1.8TSI, 2.0TSI and 3.0L, but all three turbocharged engines have been upgraded, of which 1.4TSI has been upgraded to EA211 series, and 1.8T and 2.0T engines have been upgraded from the second generation EA888 to the third generation EA888 series.


The three upgraded turbocharged engines have added start/stop functions, and 1.8TSI and 2.0TSI have also added technologies such as dual variable valve timing and variable valve lift. At the same time, the performance parameters have also been greatly improved, in which the maximum power of 1.4TSI and 1.8TSI has increased by 14kW compared with the old model, while the maximum power of 2.0TSI has increased by 15kW, and the fuel consumption of the three engines has also decreased compared with the old model.


In terms of transmission, the new Passat 1.8TSI and 2.0TSI are all equipped with DQ380 7-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox, while the gearboxes of other models have not changed. The low-profile models are still equipped with 5-speed manual gearboxes, and the top 3.0L models are equipped with 6-speed dual-clutch gearboxes. In terms of chassis, all models still use the former McPherson/rear four-bar independent suspension, but the suspension has been upgraded, and the quietness and comfort have been improved. At the same time, the DCC adaptive chassis control system has been added to the top model for the first time, with three modes: normal, comfortable and sports, which further improves the driving comfort and sports handling, but this configuration can be optional for the middle model.
Competitiveness analysis
The competitors of SAIC Volkswagen’s new Passat are mainly mid-size cars in the joint venture camp, and the most direct competitors should be Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Changan Ford Mondeo. However, from the price point of view, the new Passat’s mid-to-high-end models also overlap with the Audi A4L, BMW 3 Series and mercedes benz c Class currently on sale, because these cars have a lot of discounts at present, and the low-end and mid-to-high-end models after the discount are all within the price range of the new Passat. However, due to the different brand positioning, we only compare the new Passat with Accord, Camry and Mondeo here.

First of all, from the price point of view, the price range of several models is actually not much different, which is about 180,000-300,000. However, as the new Passat is a newly listed model, there will be no preferential treatment in the market for some time, while the other three competitors have preferential ranges ranging from 20,000-40,000 yuan, so it has a great impact on Passat from the price point of view. It is expected that Passat’s terminal sales will also introduce preferential policies one after another soon after listing.

Judging from the body size, the new Passat is at the middle and upper reaches, and the new car has been upgraded in length and height, which makes it look more atmospheric in appearance. At the same time, there is not much difference in the internal space of this mid-level car. It is recommended that consumers go to the 4S shop to see the real car and choose the design that suits them after experiencing it for themselves.

It is intuitive to see that the new Passat has the richest power selection, providing four medium displacement engines including three turbine engines and a self-priming engine, giving consumers more choices. In addition, the Accord and Camry currently on sale are all equipped with naturally aspirated engines, which are not dominant in this era of advocating turbocharging. In terms of transmission, the new Passat offers three options: 5MT/7DSG/6DSG, which is also the richest of these models.
On the whole, the competitiveness of the upgraded new Passat has improved a lot compared with the old models, while the competitor models are relatively old, and the configuration and power are not dominant. At the same time, the addition of full LED automatic headlights, adaptive cruise function, Dana audio and DCC adaptive chassis control system also makes the new Passat more competitive.
Editor’s comment:Although the new Passat listed this time is not a replacement model, its changes can not be underestimated. The appearance of the new Passat, especially the front face, continues the design style of the American version, which is more fashionable. At the same time, the addition of full LED automatic headlights further enhances its competitiveness. In terms of configuration, the new Passat top model has also added adaptive cruise function, Dana audio and DCC adaptive chassis control system, which is also a big breakthrough. In addition, the three turbocharged engines of the new Passat have been upgraded, and the performance parameters and fuel economy have been greatly improved. In 2015, Passat’s annual sales exceeded 200,000 units, becoming the annual sales champion of joint venture mid-size cars, so we have more reason to believe that the new Passat relies on the excellent reputation and sales volume of the old models, coupled with its strong changes and upgrades, and believes that it has the strength to continue to write sales legends.
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