NEW YORK: The Volkswagen (VW)Passat has been reborn and now leads the way with thee engine options of a 1.8-litre turbocharged TSI, 2.0-litre TDI and a more powerful 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 280hp.

The Passat comes out of Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant in the US and has been endowed with a new front and rear design, featuring LEDs for the first time for both headlights and rear light clusters.

It will be retailed from USD$22,440 (RM98,000) and comes with a new hood, front fenders, grille, front and rear bumpers and trunk lid, while the roof, doors, and the body side stamping are the only sheet-metal left unchanged.

Additionally, chrome accents have been added to the trunk, window surrounds, bumpers, and door trim

Changes to the interior include an updated instrument panel with two large gauges and the centre stack now incorporates VW’s latest second-generation modular infotainment platform (MIB II) touchscreen system that now includes USB and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.

The display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphones and tablets) enabling gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming rather than the resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times.

Most MIB II units also feature a proximity sensor, which detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features. USB and connectivity are standard on all 2016 Passat models.

Furthermore, the German automaker has also provided Car-Net App-Connect that supports smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.

The interior also features a new steering wheel and column stalk design, two-tone decor panels, chrome and piano black trim, heatable rear seats as well as the Easy-Open keyless access that also opens the trunk by moving a foot near the rear of the vehicle.

For those opting for the VR6 variant of the Passat, it means the car gets equipped with a more sporty outlook that includes a stylised front bumper with contrasting black accents, a modified rear diffuser and 19-inch anthracite Salvador aluminium-alloy wheels with 235/40 series tyres.

In terms of safety, the updated Passat receives automatic post-collision braking system and a rearview camera as standard.

Depending on variant, it also gets fitted with adaptive cruise control (ACC), forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking (Front Assist), blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert, lane departure warning (Lane Assist) and parking steering assistant (Park Assist).

“We applied a progressive design strategy with the new Passat, giving the car a dynamic presence and a more sophisticated look and integrated several new design elements, including a sculpted, domed hood that significantly sets the car apart from its predecessor,” said Volkswagen head of design Klaus Bischoff.”

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