If somebody who has basic photoshop skills wants to color the black trim around the bottom the same color as the body, we can get a better idea of the real proportions of the car.

 

I'm not sure if I like how VW is using that tail light design. This, the Phaeton, the Touareg, the new GTi, all look the same and all the rears look too empty IMO.

This really does cheapan the Phaeton IMO though. Anyone see the new ad they had for the Phaeton in the new C&D? I literally laughed out loud when I read it.

James

 

vans, this forum has a gallery...if you don't want to use your bandwith.

 

hmm, didn't know that - thanks

 

Its ridiculous. But most all German cars now look like Japanese cars. The new Passat is no different. I am STILL at a loss why they would change the Audi grill, then make the platfrom shared VW the same thing?
Specs look good on the new car.







Volkswagen has officially launched the all-new sixth generation Passat in Germany. The B6 (sixth generation B-class platform, also known as the PQ46) has grown larger in all dimensions, offers a range of new powerplants including an all-new North American specific 280hp 3.6l six-cylinder and has an overall more upscale appearance that continues the legacy that the B5 Passat leaves behind.

The Passat has grown in size with the sixth generation model to an overall length of 187.7 inches and a width of 71.7 inches. That brings the length up 2.5 inches and width a whopping 3 inches over the outgoing B5 Passat. We were given a sneak peak at the new B6 Passat several months ago and in the metal the new Passat has a bit of Audi A6 meets B5 Passat meets Chrysler 300M meets Phaeton. Proportions look great on the new car, especially the extra width which give the car a much better stance - the car actually looks much wider than these photos show it.

For the U.S. and Canadian markets, the B6 Passat will be available with a 200hp 2.0l turbocharged 4-cylinder with FSI currently found in the GTI. This engine will replace the venerable 1.8T as the new base engine. The 2.0T FSI will be mated to either the MQ350 six-speed transmission or the butter-smooth Aisin built six-speed Tiptronic automatic. Also new to the Passat and unique to the U.S. market is an all-new 280hp 3.6l VR6 FSI that replaces the current 2.8l Audi V6. This new 3.6l VR6 model will only be sold in the U.S. market B6 Passat initially (Germany will get a 250hp 3.2l VR6 FSI) and will be available only with a six-speed tiptronic in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. Since the new B6 Passat utilizes Golf V component sharing (HVAC, engines, transmissions, etc., etc.) the B6 Passat has moved to a transverse engine layout which also means a switch from a Torsen-based AWD system to a Haldex-based AWD system.

The new Passat is also a recipient of the Golf V's vastly improved revised Macpherson strut front suspension and all-new full indepenent rear suspension. Coupled with a claimed 57% increase in torsional rigidity over the outgoing model, the new B6 Passat reportedly rides and handles wonderfully with virtually no dive, no squat and no roll even on base configurations.

Expect the B6 Passat to have a full compliment of standard and optional features including a new electronic parking brake system, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, optional DVD-based navigation system, Bluetooth support, all-new key system with no traditional cut key but rather a transmitter device that gets inserted into the dash and pushed to start. Pricing is expected to start around $24,000 and climb to around $38,000 fully loaded with AWD, HID, 280hp 3.6l VR6, navigation, leather and more.

The B6 Passat will be shown publicly at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2005 followed closely by the debut of the U.S. version at the New York Auto Show. The 2.0T FSI sedan will go on sale here in North America first in the 3rd quarter of 2005 (in dealers in August as of this writing) followed by the 3.6l VR6 sedan in October of 2005. The wagon will be a delayed introduction in February of 2006. Expect options to include both a sport line and a luxury line with aluminum trim, sport suspension and larger wheels on the sport line and wood trim and more luxury features going the luxury option route. Navigation and high-intensity discharge headlamps will also be available as an option so Volkswagen is addressing criticism from existing owners that options available on German cars aren't available on North American models. Overall the packaging and trim levels look very promising

 

Wow, I really like it. Much nicer than the A6 in my opinion.

It's weird to me how VW is cannablising its own luxury brand though. You would think that they would try to make more differentiation like Toyota and Lexus.

 

Nice to see a 6M in the lineup, but it's a car I've never been interested in.

 

Yeah, Sick, I thought that was funny, too. "We want to further differentiate the brands Audi and VW. Here is our new fish mouth huge honkin' Audi grille."

One day later. "Here is our new fish mouth huge honkin' VW grille."

 

6M? What's that?

 

Now can we point at audi and say that it's just a vw .....j/k, don't want to start this again...

Yeah, why did they use audi grill?

Looks very good, almost not VW worthy. The interior is pretty luxurious.

 

I think it looks good. I really like it in black with those rims. Too bad you cant get a manual tranny with that 280hp engine. Its so hard to find a powerful V6 in a 6speed manual at a great price nowadays.

I wonder how this will do against the new Avalon?? Avy is probably still bigger though.

I also really hate the looks of the new Jetta. Very ugly. Also not a believer in I-5 engines unless its paired with a turbo a la Volvo.

 

That really throws me off. Why they insist on making VW some premium brand no one wants is up in the air now. Pierch is gone. Audi is the upscale brand. VW means, PEOPLEs CAR!!

Its too funny and so obvious. I wonder what the Audi people think (runs to AUDI forum)

 

I think of VWs as a step above Toyota/Honda/Nissan and many steps below MB/BMW/Audi/Lexus, etc. I don't think it'd be impossible to change people's perceptions of VW as a "People's car," and because they originally started out that way doesn't mean I think they should necessarily keep that as their mission forever and ever, but they have a fight ahead of them if they really want to make two high end luxury marques succeed. Especially when it's getting so that nowadays it's hard enough making one high end luxury marque succeed, let alone from VAG. Audi is still struggling to crack the upper tiers of perception here...

 

I'm diggin' it but them wheels are horibble

 

6 Speed Manual Transmission.

Seeing it now, it still really does nothing for me and that one profile shot really does give it a Japanese-like feel.

The front overhang and headlights I don't like. Same with the blank rear, but the nav and gauge cluster look good. I've always liked VW's newer blue cluster.

James