Volkswagen Passat (2014) first pictures: VW's Passat Mk8

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

03 July 2014 23:01

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat has been unveiled - you're looking at the eighth generation of Passat. And, yes, it remains the epitome of sensible, stout Teutonic values.

The new Passat is based on the Volkswagen group's clever, adaptable MQB box of tricks, the architecture which underpins the Golf Mk7, too. So it's cleaner, lighter and bristling with tech.

This is big business for Volkswagen, make no mistake. In fact, VW sells more Passat than any other model worldwide - 1.1 million units in 2013.

The new Passat was unveiled overnight at an event in VW's Potsdam design centre in Germany. The company is launching saloon and estate bodystyles simultaneously.

In a pleasing reverse of the recent trend to balloon, the new Passat is in fact smaller than its predecessor in length and height, although it is marginally wider.

And the MQB platform means it is lighter than before, too, thanks to specially tailored steels and lightweight materials.

The MQB tech also brings a multitude of technology. There's a head-up display available, rear-seat entertainment packages, auto-braking to avoid collisions and a system to drive for you in stop-start traffic jams.

A total of 10 direct injection turbo petrol and diesel engines will be offered, stretching from 118bhp-276bhp. Not all of those will be offered in the UK, however. The shortlived Passat R was not a noticeable success here.

All the engines come with start-stop, which contributes to a drop in CO2 of up to 20%. There's also a plug-in hybrid available, marrying a 154bhp TSI petrol engine with a 80kW electric motor; it has a quoted EV pure electric range of 30 miles when the battery's topped up.

Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board at Volkswagen, said: 'The new Passat gives the right answers to the major automotive trends of its time. For me this Passat is a premium class car without premium costs. This fits perfectly to Europe's most successful business car – lining up with 20% better fuel economy, up to 85 kilograms less weight and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines – there is even a plug-in hybrid available.'

The new Passat goes on sale in Europe in July 2014, priced from €25,875 (saloon) and €25,950 (estate). However, right-hand drive sales aren't slated until autumn 2014, tipped to rise by around 5% on today's Passat.

Come back for more photos and details on the new VW Passat on Friday morning.

By Tim Pollard