Paris Show: 2011 VW Passat Sedan and Estate B7 or more like B6.75... [Updated]

[Fresh pics added] What can we expect from the crisp, facelifted B6 Passat? Well, for one thing, it's actually labeled a seventh-generation model even though it's clearly B6-derived. In its defense, VW says "every body panel apart from the roof is new".

Said new panels extend the car by 4 millimeters (4,769 mm for sedan, 4,771 mm Estate), while the width and height remain the same at 1,820 mm and 1,474 mm, respectively.

Up front, the nose gets a more attractive grille / headlight treatment and is more in-line with VW's current styling. On the outer edges of the new, chromey grille reside LED running lights. At the rear, the tail lights get chrome accents and blend nicely with the sharper lines of VW's family saloon.

Passengers get heated/cooled seats that can also provide massages if consumers are willing to go lux. In order to make the Passat more of a flagship along the lines of the Phaeton VW has added a few new touches: inside the revised dash there are new dials, trim and even an analogue clock (you stay classy, V-Dub). Other than that, the rest of the interior gets the usual minor updates.

At the bottom of the diesel engine pack is a BlueMotion 1.6-liter TDI which makes 105 horses; it also gets greener (or bluer) thanks to battery regeneration and a start/stop system. If equipped with this engine, the Passat can return up to 68.8 mpg ("a theoretical range of over 1,000 miles on a single tank") while emitting 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Above the 1.6 there are two 2.0-liter units making 140 and 170 horsepower.

The gasoline engine lineup includes a 1.4-liter TSI (122 hp), a 1.8-liter TSI (160 hp), a 2.0-liter TSI (210 hp), and the top-of-the-mountain 3.6-liter V6 (300 hp). Frankly, VW should get that 2.0T to put out a little more oomph, because the gasoline lineup is seriously unbalanced with a 90-horsepower gap between the high-output four-banger and the V6.

Transmissions will be clutch-run manuals and DSGs across the range, and an XDS electronic differential makes it first appearance on the Passat (300 ponies to the front wheels will do that).

Safety systems include a (hopefully better than Volvo) auto-brake system as part of the car's Automatic Distance Control which applies the brakes at 18 mph or below should you or a pedestrian be a little careless. And get this: "The system is also able to accelerate the vehicle automatically should it detect an imminent rear end collision providing the vehicle sees a clear space ahead. " There's also an optional "you're too tired to drive" warning system.

Deliveries should begin early 2011, while pricing is going to be announced in the next few months.

By Phil Alex

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READ MORE - Paris Show: 2011 VW Passat Sedan and Estate B7 or more like B6.75... [Updated]

VW Announces New Engine Plant in Mexico, will Supply Chattanooga Factory with a Latest Generation Powerplant

Volkswagen has revealed plans to open up a new engine plant in Silao, Mexico in 2013 to supply vehicles made in Puebla, Mexico and Chattanooga in the USA with a latest generation powerplant. Construction works for the plant are set to begin this year.

The German firm said the total investment for the development of the new engine -details of which were not released- as well as for building the new site comes to a total of USD 550 million (€ 400 million), adding that the factory will create approximately 700 jobs over the medium term on site.

"North America is and remains one of the biggest and most important markets for the automotive industry," said Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, board member of the Volkswagen Group.

"The current expansion of capacity of the plant in Puebla, the upcoming start of production in Chattanooga, as well as the opening up of the new engine plant in Silao, clearly shows how Volkswagen AG is going on the offensive in North America as well."

Volkswagen said the new plant and engine will further strengthen its market position in North America and help achieve its target sales of one million vehicles in the USA annually from 2018.

Currently, VW produces the Jetta, Golf estate and the New Beetle in Puebla, Mexico. From 2011, production of the firm's New Midsize Sedan (NMS) will begin in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

According to previous statements from company officials, the NMS (seen in these sketches) will be slightly larger than the current-generation Passat, which it will replace here in the States.

READ MORE - VW Announces New Engine Plant in Mexico, will Supply Chattanooga Factory with a Latest Generation Powerplant

Paris Show Debut for Redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Passat Confirmed

The Paris Motor Show organizers have confirmed the world premiere of the facelifted Volkswagen Passat in both sedan and Estate body styles. Expect the first photos and intel on the revamped Passat to go up just before the grand opening of the show on September 30.

From what we've seen in the spy photos and videos, VW's offering in the mid-size segment will receive significant styling changes to the front and rear ends, including a new hood and grille, plus redesigned bumpers and head lamps / tail lights, for a crisper and more dynamic look.

A plusher cockpit with higher quality materials and a refreshed design is also in the cards. Other changes inside will include new audio and navigation systems as well as the introduction of new extras.

It is believed that for the most part, the current lineup of engines, including the four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel units, will be carried over to the facelifted model.

(Video via: Youtube/AMS)

READ MORE - Paris Show Debut for Redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Passat Confirmed

Official: New VW NMS Sedan, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos Coming to the States Next Year

Volkswagen will reveal its future plans in a meeting with its 582 U.S. and 130 Canadian dealers that takes place in Atlanta and will also include a drive of more than 700 all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedans to the company's brand-new $1 billion assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In a statement to the press, the German automaker said it plans to introduce four all-new or refreshed models in 2011 including the NMS mid-size sedan, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos.

Here's what VW said: "In addition to opening the Chattanooga plant in 2011, Volkswagen of America will introduce four all-new or refreshed models – NMS, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos. These vehicles join the 2010 launch of the all-new Jetta and new Touareg. Each of these vehicles is critical to achieving Volkswagen Group's target of selling one million vehicles annually in the US by 2018 (Volkswagen: 800,000; Audi: 200,000)."

No other details were released on the aforementioned models, however, we do know that the NMS mid-size sedan is new and that the Tiguan and Eos will receive a mid-life makeover.

That leaves us with the New Beetle, which has been in the market since 1998 with production of the current model set to cease in 2011. Logic says, VW will present a brand-new version of the retro-styled Beetle, with a teaser concept study possibly making its appearance at an upcoming international motor show such as the LA (November 2010) or Detroit (January 2011) salons.

As always, we'll keep an eye on things and inform you on any new developments.

*2012 New Beetle renderings by David Cardoso - read more here

READ MORE - Official: New VW NMS Sedan, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos Coming to the States Next Year