Volkswagen Passat

Technical Specifications

Also called: Volkswagen Dasher

Volkswagen Quantum

Volkswagen Santana

Volkswagen Corsar

Manufacturer:

Volkswagen

Production: 1973–present

Predecessor: Volkswagen Type 3

Class:

1973-1981: Small family car, 1982-present: Large family car

Similar: Peugeot 407

Mazda Mazda6

Nissan Primera

Ford Mondeo

The Volkswagen Passat is a family car built by Volkswagen AG, produced in various forms since 1973. It falls between the Volkswagen Golf/Jetta and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen lineup, and is currently produced in Volkswagen's plant in Emden, Germany. Although normally known as the Passat in European markets, it has been badged as a variety of other names including Dasher, Santana and Quantum in other markets.

The Passat has always been one of Volkswagen's most important models, falling in the middle of the sedan/saloon market segment. It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.

Following the Volkswagen Group's acquisition of Audi in 1964, Volkswagen was able to use newly gained engineering expertise to develop a modern front wheel drive car with a water-cooled engine, and thus the Passat and Golf (the latter being introduced in 1974) were the first of a new generation of Volkswagens. Indeed, the first Passat was designed together with Audi 80/Fox and the two share the same platform. The new Passat allowed Volkswagen to compete more squarely with its European rivals than was possible with its product line consisting of old-fashioned rear-engined models. As of 2006, the Passat is one of Volkswagen's best-selling and most-profitable models in nearly every market.

While the original Passat was a small family car, the modern Passat has grown in size and moved to the segment of large family size cars.

Consumer Behavior

'A car that fits like a bespoke suit' describes the range of requirements that the New Passat fulfills across a very broad spectrum of conditions. A design that is dynamically perfect for day-to-day use. The Passat is both a vast and spacious family car and is the vehicle of choice for Europe and remaining world especially the Middle East region.

Since its worldwide introduction in March 2005, the Passat has risen on the popularity charts of customer preference offering new dynamism in its design and engineering with comfortable and ergonomic interiors, a host of safety features and ground breaking technological innovation. The alluring Exterior boasts ample Power & Charismatic qualities, while the interiors are sumptuous and modern; Carefully thought out to every minute detail, from 12-way electrically operated massage seats to the draught free climate control system; Sector and Class leading in every way, it is no wonder that the Volkswagen Passat is a highly sought after and acclaimed vehicle worldwide.

After being awarded the prestigious Auto1 Award, the new Passat has established itself at the head of the middle-class saloon field and lost no time in continuing its predecessors winning ways, for example collecting the 'Gelber Engel' consumer prize awarded by Germany's ADAC automobile club and the 'Goldene Lenkrad' presented by Bild am Sonntag, the German Sunday newspaper. The Volkswagen Passat has also been nominated 'Car of the Year' in several other European countries.

The Passat has captured the recognition of the Middle East region since its launch in Autumn 2005 and has won the Best Design Of The Year for 2005-2006 by Gear One. After which it won the Best Design Of The Year by Wheels & Gears Magazine.