Adding to a growing list of awards, the new-for-2012 Volkswagen Passat has earned additional praise from Cars.com for its outstanding value and long list of standard features. Named “Best of 2012,” the Passat captured the third annual award from the popular online automotive source. The Passat’s long list of standard features includes Bluetooth® technology, dual-zone automatic climate control, class-leading rear seat legroom, and Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance program for a starting MSRP of $19,995.

Prior to choosing the “Best of 2012” awards, editors at Cars.com tested more than 65 models released for 2012. Editors picked their top six before selecting the 2012 Passat as “Best of 2012.” The Passat ousted the Subaru Impreza, Range Rover Evoque, Hyundai Veloster, Hyundai Accent, and Audi A7.

In addition to the “Best of 2012” honor, Cars.com named the Passat TDI Clean Diesel model their “Eco-Friendly Car of the Year.” The clean diesel’s 2.0L four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and an exceptional 236 pound-feet of torque. Boasting an industry-leading 795-mile range on a full tank, the Passat TDI manual has an EPA estimated 43 mpg on the highway. As the only affordable diesel in midsize sedan segment, the Passat delivers excellent performance while maintaining exceptional fuel economy.

“This recognition is an honor. We set out to bring to market a sedan that appealed to the American consumer in the highly competitive midsize segment and the Passat is quickly earning a spot on the U.S. consumer’s shopping list due to its exceptional value, strong list of standard features, and German heritage,” said Kevin Joostema, general manager of product marketing. “Accolades such as this indicate that we’re succeeding.”

Engineered in Germany and built at Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the 2012 Passat has garnered praise from the automotive press since its introduction last fall.

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VWvortex’s managing editor Jamie Vondruska talks about his favorite features, and what to ask about when test driving the all-new Passat.

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Volkswagen says the poor U.S. track record of its Passat is stark proof that a one-world, one-car approach doesn’t get the job done.

VW has tried for years to carve out a respectable piece of the important U.S. mid-sized sedan market with the German-built Passat. But VW’s U.S. dealers in 2010 sold fewer than 13,000 Passat sedans and wagons combined. By comparison, VW in 2010 sold more than 66,000 Passats just in Germany, and more than 170,000 across Europe.

It works there. It hasn’t worked here. Why?

The car was failing for a number of reasons. The first was price. The euro is strong against the dollar these days. By the time the Passat was built in Emden, Germany, with German labor costs and a euro currency base for its components, and then shipped to North America, its base sticker price was $27,945, including shipping. That’s $7,000 higher than a base-model Toyota Camry.

The new U.S. Passat will have a base price of $20,765, including shipping.

The Passat is slightly smaller and less roomy inside than other mid-sized cars, including the Camry and the Hyundai Sonata. The new Passat is now on a 110.4-inch wheelbase, with 42.4 inches of front seat legroom, exceeding the Camry in both categories.

In Europe, the Passat’s base engine will deliver 120 hp. In North America, it’s 170 hp.

- Autonews

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Get all the details about the Chattanooga plant where the all-new 2012 Passat is built, directly from Frank Fischer, CEO of Chattanooga Operations and Don Jackson, President of Manufacturing USA.

Find out why the all-new Passat is worth the wait.

- VWoA

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The new Volkswagen Passat is setting off on a nationwide tour, showcasing the new model to small businesses and fleets at business parks across the country.  Starting on Monday 24th January in Aylesbury, the epic 50-day road show will visit all four corners of the country giving customers a chance to see and experience the vehicle, and also understand how the seventh generation Passat would operate as a company car within their business.

Accompanying the tour will be a hospitality unit hosted by staff from local Volkswagen Retailers.  Visitors to the road show will be welcomed with complimentary refreshments and have a chance to explore the new Passat, the first examples of which went on sale earlier this month with prices starting at £18,875 for the saloon and £20,175 for the versatile Estate.  They will also be able to talk to trained Volkswagen representatives who will be on hand to talk through the competitive contract hire and finance packages available, as well as having information on company car tax and BiK implications.

The Passat has established itself as a firm favourite with UK buyers with over 600,000 examples having found homes here since its launch in 1973.  The new seventh generation Passat is the most advanced iteration yet with every model fitted with special sound insulating windscreen glass and new sound deadening materials to make it one of the quietest cars in its class. 

As well as an elegant new look on the inside and out the new Passat can, for the first time, be specified with air-conditioned seats and Automatic Distance Control (ADC) that can automatically slow the car to a halt should it encounter traffic.  In addition, the new Passat can be fitted with an automatic fatigue detection system that monitors the driver’s inputs and automatically emits an audible and visual warning to recommend a break if required.

Every diesel engine is now badged as a BlueMotion Technology product and is equipped with battery regeneration and Stop/Start systems as standard.  The result is that the entry-level 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS is capable of exceeding the economy of the outgoing BlueMotion model with a combined economy of 65.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km.  In turn, the new BlueMotion model, due to go on sale in mid-2011, will return a forecast 68.8 mpg and emit 109 g/km of CO2.

Call 020 7258 4171 to find out where the nationwide tour will be visiting.  For more information on the new Passat, and the rest of the Volkswagen range, visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

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As Volkswagen takes the wraps off its new American-built Passat sedan at the 2011 Detroit auto show, prominent Tennessee politician Bob Corker is giving credit to the company and its vision for new U.S. production–while he also gives a nod to Volkswagen’s competitor in the mainstream sedan market, Toyota.

Corker (R.-Tenn.) says the arrival of Volkswagen marks another milestone in the state’s long campaign to woo industrial jobs.

“It’s an incredible thing for southeast Tennessee,” he said prior to the launch of the Passat at Detroit’s Cobo Center. “For 20 years our city has had a vision, and differing people have been able to put that vision into reality.”

Complete article on Fox News

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Prices for the seventh generation Volkswagen Passat have been revealed and customers will be able to order one from tomorrow.  The new car will cost from £18,470 (RRP on the road) for the saloon and £19,745 for the Estate.

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last month, the Passat takes on not only a fresh appearance both inside and out with every panel and glass surface apart from the roof being new, but also adopts the latest technologies and efficiency measures to make it among the most advanced and economical cars in its class.

Every diesel engine is now badged as a BlueMotion Technology product and is equipped with battery regeneration and Stop/Start systems as standard.  The result is that the entry-level 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS is capable of exceeding the economy of the outgoing BlueMotion model with a combined economy of 65.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km.  In turn, the new BlueMotion model, due to go on sale in early 2011, will return 68.8 mpg and emit 109 g/km of CO2.

Upgraded common rail diesel engines and gearboxes also feature, with a six-speed manual gearbox being fitted to the 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS engine for the first time.

Three trim levels will be available: S, SE and Sport.  Additional equipment added to the new Passat over the outgoing model includes an iPod interface and leather multifunction steering wheel for the S model.  The SE trim level gains an eight-speaker digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and the new driver fatigue detection system; while at the top of the range the new Sport model gains RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation.

All Passats will be fitted with six airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and WOKS (whiplash-optimised head restraints) as standard.

In addition, the new Passat promises to be the quietest and most refined iteration yet.  Thicker glass is fitted to the side windows while the windscreen features a thin plastic film sandwiched between two layers of the glass to help reduce noise transmission.  The front bulkhead incorporates increased sound deadening which, combined with the latest generation of common rail diesel and TSI petrol engines, aims to cut the engine noise entering the interior of the new Passat.

The best-selling version of the new Passat is forecast to be the SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS model; the Estate is expected to out-sell the saloon for the first time – accounting for around 53 per cent of total volume.

Pricelists for the new Passat saloon and Estate including a full list of specifications can be found at http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/order-a-brochure.

- Volkswagen UK

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A Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion driven by journalist Gavin Conway writing for The Sunday Times has set a new Guinness World Record for the distance travelled by a production passenger car on a single tank of fuel.

In setting the record the Passat BlueMotion travelled a distance of 1,531-miles, the equivalent of driving from London to Malaga, without needing to refuel or traveling from Los Angeles to New York with a single stop for fuel.

Powered by a Volkswagen 1.6-litre common rail TDI engine developing 105 PS, the Passat BlueMotion used for the record attempt was a standard production model. In common with the Polo and Golf BlueMotion models, the Passat is fitted with aerodynamic modifications to the bodywork, a lower ride height, Stop-Start, programmed battery charging, longer gearing and low rolling resistance tires. The result is a vehicle that is completely conventional to drive, service and maintain yet among the most efficient vehicles on the road today.

The record breaking feat was monitored throughout by independent representatives on behalf of the Guinness World Records organization. The amount of fuel used was accurately measured at 77.25 litres resulting in an overall fuel consumption of 90.0 miles per gallon, substantially exceeding the claimed combined figure of 64.2 mpg.

Now bring them to America!

- Volkswagen AG

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BorgWarner Turbo Technology Makes CNG-Powered Vehicles Fun to Drive

BorgWarner supplies turbochargers for the Opel 1.6-liter compressed natural gas (CNG) engine as well as the VW 1.4-liter TSI EcoFuel engine, the world’s first direct-injection turbocharged engine modified for CNG operation. Both engines achieve 150 horsepower with significant fuel economy and lower emissions.

‘Worldwide, nearly eight million vehicles on the road are equipped with CNG engines. Offering the combined advantages of clean combustion with low fuel costs, global demand is expected to grow steadily over the next five years,’ said Roger Wood, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems. ‘BorgWarner’s leading turbocharging technology makes CNG-powered vehicles exciting to drive. These engines allow drivers to enjoy both fuel economy and performance.’

CNG engines offer many advantages, such as producing about 70 percent less nitrous oxide (NOx) than diesel engines and about 25 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than gasoline engines. In addition, CNG engine emissions contain virtually no soot particles. Depending on current retail fuel prices, CNG engines can save up to 50% on fuel costs compared with a gasoline engine with the same power.*

However, previous CNG engines were slow to accelerate. Specially designed BorgWarner turbochargers boost performance for CNG engines, particularly in the lower engine speed range and at high loads, which now gives CNG engines the added advantage of performance to please today’s drivers.

The Opel Zafira ecoFlex Turbo uses 5.1 kg of natural gas per 62 miles (100 km) and emits only 144 g/km of CO2. This approximately equates to 31.2 MPG measured on a gasoline equivalency basis. With a maximum torque of 210 Nm available from 2,300 to 5,000 rpm, the engine delivers powerful performance, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100km/hr) in 11.5 seconds. To lower weight and guarantee fast response, BorgWarner worked with Opel to optimize the water-cooled turbocharger by integrating the turbocharger housing in the cast outlet manifold, refining flow geometry and improving materials for longer service life.

The VW Passat TSI EcoFuel uses 4.5 kg of natural gas over a distance of 62 miles (100 km) and emits only 119 g/km of CO2. This approximately equates to 35.4 MPG measured on a gasoline equivalency basis. With a maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/hr), the CNG-powered Passat accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100km/hr) in 9.7 seconds. To ensure higher boost pressure ratios for natural gas operation, BorgWarner equipped the turbocharger for VW with a smaller compressor and components specially designed to optimize air delivery and boost pressure for a CNG engine. The turbocharger enables the CNG engine to develop and maintain a torque of 220 Nm, up to an engine speed of 4,800 rpm.

BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems is a leading global producer of turbochargers, exhaust gas recirculation valves and other engine air management systems for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. These systems are designed to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance vehicle performance.

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 60 locations in 18 countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com.

TSI, Twincharger and EcoFuel are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries. ecoFlex is a registered trademark of the Opel company.

* Based on CNG and gasoline cost comparisons in Germany.

- BorgWarner Inc.

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Four 2010 Volkswagen models – the brand-leading Jetta sedan, the all-new Golf four-door, the stylish Passat sedan, and the nimble Tiguan – have each received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2010: The highest rating possible from the non-profit research organization. The annual award recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute’s front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only tests vehicles with electronic stability control (branded Electronic Stabilization Program® / ESP® on Volkswagen vehicles), and head protection airbags.
 
‘TOP SAFETY PICKS are the vehicles on the top rung for safety,’ said IIHS president, Adrian Lund. ‘These Volkswagen models are in an elite group that afford the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and have electronic stability control to keep drivers out of many crashes altogether.’
 
‘The safety of our cars is of the utmost concern, from the initial design stages, all the way through to the maintenance procedures at dealerships,’ said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen Group of America. ‘To have such an important group as the IIHS recognize not one, but a total of four Volkswagen vehicles with this prestigious award is a true testament to the care, safety, and precision we strive for with every Volkswagen we build.’
 
Beyond their fun-to-drive dynamics and fuel-efficient engines, every 2010 model year Volkswagen vehicle includes, as standard, Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System. Composed of more than 40 different features, the Prevent and Preserve Safety System helps keep drivers and passengers safe during normal driving conditions, and reduces the severity and consequences of a possible crash. The Jetta, Golf, Passat, and Tiguan also come standard with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), ESP, up to eight airbags (depending on model), and more.
 
In addition to the Prevent and Preserve Safety System, the entire 2010 Volkswagen lineup includes the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. With it, all of the scheduled maintenance for the vehicle, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty — three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
 
The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta sedan (starting at $17,605), Golf four-door (starting at $19,190), Passat sedan (starting at $26,995), and Tiguan (starting at $23,200) are available now at Volkswagen dealerships across the U.S.

- Volkswagen of America

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