Volkswagen has unveiled the 2011 Passat model at the Paris motor show.

The most distinguishing design feature of the new Passat, which Volkswagen is calling the 7th generation of the model in its press release, is a resculpted front face very similar to that of the German automaker's flagship Phaeton luxury sedan.

Typical of VW, the new Passat is being offer with an array of 10 different engines ranging in power from 105 PS (77 kW) to 300 PS (220 kW). The entry-level diesel, the 1.6 TDI with 105 PS and 250 Nm, delivers improved fuel-economy, now with a rating of 4.2 liters/100 km and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km, thanks to the stop/start system becoming standard for diesels in all trim levels.

The eco-numbers are similarly competitive, if not the benchmarks of their class, on the petrol side, with the 1.4 TSI with 122 PS (90 kW) with BlueMotion Technology (also including a stop/start system) rating at 5.8 liters/100 km and a CO2 value of 138 g/km.

The Passat will continue to feature the same three equipment levels - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. New equipment offerings on the model include Dynamic Light Assist, first introduced in the new Touareg, which can use high-beams for better road lighting while avoiding glare for oncoming drivers through the use of a smart camera which tells the lighting system to adjusting the direction of the light.

Also new is the XDS electronic transverse differential lock - seen first on the Golf GTI - which helps improve traction in the curves.

The new VW Passat goes on sale in Europe starting in mid-November.





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