December 14, 2004 - The launch will follow in the first European countries in March, after which the sixth generation of the bestselling model--more than 13 million Passats have been sold to date-- will also be launched on the other continents.

The new Passat is a car which is just as stylish as it is functional, comfortable and well thought-out. Volkswagen has not only redesigned the major features - the engines, running gear and the body. To improve the mobile lifestyle, the cleverly-designed functional elements make all the difference. There are many examples of this: the Bluetooth telephone unit, the high-quality sound system, the sporty but comfortable long-distance seats, the intelligent starting and locking system, the electronic parking brake, automatic distance control, draught-free Climatronic ventilation or simply the very stylish interior and exterior. That is the new Passat.

Its striking design shows stylish lines, is extremely distinctive and shows a progressive brand image with a chrome shield-shaped radiator grille - the new face. The much-acclaimed Concept R (Roadster) and Concept C (Cabriolet-Coup�) showed the stylistic direction for this VW face of the future. The Passat is the first production vehicle to now show these characteristics.

The rear section of the Passat is characterised by fast responding LED rear lights which reproduce the styling of the headlights with a round main element.

Its is traditional in terms of the series that the new Passat offers a spacious interior close to that offered by the luxury-class. Thanks to the transversely-mounted engines and the slightly larger body dimensions however, this applies now more than ever. In detail, the new Passat is 4.77 meters long (+ 62 mm), 1.82 meters wide (+ 74 mm) and 1.47 meters tall (+ 10 mm).

Its wheelbase measures 2.71 meters (+ 6 mm); the luggage compartment offers a maximum volume of 565 liters (+ 90 liters). Another dimension is particularly exciting however: the static torsional rigidity. Its value is 57 percent greater than that of its already very good predecessor and represents the best value in its class.

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