A demanda por sedãs vem caindo à medida em que os SUVs e crossovers vão dominando as vendas de automóveis. A Volkswagen vendeu um total de 41.401 unidades do Passat nos EUA (cuja versão é específica para a América do Norte, diferente da europeia que é vendida no Brasil), número que representou uma queda de 32% em relação a 2017. Para tentar reverter esse cenário, ou ao menos amenizar a queda, o Passat americano chega renovado à linha 2020.
Mantendo a mesma plataforma do anterior (que não tem relação com a MQB do Passat europeu), o modelo traz novidades em termos de design, com uma grade frontal maior e mais imponente, além da linha do teto ligeiramente mais inclinada. Mas, como é típico da VW, não é uma mudança radical comparado ao antecessor.
A VW apimenta um pouco as coisas ao adotar LEDs nos faróis e lanternas de toda a gama, bem como ao adotar a grafia "Passat" bem grande na tampa traseira, como visto no Arteon. O Passat 2020 também traz rodas aro 17" na versão de entrada, podendo receber aros 18" ou 19" nos modelos mais caros.
Passando para a cabine, a VW promete mais equipamentos e uma nova central multimídia com conexões Apple CarPlay, Android Auto e MirrorLink. Materiais "premium" também estão no menu, além de três opções de tema para o interior, dependendo da versão. A versão de entrada, por exemplo, vem com bancos de tecido, enquanto a intermediária tem couro sintético e a de topo vem com couro Nappa legítimo.
Sob o capô, o Passat 2020 deixa de oferecer o V6 aspirado e foca a oferta exclusivamente no motor 2.0 TSI de 176 cv. Ao menos o torque foi ampliado de 25,5 para 28,6 kgfm graças a um novo conversor de torque e uma melhora no software. A transmissão automática é a mesma de antes, com 6 marchas.
Como esperado de um sedã desta classe, a lista de equipamentos é extensa. Inclui bancos aquecidos na dianteira e traseira, ar-condicionado digital de duas zonas, partida por botão e retrovisores externos aquecidos e rebatíveis eletricamente. Sensores de chuva e iluminação também são ofertados, bem como o ajuste elétrico para o banco do motorista e um sistema de som Fender.
O pacote de itens de segurança compreende alerta de colisão iminente e frenagem autônoma de emergência com reconhecimento de pedestres. Também há sistema de alerta de ponto cego e alerta de tráfego cruzado mesmo na versão de entrada. Como opcional, pode se levar piloto automático adaptativo, assistente de manutenção de faixa e assistente de estacionamento (park assist).
Após a estreia em Detroit, o Passat 2020 começará a ser fabricado em Chatanooga, no Tennessee, e deverá chegar às lojas dos EUA em meados do ano. Haverá uma versão de lançamento Limited que será oferecida por tempo, digamos, limitado.
2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT AT THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW New Passat offers more of what matters: bolder design, upgraded technology and enhanced access to convenience and driver-assistance features. • New exterior has dynamic coupe-like profile, dramatic “tornado” line, and dominant grille• Spacious interior features sophisticated new design and premium materials• 2.0-liter TSI® engine boosts torque to 207 lb-ft on most models• Standard features include: 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, full LED lighting, App-Connect, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert• Available driver-assistance features: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Park Assist• Available premium features include: heated rear seats, leather seating surfaces, the Adaptive Front-lighting System, and Fender® Premium Audio system• Comes with America’s Best Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty, with 6-years/72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) and transferable coverage Detroit, Mich. – Today, Volkswagen of America, Inc., unveiled the new 2020 Passat at the North AmericanInternational Auto Show. Eight years ago, Volkswagen completely overhauled the midsize sedan to caterspecifically to American buyers,with more interior space and creature comforts combined with the company’ssignature fun-to-drive nature. Building on the success of that model, today’s new Passat offers more of whatmatters: bolder design, upgraded technology, and enhanced access to convenience and driver-assistancefeatures. “Passat is the only midsize sedan to offer German driving dynamics at an affordable price and has longresonated with buyers for its combination of comfort, reliability and driving dynamics,” said Scott Keogh, CEO ofthe North American Region, Volkswagen. “With this new model, we’ve stepped up the style factor and upgraded the technology to make it even more attractive. In addition, we’ve made desirable convenience anddriver-assistance features more accessible.” While the 2020 Passat retains the underpinnings of the previous model, it has been completely restyled. Adynamic coupe-like roofline, dramatic “tornado” line, and dominant grille give the Passat a bold new look—atonce, elegant and sporty. Standard slim LEDheadlights and taillights, along with more prominent Passatbadging that runs the width of the trunk lid, give the car a more premium look. Standard 17-inch aluminum-alloywheels enhance the sophisticated design, and 18- and 19-inch wheels are available. Inside, the Passat combines a sophisticated new design and upgraded technology with the spacious cabin thatmade the outgoing model popular. The cockpit features a horizontal design, incorporating air vents that flowacross the dash in a style reminiscent of premium models. A new, more contemporary instrument panel hasbeen fitted, along with a new glass-covered infotainment touchscreen. Complementing the new interior designare new colors and premium materials. Three interior décor designs are available, based on trim. Volkswagen’sV-Tex leatherette and Nappa leather seating surfaces are available in addition to the standard cloth seats, andoffer four color options. Comfort, for both drivers and passengers, continues to be a key strength for the Passat. To help keep occupantscomfortable, Passat offers available heated front and rear seats, power driver’s seat with memory, and dual-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control. Convenience features include available power-folding, heated sidemirrors with memory, the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with range control and cornering lights, autodimming rearview mirror, remote start, rain-sensing wipers, KESSY® keyless access and push-button start, Voice Control, and Easy Open trunk. Infotainment technology gets a boost in the 2020 Passat. In addition to a new glass-covered touchscreen, MIB IIComposition Media infotainment with SiriusXM® radio comes standard (three-month trial subscription included)and Discover Media with navigation is available. Every Passat comes with standard Volkswagen Car-Net® AppConnect technology, which integrates compatible smartphones with the three major platforms—AppleCarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®—making select apps accessible from the infotainment screen. Foraudiophiles, top-of-the-line models feature the Fender® Premium Audio system. Technology upgrades don’t stop in the cabin—the new Passat offers a comprehensive suite of standard andavailable driver-assistance technology. Every Passat includes standard Forward Collision Warning andAutonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), now with Pedestrian Monitoring, as well as Blind Spot Monitor,and Rear Traffic Alert. Available driver-assistance features include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Lane Keeping Assist (Lane Assist), which can actively help the driver steer the car back into its lane should the vehicle start drifting into another lane without using the turn signal; and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist) includingPark Distance Control. In addition, Passat offers a combination of both passive and active safety systemsincluding the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. The new Passat continues to be powered by Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI®engine, making 174 horsepower. A new torque converter, combined with new software, boosts output to 207 pound-feet of torque on most models (a launch trim will carry over the previous model’s powertrain). The poweris taken to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic®. Every Passat model will come with the People First Warranty, America’s Best Bumper-to-Bumper LimitedWarranty. The warranty provides coverage for six-years or 72,000-miles (whichever occurs first), and thewarranty can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat will be available in four regular trim levels and a launch-only Limited model. Itisexpected to begin arriving at U.S. Volkswagen dealers in the Summer of 2019.
