Volkswagen releases another sketchy look at forthcoming 2011 mid-size sedan
2011 Volkswagen NMS Sketch No. 2 – Click above to enlarge
Volkswagen has released another rendering of its new mid-size sedan (appropriately dubbed NMS) before its official unveiling late next year, and while it's a clearer indication of what to expect when the wraps come off, it doesn't divulge anything we haven't seen before.
Although details are sketchy (*rimshot*), we know the new sedan will be built at VW's new Chattanooga, Tenn. plant in the spring of 2011 and go on sale later that year as a 2012 model. The plant is expected to churn out around 100,000 units each year, with the majority of the sedans finding homes in U.S. garages. However, VW plants to export the Passat replacement outside of North America.
As far as content and specs are concerned, don't be surprised to find VW's turbocharged 2.0-liter underhood in the base model, with a V6 option available on higher-spec trims. Bluetooth integration and other tech-rich features are a given, and naturally, being a product bound for U.S. consumers, scads of cupholders ought to be available to fit our 64-ounce Big Gulps.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Although details are sketchy (*rimshot*), we know the new sedan will be built at VW's new Chattanooga, Tenn. plant in the spring of 2011 and go on sale later that year as a 2012 model. The plant is expected to churn out around 100,000 units each year, with the majority of the sedans finding homes in U.S. garages. However, VW plants to export the Passat replacement outside of North America.
As far as content and specs are concerned, don't be surprised to find VW's turbocharged 2.0-liter underhood in the base model, with a V6 option available on higher-spec trims. Bluetooth integration and other tech-rich features are a given, and naturally, being a product bound for U.S. consumers, scads of cupholders ought to be available to fit our 64-ounce Big Gulps.
[Source: Volkswagen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
anti-believer 3:33PM (10/28/2009)
Looks boring.
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Nellydesign 8:39AM (10/29/2009)
My thought EXACTLY. It's like they hit the "sedan" button on their automated sketch producer. There is absolutely nothing new or exciting in this design.
Nellydesign 8:45AM (10/29/2009)
What gets me is if the CONCEPT SKETCH is boring then how much worse is the actual production car going to be. Snoozefest.
Cartrash 3:38PM (10/28/2009)
Wow, The new VW 4 door Camaro.
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Ligor 5:19PM (10/29/2009)
more of a ford Fusion with a VW grill slapped on it
the side profile is a dead ringer for the Fusion
humppa4ever 3:38PM (10/28/2009)
Is fine.
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James 3:56PM (10/28/2009)
VW needs this NMS to boost the otherwise expensive German made Passat line...
Ironically, the tad more expensive coupe style Passat CC now outsells the regular Passat thru Sept of this year...15,187 CC's vs 9,163 for the regular Passat.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091019/CARNEWS/910199998
montoym 4:09PM (10/28/2009)
It's not really surprising at all. VW has neutered the Passat lineup and is shifting their focus on the CC as the new Passat so to speak.
You are very limited on options for the Passat currently, yet you can get a CC configured just about any way you want.
Look for the Passat to leave the lineup completely in the not-so-distant future. Especially with this talk of the NMS jumping right into the market that the Passat best fit into. The CC is more like VW's CLS and will slot higher in the lineup than the NMS will. That leaves little room or reason for the Passat.
zamafir 4:37PM (10/28/2009)
@James - why ironic? VW followed the formula Merecedes used. Car not selling? Make it a 'coupe'. Just as the CLS has done wonders for Mercedes, so too has the CC done wonders for VW.
James 5:11PM (10/28/2009)
@ zamafir,
"Just as the CLS has done wonders for Mercedes, so too has the CC done wonders for VW."
Yeah, for $605 more the Passat CC gets you more bang for your buck...
Hope this sharp rendering of an updated Passat CC comes into fruition...in patent Walter da Silva style.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2011-passatcc-facelift-rendering-01.jpg
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/45142/volkswagen-passat-cc-update-and-eos-update-previewed/
zamafir 6:17PM (10/28/2009)
"Yeah, for $605 more the Passat CC gets you more bang for your buck..."
$605 more? bang for your buck? what's any of that got to do with the CC being a success just as the CLS was, and selling tons more than the car it is based on? Why even quote me if you're not even responding to the quote.
Thomas 3:41PM (10/28/2009)
Looks like the tires are flat.
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RG 3:42PM (10/28/2009)
Wow, it also looks like it incorporates tire-less technology. What a breakthrough!!!
Although if the sketch is any indicator, it easily gets stuck in the snow.
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thipps 3:54PM (10/28/2009)
can people just get over being skeptical over car sketches. im a designer. the point of this sketch is to set a theme and a emotion.
i cant tell you how annoying it is that EVERY single time AB post a sketch or a students design people like yourself critique there style when you have absolutely no clue what your talking about. and stop taking things so literal.
RG 4:00PM (10/28/2009)
thipps:
"stop taking things so literal."
You should take some of your own advice.
I was debating putting the "/sarcasm" but thought against it because I thought people would pick up on the obvious sarcasm in my comment.
I seemed to have given people like yourself too much credit.
/serious
thipps 4:12PM (10/28/2009)
Well i apologize for that and yes i understand. it just gripes me when i see people posting on sketches and they always seem to comment on the tire size.
well i guess it was just a miss understanding.
Redline 3:43PM (10/28/2009)
New Passat?
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Citizen Chin 3:44PM (10/28/2009)
Looks quite derivative of the CC. The windshield is way too steeply raked. Overall it's nice, but I expected a bit more of a departure from the current VW theme.
http://escapefromjersey.blogspot.com/
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montoym 3:46PM (10/28/2009)
Kind of looks like a shrunk-down Phaeton. I know this gives hardly any indication as to the final shapre, but I don't think that would be a bad way to go.
Considering how conservatively-styled the competition is(Camry, Accord, Malibu, etc.), it seems that a like-sized competitor from VW would fit right in.
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I3ziko 3:52PM (10/28/2009)
needs more chrome and more cupholders!
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