Report: VW to build stretched version of new Passat in China

China is getting its own version of the new Passat, and, big surprise, it's going to have a stretched wheelbase. China Car Times is reporting that the embiggened version of the next generation Passat will be 120mm (about 4.5 inches) longer than the sedan other markets will receive to allow for a roomier back seat.

The stretched version of the Passat makes sense because in the Chinese market, there exists a bigger group of customers more eager to be driven in luxury than to have a vehicle that is fun to drive. And since V-Dub's sedan is used in China as a livery vehicle, the extra 4.5 inches will come in handy. The stretch Passat, which will be built in China, will reportedly arrive in dealerships early in 2011.

[Source: China Car Times]