Autoblog

The rendering specialists at AutoBild have come up with images of the next Passat. It gets a bit more character in the twin swage lines running down the side of the body, a feature that is looking like the next big design thing. The front end continues the tripartite bumper design VW has recently taken up, but swaps the giant headlamps for some sleek, stylized numbers reminiscent of Audi.

We aren't sure about the sedan design. It looks like it could be a contender with character... or it could be a sedan just trying to be fancy. The wagon, however, looks pretty sexy. We'll know when we see it in the flesh, but the Passat CC is probably a good indicator in the mean time, so if you like that, then you'll probably like this.

[Source: AutoBild via German Car Blog]

A few of us around the Autoblog offices have made the case that the recently unveiled Volkswagen Passat CC should replace the current model and drop the "CC" suffix altogether. Both are fine looking vehicles, but there doesn't seem to be any need for another variant carrying the Passat name. Well, apparently VW agrees with part of that argument and has updated its consumer web site with information about the new CC, while dropping the Passat moniker altogether. It's a subtle marketing ploy that may or may not work, but will help to fill the gaping hole between the standard Passat and the soon-to-be-revived Phaeton nameplate.

Thanks for the tip Rob!

[Source: Volkswagen]

Click above image for gallery of live shots of this high mileage Passat from Geneva

The Passat Variant (aka Estate, Wagon, Family Truckster) TSI EcoFuel popped up in Geneva today, joining Volkswagen's other super efficient headline grabber, the Golf TDI Hybrid. This particular VW uses the company's first natural-gas powerplant. If you look closely, you'll see that VW put a mirror at the rear of the display to show the natural gas storage tank mounted where a regular old gas tank would normally be on petrol versions. And as we learned from the press release (after the jump), it doesn't sacrifice power in the name of economy. This Passat pumps out 110-kW / 150-PS from its TSI engine. That's a direct-injection turbo, in case you weren't paying attention. It should sip just 5.2 kilograms of gas for each 100 kilometres of motoring fun. Look for this "concept" to appear in sedan and wagon versions by the end of the year.

The press release after the jump and check the gallery below.

May I have the envelope, please? Not quite yet.

However... the finalists are:

• BMW 3-Series
• Honda Civic/Civic Hybrid
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport
• Lexus IS
• Mazda MX-5
• Mercedes-Benz M-Class
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Porsche Cayman S
• Suzuki Swift
• Volkswagen Passat

The finalists were selected by a jury of 46 international automotive journalists in a secret ballot. To pick the winner, the jury will rate each finalist in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. The winner will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April. (Last year's winner was the Audi A6.)

Three specialty awards will also be handed out by the WCOTY program: World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year. (Finalists in these categories are selected separately from the WCOTY finalists.) Check out the WCOTY website for details.