Well we didn’t see this one coming, but we think we may be able to connect the dots a bit. Volkswagen will take the wraps off of what they are calling the “Passat Performance Concept” at this years Detroit Auto Show. The concept utilizes a 250hp version of the new forthcoming EA888 family 1.8l turbo-charged four-cylinder (1.8 TSI). 250hp is pretty stout from 1.8l of displacement in a factory concept. This means good things for the tunable nature of the new 1.8T base engine that will replace the 2.5l inline-5 later this year.
Given the conservative look of this performance concept, our guess is that we’re looking at the exterior of a future Passat R-Line model. The R-Line is a step below a full “R” model and is designed to offer exterior and interior cosmetics to make the model look sportier and, in some cases, offer performance enhancing features as well (sport suspension and other modifications) – similar to Audi’s S-Line. The Passat Performance Concept sports 19″ Luxor wheels (give us something better please…), a new front bumper with honey-comb inserts, and HID headlamps and LED tail lamps borrowed from the Chinese market Passat (about time!). Inside is two-tone leather seating, carbon fiber looking accent pieces and black headliner. The engine performance boost and sport suspension would be a nice touch to offer in a production model.
Detroit Auto Show Preview Photo Gallery
Detroit Auto Show Preview Photo Gallery
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