While Europeans have already seen their next-generation Passat, we in North America are still waiting for the formal introduction of what VW has been calling its “New Mid-Size Sedan.” We won’t have to wait long: Its debut is scheduled for the Detroit auto show but a month from now. But there’s nothing wrong with a (possible) sneak peek, is there? Indeed, the pictures you see here—which come by way of an Italian car blog, with no guarantees of their provenance—seem to be the first camo-free look at VW’s upcoming Accord fighter.
Much like the spy photos and renderings we’ve seen of the NMS thus far, the sedan seen here is plainly styled and looks much like the recently introduced Jetta. In fact, the only exterior detail of note is the Hoffmeister kink in the C-pillar, an elegant if common design touch that’s executed here in a way that reminds a bit of the C-pillar on the Infiniti M.
Customers should be able to choose from VW’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, the firm’s erudite 2.0-liter diesel four, and the corporate 2.0-liter gasoline-drinking turbocharged four, which appears in everything from the GTI to the Audi A4. VW has hinted at the possibility of a 1.8-liter engine from the latter’s European engine lineup, as well, but it seems unlikely.
This 2012 Passat—or whatever it’s eventually called—will be Volkswagen’s attempt to challenge mainstream family sedans like the Accord, Sonata, and Camry head to head, delivering more space at a much lower price than did the outgoing Passat. This new model is expected to start at around $20,000, while the 2010 Passat required a minimum of $28,000 for the honor of taking one home.
You can see two more images of this VW at jokeforblog.blogspot.com, and we’ll have official NMS pictures and specs in the coming weeks.
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