New VW Passat to Go on Sale in April

Volkswagen presented the new midsize sedan called Passat at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and, although it has provided most details of the new vehicle, no specific information regarding the launch date were released. However, a report issued today claims that India could receive the new Passat as soon as this April, which means the rest of the world will most likely get to see the new car at about the same date.

The new Passat is one of the models responsible for the way the German brand will perform in the United States, as the company said that it will most likely focus on its existing lineup, without new product launches to occur in the future.

"We've got a pretty broad lineup today, so we are very much focused on more deeply penetrating the segments we're in," CEO Jonathan Browning told the Automotive News World Congress. "Somewhere along the way, frankly, we lost our bearings in this market and we failed to build on that emotional equity and became more of a marginal brand."

The Passat is the first model to be manufactured by Volkswagen's Chattanooga production facility in the United States and will be powered by either a a range topping VR6 which generates 280 hp (controlled by a standard dual clutch transmission), a five-cylinder petrol which develops 170 ps or a Clean Diesel (TDI) good for 140 ps.

Volkswagen promises well-equipped configurations, as the entry-level version will feature a tire pressure monitoring system, ESP electronic stabilization program, ABS with braking assistant, Hill Climb Assist and going all the way to six airbags and outside temperature display with frost warning.