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Spyshots: Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018

About a generation of cars ago, Volkswagen didn't do facelifts. But the German automaker is now following up the Golf 7.5 with an updated Passat. Is this going to be the Passat 8.5 or the B8.5? Better coin those phrases before everybody else figures it out.
Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018 16 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018Volkswagen Passat 8.5 Facelift Starts Testing, Will Debut in 2018
The current generation of the Passat was introduced in November 2014 in Continental Europe and in January 2015 in RHD markets like Britain. At the time, it was the biggest car based on the MQB platform, though the American Atlas crossover now dwarfs it.

These are the first spyshots of the Passat 8.5. However, we've known about it since March. As rumored, the facelift is going to be relatively major, with styling directly copying the Arteon four-door coupe.

That's why the new Passat grille looks so sport, and it connects to headlights that put the individual focus on each LED projector. The front bumper looks sportier and less geometric.

What's not to like? Well, there's the fake exhaust tips, which are just pieces of chrome. But the Passat B8 already had those, so we can't be too upset about it.

“The redesigned Passat is on the starting blocks for Europe. As usual, the Passat will also be available as Variant and hybrid models. And at the end of the year, our compact city SUV, the T-Cross, is to follow," said Chairman Herbert Diess during the annual press conference.

New engines are also going to be added during the facelift. The base 1.4 TSI will be switched out in favor of the 1.5 TSI, which will have either 130 and 150 HP. Due to the latest emissions regulations, the popular Passat BlueMotion will use a 1.5 TSI with hybrid assist instead of the 1.6 TDI.

Volkswagen is working on a new 2.0 TDI that will have up to 204 HP, but it's not yet clear if this will be available in the Passat right after the facelift. It's earmarked for the Golf 8, which comes out next year, so production of the unit might start in 2019 as well.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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