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Volkswagen Drops Passat V6 Engine, Three Trim Levels In the United States

Curious how many Passat models were sold in August 2018 in the United States of America? 3,873 is the answer. Toyota and Honda are laughing at this result, more so if you bear in mind the Camry and Accord sold 30,141 and 26,725 examples.
2018 Volkswagen Passat GT 13 photos
Photo: Newspress USA
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The problem with the Passat in the U.S. is that it’s as old as dirt. Introduced in 2011 and underpinned by a different platform from the MQB used by the European model, the Passat is losing ground at an alarming pace. At $22,995, it isn’t too far off the Camry ($23,845) and Accord ($23,570) either.

Two more problems come in the form of the lack of an electrified powertrain option and the lackluster cabin. As unattractive as it is, the Passat takes a turn for the worst for the 2019 model year, losing the 3.6-liter narrow-angle V6 engine (280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque).

The 2.0-liter TSI is now the norm, paired to a six-speed automatic instead of a dual-clutch transmission as it was the case with the V6. According to The Car Connection, the 2019 Volkswagen Passat will come in two trim levels, losing the S, SEL, and sportier-handling GT.

Manufactured in Chattanooga, Tennessee alongside the MQB-based Atlas sport utility vehicle, the Passat as we know it comes with 17-inch alloys, keyless ignition, synthetic leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Wolfsburg Edition, which is the entry-level trim, can be optioned with a moonroof and 18-inch wheels.

Higher up, the SE R-Line flaunts LED for the headlamps and taillamps, satellite navigation for the infotainment system, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and Fender-branded speakers.

2019 is the final model year of this generation of the Passat in North America. The heir-apparent will arrive on the MQB vehicle architecture, borrowing most of the styling and technological features from the European variant.

The Chattanooga plant is also where Volkswagen will add the Atlas Cross Sport into production, coming in 2019 for the 2020 model year with seating for five. There’s also talk of the Tanoak concept making it into production as a rival for the Honda Ridgeline unibody pickup truck, but based on how the results posted by Volkswagen in the United States in the past couple of years, chances are this project will remain on the drawing board.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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