Taking advantage of the slow-moving car market in Europe, as well as the strength of the Australian dollar against the euro, the local Volkswagen importer has further improved the value offered by the Passat.
Volkswagen has almost doubled its overall sales in Australia in the past three years thanks to a strong marketing push and managing director, Anke Koeckler, is determined to keep the ball rolling. Hence the increased value in the Passat range.
During a lunchtime briefing with Ms Koeckler she said the big push in the next 12 months will be on the all-new Golf, now into its seventh generation.
But back to the Passat. Every model will now come standard with satellite navigation. The Volkswagen RNS510 system has a high-resolution touch screen display in the increasingly popular 16:9 format. It offers the choice between 2D, topographical and 3D map views.
Another standard feature is a rear view camera. The convenience of powered opening and closing of the tailgate now is standard equipment on all Passat station wagons.
Standard steering wheel gearshift paddles in both the sedan and wagon make gear choice simpler in the Volkswagen Passat V6 FSI.
Despite this added equipment, valued at several thousand dollars, prices for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat remain unchanged.
Prices start at $38,990, not including government or dealer delivery charges.
