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Volkswagen ‘NMS’ Revealed As North American Passat

Volkswagen has at least revealed the production version of its long-teased 'NMS' (New Medium Sedan), to be sold in North America as the next-generation Passat.

Don't expect to see it in Australia, however. As revealed last week, Volkswa


Volkswagen has at least revealed the production version of its long-teased 'NMS' (New Medium Sedan), to be sold in North America as the next-generation Passat.

Don't expect to see it in Australia, however. As revealed last week, Volkswagen Australia - and even the brand's European-market office - has committed to the updated version of the current Passat, unveiled late last year.

Designed specifically for the North American market, where the demand for a larger and more affordable offering led to the development of this unique model, the American Passat will compete with the likes of the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

Measuring 4868mm long, the American Passat is a huge 99mm longer than its European and Australian counterpart. Similarly, its wheelbase has grown by 91mm, while overall width has increased by 13mm.

Power for the American Passat will be provided by a choice of powertrains including one diesel and two petrol engines. Among these engines will be a 125kW 2.5 litre five-cylinder petrol engine - a powertrain used exclusively in the Americas and the Middle East. Volkswagen expects around two-thirds of sales to be for this engine.

Topping the Passat's engine range will be Volkswagen's 3.6 litre V6 petrol engine, producing 206kW and 350kW.

Six-speed manual and DSG automatic transmissions will be offered with the diesel and 2.5 litre petrol engines, while the petrol V6 will be offered with a six-speed DSG auto only.

The US-market Passat will be manufactured at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant, in the US state of Tennessee. 

Australia

In Australia, the updated seventh-generation Passat - the same model offered in Europe - is expected to make its local debut in the second quarter of this year. 

Like the new Golf 6, the Passat, while based on the current Passat's B6 platform, has been extensively remodelled. But for the roof, which carries over virtually unchanged, every panel of the updated Passat is brand-new.

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