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Sunday, January 13, 2013
Volkswagen’s foremost Detroit debutante is a concept version of its impending three-row crossover SUV, a vehicle based on the Passat and, like that sedan, designed for American mass consumption. For a more-focused audience—enthusiasts—VW will show this Passat Performance concept, a precursor to a sporty production model.
So what’s the idea behind introducing a performance variant that won’t even be the power player in its own family? Our hypothesis: This car’s mission is to introduce the direct-injected 1.8T to the Passat, a high-volume car of which nearly 120,000 were sold in the U.S. last year. With a new plant coming online in Silao, Mexico, to build the engine, and the Beetle and bestselling Jetta assembly lines to feed, it may take some time for Volkswagen to be able to meet demand. It would also allow for a more controlled rollout; should there be teething problems with the Mexican-sourced 1.8T in the Passat, a smaller initial run would confine any potential conflagration to fewer—and, as enthusiasts, likely more patient—customers.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
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