VW News: Volkswagen Cuts Down Passat Lineup for 2019

[William Maley]

If you're planning on picking up a 2019 Volkswagen Passat, then you might be disappointed by the limited amount on configurations on offer.

The Car Connection reports that Volkswagen will be cutting down the 2019 Passat lineup to just two models - the Wolfsburg Edition and SE R-Line.

Wolfsburg Edition: 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring as standard. A sunroof and 18-inch wheels are optional.
SE R-Line: LED lighting, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane keep assist, navigation, and Fender audio system.

Along with the drop in trims, the 280 horsepower V6 will be going away in 2019. This leaves the turbo 2.0L four-cylinder and six-speed automatic as the sole powertrain choice.

We're not sure as to why Volkswagen is slicing up the Passat lineup. Our two possible guesses is the declining sales of midsize sedans or Volkswagen readying a next-generation Passat that could arrive as early as 2020.

No word on pricing or on-sale date.

Source: The Car Connection

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[riviera74]

Another (near) casualty of the crossover wars.  Sad.

[David]

Two be expected, Passat sales are not super here and to build and support a V6 in a world where taxation stupidity is on the size of the engine is also stupid, so they build for Europe and China and the rest of the world gets left over's.

Maybe they will offer a 300hp hybrid as a replacement to the V6. 🤷‍♂️

[Frisky Dingo]

With an all-new Passat right around the corner riding on MQB, this is not only surprising, this is a good move. Passat sales have been dropping sharply. This culls the lineup to 2 nice trims that will be attractive to buyers.

[David]

So based on other sites, seems the lone 2.0T 4 banger puts out the following specs:

 2.-liter turbo diesel engine which could create 236 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque

Gas is 201hp but no info on lb-ft of torque.

[regfootball]

Passats can be had cheaply brand new.  Forward the clock 10-12 months from now and you'll get a nicely equipped Passat Wolfsburg with blind spot and AEB for not much more than 22-23k.

And yet GM still still wants to add expensive packages to all its brands to have any of these simple items like blind spot monitoring.

[ccap41]

I thought this had the 1.8T and 3.6 V6..? Is the 2.0T new to the Passat? 

14 hours ago, regfootball said:

Passats can be had cheaply brand new.  Forward the clock 10-12 months from now and you'll get a nicely equipped Passat Wolfsburg with blind spot and AEB for not much more than 22-23k.

And yet GM still still wants to add expensive packages to all its brands to have any of these simple items like blind spot monitoring.

A buddy of mine bought a 2017 SE with the lighting package as a dealer used for $18,500 with only 7600 miles on it. Heck of a price. 

[William Maley]

3 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I thought this had the 1.8T and 3.6 V6..? Is the 2.0T new to the Passat? 

Nope, the 2.0T was introduced in 2018 as a replacement for the 1.8T. Specs are 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet.

[ccap41]

7 minutes ago, William Maley said:

Nope, the 2.0T was introduced in 2018 as a replacement for the 1.8T. Specs are 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet.

Weird they would replace the 1.8T with this with almost identical numbers.

1.8T: 170hp @ 6200RPM - 184tq @1500RPM

Rated: 25/38mpg

2.0T: 174hp @ 5000RPM - 184tq @ 1500RPM

Rated: 25/36mpg

[David]

57 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Weird they would replace the 1.8T with this with almost identical numbers.

1.8T: 170hp @ 6200RPM - 184tq @1500RPM

Rated: 25/38mpg

2.0T: 174hp @ 5000RPM - 184tq @ 1500RPM

Rated: 25/36mpg

Makes me wonder if they are using up production stock as they retire old platforms and gets ready for the Global MQB platform and power trains.

[regfootball]

7 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Weird they would replace the 1.8T with this with almost identical numbers.

1.8T: 170hp @ 6200RPM - 184tq @1500RPM

Rated: 25/38mpg

2.0T: 174hp @ 5000RPM - 184tq @ 1500RPM

Rated: 25/36mpg

the 2.0 doesn't up nominal power but is a slight bit faster, but the main change is i think its atkinson cycle.

 

https://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/43112/volkswagen-s-new-2.0t-potentially-the-engine-of-the-year/

 

correction, not any faster.

 

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-volkswagen-passat-20t-test-review

 

Verdict: Engine revisions do not elevate this sedan above the mundane middle.

Edited September 7, 2018 by regfootball

[smk4565]

The Passat is pretty boring and mundane, I would have to agree with Car and Driver on that.

As far as a V6 goes, no surprise, moving forward I think if you want a V6 it will only be found in luxury cars and full size SUVs.  The Altima is dropping it's V6 also.   

[daves87rs]

Surprised if they even keep selling it in the US...