VW's Next Wave

As sales and profits have been hit hard in the U.S. by the weak dollar, Volkswagen is fighting back by introducing a fleet of new cars over the next 18 months. The 2006 Jetta and Passats arrive next year, and the 2007 Gen V Golf hits in late 2006.

All are critically important models for the company's U.S. operation as VW chief Bernd Pischetsrieder moves to slash costs by $2.6 billion over the next two years. Styling upgrades aside, the most notable change is the Passat's move to a platform that shares many components with the new Golf (see our "Hot Drive" of the new GTI in the December 2004 issue of Motor Trend magazine). That means transverse engines instead of the longitudinal powertrains of the current car and big cost savings as combined Passat/Jetta sales should top one million units a year.

PASSAT
Launches fall 2005 on a stretched Golf/Jetta platform, codenamed PQ46, with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs than on the current car. Sheetmetal is conservative but elegant--note the taut surfacing in the profile, with character lines running horizontally, above the door handles and above the rocker panels. A prominent trunklid hints at subtle Bangle-esque influences.

The costly W8 engine is gone, and the 1.8-liter turbocharged five-valve four will be replaced with the 200-horsepower FSI (fuel stratified injection) turbocharged 2.0-liter four-valve that makes its debut in the new GTI. The 2.8-liter V-6 probably will be replaced with a 3.0-liter, and the upcoming 3.6-liter VR6 will be the top engine.