Volkswagen Announces Pricing for 2016 Passat Made in Chattanooga
The company announced on Monday taht the base model starts at $22,440, which is the same as the 2015.
VW’s statement says that if you factor in new content in the new car, you are getting a $1,315 deal.
“The 2016 Passat builds upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor and offers more aggressive styling, a more premium interior, and a host of newly available driver assistance, connectivity, and convenience features,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “We are pleased to announce that our customers will get all these new features and standard equipment for the same price level as the previous model."
To begin with, the 2016 Passat offers two engine options: the 1.8-liter TSI® turbocharged and direct-injection four cylinder or a 3.6-liter VR6®.
The 1.8-liter engine offers 170 horsepower and a stout 184 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated highway fuel economy is 38 mpg, an improvement of 2 mpg over the 2015 model.
The 2016 Passat also offers Volkswagen’s second-generation “modular infotainment platform”, also known as MIB II.
The system features touchscreens as standard equipment on all models.
And in most models, the display uses a touch sensor like what you see in smartphones and tablets that allow swiping and pinching the screen.
For the first time, Volkswagen is offering a sporty model in the U.S. called the R-Line. Prices start at $23,975.
The SE version also retains the 2015 base price, starting at $26,280.
The top of the line is the SEL Premium which starts at $34,270.
But will it be enough?
Holding the line on prices would normally help sales, but the brand is taking a huge hit in the emissions scandal.
Critics say VW will have to cut prices to overcome the negative publicity in the U.S.
Volkswagen did not even mention the 2.0 TDI diesel version of the Passat in Monday’s announcement.
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