When is the next Passat due

[TuNeS]

Hi,

My Skoda Octavia vRS is now 3.5 years old and I am looking into replacing it. Naturally, I am looking at the B7 Passat as its a little bigger. However, I don't want to buy one and then find out the shape changes drastically next year and I end up with the old shape so quickly.

From what I can tell the B7 went on sale mid 2011. Was the B7 a mojor upgrade or only a small upgrade from the B6. I would expect a new Passat to arrive in 2014 if this is the case.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[kleung]

From what I can tell the B7 went on sale mid 2011. Was the B7 a mojor upgrade or only a small upgrade from the B6. I would expect a new Passat to arrive in 2014 if this is the case.

The B7 is essentially a facelift. The drivetrains are essentially unchanged, the nose and tails have been changed around a bit, and some cosmetic changes in the interior, but it's still much the same as the old B6 Passat.

It did get more features, electronic gizmos and safety gear as standard. For example, the B7 introduced seat belt indicators for each of the rear seats, fatigue detection, city emergency braking etc.

Additionally, 2013 models get standard dead cow upholstery across the board, along with satnav, bluetooth, reversing camera. Wagons also got electric tailgates as standard equipment.

So in answer to your question, it's not a major upgrade in terms of the platform, but it got significantly more fruit as standard fitment. Speaking of fruit, I wonder if VW will ever bring KESSY here?

[booba]

It is an option on EOS and standard on CC. They are taking their sweet time about it considering the other manufacturers such as nissan have it as standard for a while now.

I wonder if VW will ever bring KESSY here?

[Marakai]

On the German VW forum I frequent, the talk is about the B8 in 2014. However what that means regarding when and with what features it will show in Australia is anybody's guess. Just look at the options that you can get in Germany versus here for the B7 or Alltrack.