It took the Volkswagen Passat about 40 years to become the vehicle we all know today. It all started when the Germans introduced the Dasher in the U.S. in 1974. Although named differently and equipped with some additional safety and emission-reducing features, the Dasher was the same as the Euro-spec Passat. The name was changed to Quantum in 1982, eight years before the Passat nameplate finally arrive in North America. 2014 brought the eighth-generation Passat in Europe, a vehicle that rides on the company’s new MQB platform and boasts a redesigned exterior and interior. Set to find its way Stateside in 2016, the new Passat also marks the introduction of a hybrid model, the first for the popular moniker.
Dubbed Passat GTE, the plug-in hybrid borrows the same powertrain launched with the Golf GTE, although output has been increased to cope with the increased curb weight of a midsize sedan and wagon. The bad news is the U.S. isn’t getting the GTE anytime soon, but the launch that’s set to take place at the 2014 Paris Motor Show is a good preview of what we’ll be getting in a few years.
Click past the jump to read more about the Volkswagen Passat GTE.
Volkswagen Passat GTE originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 30 September 2014 08:00 EST.
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