The Key Guys: 2016 Volkswagen Passat Launched in New York City

September 21, 2015

Amidst plummeting stock and other corporate chaos from the recent scandal involving Volkswagen’s TDI emissions testing fakery, a refreshed 2016 Passat was launched in New York.

From the mouth of Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn – “…we have totally screwed up.” The very contrite executive was frank in admitting the multinational corporation’s dishonesty, and pledged that the company would fix the problems the affected cars – all with 2.0 liter TDI engines. It’s a screw up that is now reverberating through Europe and Asia, and has triggered the resignation of CEO Martin Winterkorn. But business is business, and Mom always said that the best way to confront your problems is head-on, so Volkswagen did just that.

Most obvious in the refresh is ridged hood and thinner headlights, giving it a sleeker look. The four bar grille is more prominent and squared off, geometric fog lamps integrated below.

In back, chrome, chrome, chrome. North America likes chrome, and chrome accents were added between the tail lights and along the back bumper.

The 2016 model will be the first Passat available with an R-Line® version. Black accents, rocker panels… sporty.

You might want to wait until the diesel dust-up settles before investing in the 2.0 liter TDI, but the 1.8 liter four-cylinder and the 280 hp 3.6-liter VR6® engine are out of the scope of the emissions issue.

While pricing for the full 2016 Passat line will be released later in the year, the Chattanooga-produced base 1.8T S model starts at $22,440.