Face-lifted Passat

[mcervantes]

http://www.vwvortex.com/resources/gallery/vw/01_passat/images/small/06.jpg
Just saw the 2001.5 [??] Passat and I don't know what to say. Well.... the headlights look too small, the grille too big, and the taillights are kinda weird. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif But really, I don't know if I like it or not. What do you guys think? Click here for more Passat photos. (http://www.vwvortex.com/resources/gallery/vw/01_passat/index.html)

mikecervantes

[Max Ima]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mcervantes:
[IMG]What do you guys think? Click here for more Passat photos. (http://www.vwvortex.com/resources/gallery/vw/01_passat/index.html)

mikecervantes<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
It's still a really nice sedan. I do feel that it's going upmarket a bit with those smaller headlights and chrome around the grille. For a brand that is som youth-oriented, I have a hard time seeing where they're going with this design and the V12 in the near future.

[Infiniti]

I think it looks really cool. The taillamps are different from the normal wraparounds and the clear lense look adds sport appeal to it. I hate to say it but VW is really doing what the market is looking for; with all of their cars. But what do I know, Im 16. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[mcervantes]

I think I like the current Passat better than this one. The only thing I would ask for VW to do to the current one is tweak the headlights alittle and get rid of the black trim on the bottom of the car. The current Passat and A4 are two cars that could make me choose something other than Nissan.

But this one seems alittle weird to me. I think they slapped a little too much chrome on. I'd take the chrome that rings the side windows and the lower part of the grille off, make the grille a little smaller and lower it, take off that black trim around the bottom, and then I'd have a car that would make it tough for me to pick the Maxima. Oh, VW would have to work on their electrical reliability too.

[mcervantes]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Max Ima:
For a brand that is som youth-oriented, I have a hard time seeing where they're going with this design and the V12 in the near future. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. It seems the guy who's running VW [forgot his name] wants to turn them into a luxury brand. I wonder if anyone is going to buy his 50k+ VW sedan.... And what about Audi? Are they going to turn Audi into a super-luxury brand? They should just stick to what they're good at- good looking, high quality cars with a fairly reasonable price.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The Passat is trying to be in a segment by itself. Getting too expensive and being an "in between" segment car. Outclasses the Camry and Accord, falls short in the 3 series and C-class segment. No matter how good the current Passat, 3-5 years the car will not survive unless the owner dumps all his/her hard earned cash on the vehicle. Build a reliable car VW.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

http://www.vwvortex.com/resources/gallery/vw/01_passat/images/large/07.jpg

well i think those tailights are kinda odd to me, if they removed the clear section i think it would look better. I like the Passat's styling, and these pictures look alright too. but what I get sick of is all the magazines calling every Japanese car bland when a Passat is just as bland.

you know, it reminds me of a mazda protege.

[This message has been edited by idle573 (edited 08-23-2000).]

[Max Ima]

A German Protege, Indeed!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

the front end screams Audi in my opinion. the rear looks like a Protege like someone else said. overall i think it's an improvement. i like how the bumper and grille come together, i just think the headlights should be a little bigger
http://www.vwvortex.com/resources/gallery/vw/01_passat/images/large/08.jpg

[This message has been edited by nsuguy (edited 08-23-2000).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mcervantes:
I agree. It seems the guy who's running VW [forgot his name] wants to turn them into a luxury brand. I wonder if anyone is going to buy his 50k+ VW sedan.... And what about Audi? Are they going to turn Audi into a super-luxury brand? They should just stick to what they're good at- good looking, high quality cars with a fairly reasonable price.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ferdinand Piech wants VW to rival Mercedes by offering similar performance for 75% of the price whether sportier Audi will take on BMW.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

That looks too much like an Audi A6 to me... Sometimes I really wonder what VW/Audi is doing over there... I'm really going to miss those sporty hatchbacks once they're really gone.... OH WAIT!! They're already gone!! http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/frown.gif