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11.16.2011
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT NAMED MOTOR TREND 2012 CAR OF THE YEAR
Volkswagen’s midsize sedan takes top honors among 35 new vehicle offerings
Herndon, VA / Los Angeles, CA -
Motor Trend, one of the world’s premier automotive authorities, today named the Volkswagen Passat the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year.
“Chassis, steering, ride, and handling all are tastiest within this segment,” said Motor Trend editor-in-chief, Angus MacKenzie. “It’s in this category the bigger Passat really demonstrates its engineering excellence.”
Along with German-engineered DNA, the Passat offers class-leading rear-seat legroom and standard Bluetooth® and automatic dual-zone climate control. The Passat is available with three powertrains and is the only midsize sedan with a clean diesel option in the lineup. When equipped with a manual transmission the TDI® Clean Diesel model is good for an EPA estimated 43 mpg on the highway and a range of 795 miles.
The 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year award was presented to Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen of America, during a press conference at the 2011 LA Auto Show.
“Volkswagen is extremely proud to receive this honor,” said Browning. “This recognition from Motor Trend is a testament to the engineering integrity of the Passat and validates our strategy of providing a US-built, German engineered mid-size sedan at a price in the heart of the mid-size segment.”
On sale since September 2011, the Passat is built at Volkswagen’s state-of-the art factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2012 Volkswagen models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stability Control. This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.
Notes:
This press release and images of the 2012 Passat are available at media.vw.com.
“TDI”, “VW”, “Volkswagen”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. “Carefree Maintenance” is a registered trademark of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Bluetooth” is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.
Fuel economy range is based on 43 highway mpg and an 18.5-gallon fuel tank.
“Chassis, steering, ride, and handling all are tastiest within this segment,” said Motor Trend editor-in-chief, Angus MacKenzie. “It’s in this category the bigger Passat really demonstrates its engineering excellence.”
Along with German-engineered DNA, the Passat offers class-leading rear-seat legroom and standard Bluetooth® and automatic dual-zone climate control. The Passat is available with three powertrains and is the only midsize sedan with a clean diesel option in the lineup. When equipped with a manual transmission the TDI® Clean Diesel model is good for an EPA estimated 43 mpg on the highway and a range of 795 miles.
The 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year award was presented to Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen of America, during a press conference at the 2011 LA Auto Show.
“Volkswagen is extremely proud to receive this honor,” said Browning. “This recognition from Motor Trend is a testament to the engineering integrity of the Passat and validates our strategy of providing a US-built, German engineered mid-size sedan at a price in the heart of the mid-size segment.”
On sale since September 2011, the Passat is built at Volkswagen’s state-of-the art factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2012 Volkswagen models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stability Control. This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.
Notes:
This press release and images of the 2012 Passat are available at media.vw.com.
“TDI”, “VW”, “Volkswagen”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. “Carefree Maintenance” is a registered trademark of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Bluetooth” is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.
Fuel economy range is based on 43 highway mpg and an 18.5-gallon fuel tank.
