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VW promises Passat facelift among 2016 changes

Volkswagen has got a whole raft of changes in store for the 2016 model year. Some of those changes are already known, but others are altogether new developments. The biggest news is that the German automaker will roll out a facelifted version of the Passat for 2016. The revised sedan, specific to the North American market, will adopt new sheetmetal, wheels, and lights at both ends. It will also receive a reworked interior with a more premium look and feel and a new instrument panel. It's set to arrive in the fall, with further details to "follow closer to launch." A number of trim-level adjustments are also being applied across the lineup. There'll be a new value-proposition Beetle 1.8T S model, a simplified array of trims for the rest of the Beetle and Tiguan lines, and new Trend and R-Line models for the CC. Lest you think it was finally gone, the Eos cabriolet is also sticking around for another model year in a limited capacity. In addition to these developments, VW is also rolling out a raft of new technologies across a wide variety of models. These include new infotainment features and safety systems, many of which launched on the new Touareg. As we recently reported, there's also a new version of the Jetta GLI, a new 1.4-liter turbo engine for other versions of the Jetta, and a more accessible version of the battery-powered e-Golf as well. Delve into the press release below for a full run-down of all the changes in store for Das Auto brand.

Volkswagen C Coupe GTE bows in Shanghai

Following the debut of the slick, semi-aggressive Sport Coupe GTE concept in Geneva, Volkswagen is bringing something a bit more grandiose to the Shanghai Motor Show. It's called the C Coupe GTE, and it points the way forward for Volkswagen's large sedans – in China, at least. The C Coupe GTE is low and long, and rides on the same Volkswagen MLB platform that underpins vehicles like the Audi A6. Volkswagen's head of design, Klaus Bischoff, says "the C Coupe GTE very clearly shows the new 'face' of top Volkswagen sedans for the first time," so get used to this design. We think it's pretty attractive, and a car like this could easily work as an upper-tier CC replacement. But don't get your hopes up too much – VW USA says this concept was "designed chiefly for the Chinese market." That's evident inside, where the C Coupe boasts a four-passenger seating configuration with luxurious accommodations for folks in back. In fact, backseat riders can share data with the driver via the car's infotainment system. "Information about the manager's appointments can be transferred via a smartphone to the infotainment system," says Volkswagen. "Parallel to this, the appointment list also serves to plan the navigation route for the day. However, the chauffeur only has specifically filtered information for the infotainment system to facilitate punctual arrival at the destination." Like other GTE-badged models, the C Coupe uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain. That means it's got a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery, all mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 242 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and Volkswagen says the C Coupe can travel up to 31 miles in electric mode (at speeds up to 81 miles per hour). Hitting 62 mph takes 8.6 seconds, but when driven economically, Volkswagen says the sedan can achieve up to 102 miles per gallon (on the Euro cycle) and cruising range is a whopping 684 miles. See the C Coupe GTE for yourself in the slideshow above, and scroll down for a huge helping of information in VW's press blast. VOLKSWAGEN DEBUTS C COUPE GTE IN SHANGHAI New plug-in hybrid concept car points the way to the future of large Volkswagen sedans Wolfsburg/Shanghai, April 2015 - Volkswagen is expanding its model range at high speed and the latest show of this intent is on display at Auto Shanghai-the C Coupe GTE.

Autoblog Podcast #370

Episode #370 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Michael Harley and Craig Fitzgerald of BangShift and Boldride talk about the 2015 Jeep Renegade, the Consumer Reports list of Cars to Avoid, and the Geneva Motor Show, which opened today. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the new rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #370: Topics: 2015 Jeep Renegade Worst Cars of 2014 Geneva Motor Show preview In the Autoblog Garage: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE 2014 SRT Viper 2015 Subaru WRX Hosts: Dan Roth, Michael Harley Guests: Craig Fitzgerald Runtime: 01:28:37 Rundown: Intro and Garage - 00:00 Jeep Renegade - 27:28 Cars to Avoid - 41:46 Geneva Motor Show - 59:54 Q&A - 01:11:04 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Podcasts Geneva Motor Show Jeep Subaru Volkswagen Concept Cars worst cars