Beleaguered Volkswagen will unveil the Passat GT concept, designed by the company’s North American engineering hub in Chattanooga, Tenn. Combining “fresh styling updates with a 280-horsepower VR6 engine, the Passat GT concept previews a “potential addition” to the Passat lineup. Year-to date diesel emissions defeat-device Volkswagen sales are at 256,047 (-13.09%) with the Passat at 59,320 for a -17.4% drop. The German automaker is strapped for cash, hence the trim package on an aging design. Worse, gasoline engines are now under investigation for illegal emissions at the Volkswagen Group.
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- Diesel Emission Fraud Charges Hit Volkswagen Group Profits
- Long-Time Volkswagen Engineer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges for Rigging Tests on Dirty Diesels
- Volkswagen to Pay Dealers $1.2 Billion over Dirty Diesels
- $14.7 Billion Volkswagen Diesel Fraud Settlements
- Volkswagen Group Earnings Devastated by Diesel Emissions
The gasoline powered concept was created by Volkswagen’s North American Engineering and Planning Center in Chattanooga based on “extensive feedback” from waning U.S. customers and dealers.
“The Passat GT is an early example of how the new Volkswagen North American Region will meet the needs and desires of American customers going forward,” claimed Dr. Matthias Erb, Chief Engineering Officer, North American Region, Volkswagen.
More than 20 design changes from the standard Passat are on the GT. Starting from the black honeycomb grille insert with red accent lines like those on the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the upgrades include different bumper treatments, black window surrounds, a black roof and trunk spoiler, LED headlights, smoked taillights, a dual trapezoidal exhaust and a sport muffler. The 19-inch Tornado wheels cover red-painted brake calipers, and a 0.6-inch reduction in ride height gives the Passat GT concept a road-hugging stance. In short, it’s a trim package.
Inside, the Passat GT creates has fake carbon-fiber pattern door trim and instrument panel, two-tone black-and-gray sport seats with contrast stitching, a black headliner and black center console trim. Power as noted, comes from the Volkswagen 3.6-liter TSI VR6, rated at 280 horsepower, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, controlled through shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
The California Air Resources Board invites you to participate in a public workshop to provide suggestions for Volkswagen’s $800 million 10-year zero emission vehicle (ZEV) Investment Commitment in California. The ZEV Investment Commitment is a component of California’s partial settlement with VW resulting from VW’s use of illegal defeat devices in 2-liter diesel cars that were sold in the State from model years 2009 to 2015.
The partial settlement establishes eligible categories for VW investments, including installing zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure (for both electric and hydrogen-powered cars), funding brand-neutral consumer awareness campaigns to increase the zero-emission vehicle market, and investing in projects such as car-sharing programs that will increase access to zero-emission vehicles for all consumers in California.
VW also is required to prepare a series of California ZEV Investment Plans, outlining the details of its proposed investments, for ARB review and approval.
During the workshop, staff will discuss: (1) four areas of qualified investments: ZEV infrastructure, public awareness, increasing ZEV access, and green city projects; (2) potential guiding principles and priorities for the first ZEV Investment Plan; and (3) the process and timeline associated with development, review, and approval of the first investment plan.
After the discussion, members of the public will be invited to make comments related to the ZEV Investment Commitment. Following the workshop and with consideration of comments received at the workshop and in writing, ARB will develop a guidance document communicating California’s priorities and guiding principles for ZEV investments to be transmitted to VW to aid in their ZEV Investment Plan drafting. The deadline for VW’s submittal of the first ZEV Investment Plan is 22 February 2017.
The workshop will be held:
Friday, December 2, 2016 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Cal/EPA Headquarters – Coastal Hearing Room, 2nd Floor
1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814
For more information on this workshop, see the detailed workshop
notice, available from ARB’s ZEV Investment Commitment Meetings
webpage at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/vw_info/vsi/vw-zevinvest/meetings/120216_wkshp.pdf