Volkswagen is preparing a new mid-sized sedan to replace the Passat in North America and has just released a new design sketch of what the vehicle will look like. The decision to replace the Passat comes after VW's admission its current mid-sized sedan is just too small, too expensive and, quite frankly, too nice.
The quasi-premium Passat, with its smaller dimensions and interior space just never captured the attention of the American public. This new model, VW hopes, will change that. The car, called the NMS (New Mid Size), will be built in the U.S. at VW's Chattanooga, Tenn. plant. The lower production costs and lack of overseas shipping costs will cut a considerable amount of overhead from the project allowing VW to sell the car's much closer to the $20,000 mark.
There's no word on engines, but as the rest of the industry seems to offer a larger 4-cylinder and a V6, that seems like a good bet. Then again, VW doesn't often follow the rest of the industry and they do love to put that 2.0T engine in everything.
The NMS won't be around for a while, however, as VW does plan to put its new vehicle up for sale until 2011 as a 2012 model.
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Report: Volkswagen Releases Design Sketch of New Mid-Sized Sedan on AutoGuide.com
Report: Volkswagen Releases Design Sketch of New Mid-Sized Sedan
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