Volkswagen’s USA boss: We totally screwed up

Third, the fresh design, according to CNET, has tweaks to the Sedan’s style and trim line-up and the addition of a new R-Line trim package that VW likes to inject some sportiness that the other lacks.

It is also possible that the 2016 Volkswagen Passat could come with a new engine. Also, you can open the trunk by kicking your foot underneath the bumper, and the rear seats now have a heating option. On most models, the display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) enabling gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming rather than the resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times. Compared to what Volkswagen US had said, the new Passat facelift does not feature any major changes, and looks more like the brand’s Chinese offering, and not like the classier European Passat.

Introduced for the first time on the US-market Passat is the R-Line pack, featuring a sportier front bumper, side skirt and rear diffuser design, as well as 19-inch anthracite “Salvador” alloy wheels shod with 235/40-section tyres. VW says that the system will allow for integration with the majority of smartphones available today.

Second, the improved safety features like automatic post-collision braking system is new and standard on all Passat models. If a collision is detected by the airbag sensors, the auto will automatically apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a halt, helping to reduce the chance of subsequent impacts. The mid-size sedan gets new front and rear clips aimed at giving it a more aggressive appearance, though the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary. All these people, whether it’s our customers, dealer families, or employees and their families, depend on us to run a successful business here with high ethical standards.

The 2016 Passat will arrive in US showrooms within the next few months to provide a much needed boost for the VW brand’s tepid USA sales, which have dropped 2.8 percent this year through August.

Inside all of the 2016 Passats, motorists will see a new instrument panel, steering wheel and column stalk design, two-tone décor panels, and refined chrome and piano black trim.

The 2016 Passat is available in the United States with three powertrains: the 1.8-liter turbocharged and directinjection TSI four cylinder; 2.0-liter TDI and the 3.6-liter VR6 engine, which makes 280 horsepower.

Full pricing for the new 2016 Passat will be available closer to launch later this year, but the 1.8T S model starts at $22,440, which is the same price as the previous base model when equipped with a six-speed automatic.