Offering a look at what could be making its way to a showroom in the not-too-distant future, the Volkswagen Passat GT Concept was unveiled in Los Angeles. This high-powered, high-profile one-off was created by VW’s North American Engineering and Planning Center in Chattanooga based on feedback from U.S. customers and dealers.
Matching style with speed
Boasting over 20 modifications, the Passat GT Concept packs a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter TSI VR6 that drives the front wheel via a 6-speed paddle-shift DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition to its Golf GTI-inspired black honeycomb grille insert with red accents, the GT Concept features unique fascia designs set off with LED headlights and smoked taillamps, plus a sport exhaust and red-painted brake calipers. Rounding out the mechanical upgrades is a sport suspension system that drops ride height by 0.6 inch. Adding a bit of enthusiast flair to its cabin, the Passat GT Concept sports carbon-fiber trim on the doors and instrument panel, two-tone black-and-gray sport seats with contrast stitching, a black headliner and piano black console trim.
Related: See other cars and concept vehicles unveiled at the 2016 LA Auto Show
“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,” said Dr. Matthias Erb, who is its Chief Engineering Officer. While stopping short of formally greenlighting the Passat GT for production, Erb did note: “We have the freedom and the responsibility to shape future North American vehicles here in the U.S., combining engineering resources from around the world with our unique perspective and talented local team.”
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Mazda Koeru Concept offers a look at a new compact crossover model
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