VW realigns Passat range with new models all with added equipment

Volkswagen is adding even more luxury and style to the best-selling Passat range, with the introduction of two new trim levels: Executive and Executive Style.

The Executive sits above the entry level S and BlueMotion models in the Passat range, and comes with a comprehensive standard specification.

On the outside, new 17-inch ‘Michigan’ alloy wheels (a full-size alloy spare is also included) are complemented by exterior chrome trim, along with matt black roof rails on the Estate.

Inside, the S’s standard DAB radio, MDI multi-device interface with USB and iPhone cables and Bluetooth connectivity are added to with Volkswagen’s RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system. The leather-trimmed multifunction wheel and gear lever are enhanced by Vienna leather upholstery, including heated front seats, and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat.

Standard 2Zone climate control helps to keep the cabin at the perfect temperature for both driver and front passenger, while automatic lights and wipers ensure vision is optimised at all times, as does the auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror.  Cruise control is also fitted, along with front and rear parking sensors, with both audible output and optical display.

In total, the Passat Executive comes with over £1,700-worth of equipment versus the Highline model that it replaces, for a premium of just £200, meaning on the road prices start from £20,235.

The Executive Style builds on the Executive, but as the name suggests, it comes with a more distinctive look.  Hunkered down on 15 mm lower sports suspension, the Executive Style comes with 18-inch ‘Kansas’ alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, front fog lights, and tinted rear glass together worth more than £2,000 for just £995 over the Executive.

The Executive and Executive Style trims are available to order from 2 January 2014, when they replace the Highline, Sport and R-Line trims in the line-up.

 

Lexus offers two Hybrids in the GS range

• Lexus extends the reach of its full hybrid technology with new GS 300h, the first time it has offered two different hybrid powertrains in a single body style
• New GS 300h SE promises best-in-class benefit-in-kind rates for company car drivers, potentially saving customers up to more than £2,000 on their annual tax bill
• 2.5-litre Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain delivers CO2 emissions from 109g/km* and combined cycle fuel consumption of up to 60.1mpg*
• Four equipment grades – SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier – with on-the-road prices from £31,495
• Available to order now, first customer deliveries from January 2014

Lexus is strengthening the appeal of its GS range for company/business car users with the introduction of the new GS 300h. It will join the established GS 450h in the range early next year, promising class-leading benefit-in-kind tax rates of 13 per cent, thanks to segment leading CO2 emissions of 109g/km from its 2.5-litre full hybrid powertrain.

Compared to its key premium market diesel and hybrid competitors, the GS 300h SE delivers compelling annual tax figures that can save customers up to more than £2,000 a year.

Here’s how the figures stack up, with pricing including leather upholstery and satellite navigation options added to the GS 300h SE specification to bring it in line with the competition: -

The significant tax savings enjoyed by company car drivers apart, all GS 300h SE customers will also be saving money on fuel and road tax. Combined cycle consumption of 60.1mpg is expected for the SE model, with 57.6mpg for the Luxury and Premier versions and 56.5mpg for the F Sport. The SE’s 109g/km CO2 emissions place it in band B for annual Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), while the Luxury and Premier at 113g/km and F Sport at 115g/km, all fall within band C (all figures provisional prior to official homologation).

Model range

The exterior and interior styling for the new GS 300h mirror those of the more powerful GS 450h. The grade structure adds a new entry level SE trim to the established Luxury, F Sport and Premier designations.

Full equipment specifications will be released later in the year, but the new GS 300h SE will come with a raft of luxury features, including 17-inch alloys, 10 airbags, electric steering wheel adjustment, 12-speaker sounds system with DAB radio and DVD player, cruise control, push button start, parking sensors HID (xenon) headlamps, and electrically adjustable, heated front seats. Leading options will be Lexus Premium Navigation, with a 12.3-inch display, and leather upholstery (including heating/ventilation front seat functions).

Extra items in the Luxury trim include leather upholstery, navigation, 18-inch alloys and a Blind Spot Monitor pack with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, while the F Sport adds features such as exterior and interior styling elements, perforated leather sports seats, 10-spoke 19-inch wheels and Adaptive Variable Sports Suspension.

At the top of the range, the GS 300h Premier takes in a Mark Levinson 17-speaker hifi, system, 18-way electric front seat adjustment with memory, a new colour head-up display, AVS and LED fog lamps.

At the same time as Lexus adds the GS 300h to the range it also makes a new design shift lever and the colour head-up display available for the GS 450h.

The GS range’s comprehensive array of active, passive and preventive safety features is being further extended, with addition of a Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which uses the same radar technology as the Blind Spot Monitor to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a parking space