Even though we would love to see the production version of Passat come with the 2.0-litre TDI engine, the fact the Volkswagen has imported the 1.6-litre TDI version, even for R&D, indicates that the carmaker might consider downsizing the powertrain. In fact, even Volkswagen Group-owned Audi launched the smaller and less powerful 1.4-litre TFSI engine with the new A4 sedan instead of the older 1.8-litre TFSI.
Volkswagen first unveiled the new Passat sedan in India at the 2016 Auto Expo in its GTE avatar. The carmaker had announced that it will be launched in India in 2017 to compete with the likes of the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the newly launched Honda Accord Hybrid. It is possible that the German carmaker will first launch the diesel sedan with either of the aforementioned diesel engines followed by the Passat GTE.
Coming to the engines itself, the 1.6-litre TDI and the 2.0-litre TDI are both four-cylinder motors will be tuned to offer improved performance and fuel efficiency. The petrol-electric plug-in hybrid - Passat GTE on the other hand, which is powered by 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine mated to an electric motor, offers a combined output of 215bhp. Transmission option will include the company's tried tested 6-speed DSG unit as standard.
