Volkswagen Passat regional premiere at 2012 Qatar Motor Show

The Qatar Motor Show is becoming more and more important on the regional level. This is why Volkswagen always has a strong presence with many important VW decision-makers and many new and interesting models for Qatar and the rest of the region.

At this year's Qatar Motor Show the Passat celebrated its national premiere in Doha. This signifies the market launch of the successful model – already familiar from the USA – in the Middle East Region. The model, developed in Germany and produced in North America, is larger than the European version, making it ideally suited for the region.

“The Passat is an important component of our model strategy in the Middle East region where classic saloons define the street scene. That is because the Passat delivers top levels of safety and comfort and offers more space for rear passengers due to its long wheelbase,� explained Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Head of Development and member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand, at the Qatar Motor Show.

The Passat is powered by a 125 kW / 170 PS five-cylinder petrol engine, and it perfectly conveys the German values of precision, performance and quality. Even the base version includes a radio-CD system with Bluetooth hands-free telephone system and a 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen. It also has electric windows, air conditioner, heat insulating glass, cruise control, immobiliser system and comfort seats. Not only is comfort on-board as standard, so is safety – because the Passat has ESP, ABS with brake assistant and six standard airbags. Private customers like the alternative to the classic saloon as do business customers who drive many kilometres and have made the Passat the new �business class’.

The entry-level model already shines with 16-inch aluminium wheels. Volkswagen is also showing the Touareg Magic Morning at the motor show: this is a public version of the Race Touareg 3 that raced at the
Dakar Rally. The 228 kW / 310 PS Volkswagen, equipped with a safety cage, is likely the world’s most talented street-legal SUV.

The price-tag of this special Touareg-version is 1.5 million Euros. Although that is quite a number, it will surely find many fans and customers in Qatar and the gulf region.

Another show vehicle being presented in Qatar is the Amarok with a new gearbox: an 8- speed automatic is now available in the Volkswagen pickup, which delivers even more comfort and better fuel economy.

Now available with a gasoline engine and new automatic transmission, the Amarok could surely have
good chances of becoming a best-seller in the Middle East region.

Amro Sheta / Ashraf Moustafa (Photos)
25.01.2012
Doha - Wolfsburg