VW releases sketch of new 2011 Volkswagen mid-size sedan to be built at Chattanooga

October 28, 4:26 PMAuto Review ExaminerJohn Matras

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Volkswagen released today a sketch of the new mid-size sedan--NMS--that will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2010. The sedan, which will be larger than the current Passat, will probably replace that model in the U.S., the new model having been designed for North American consumption.

The larger size of the NMS, as yet unnamed, would accommodate North American tastes for vehicles larger than their European counterparts, as well as differing content and trim considerations.

The Passat also suffers a price penalty against primary competitors, particularly the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord among others, which are built in the U.S. Volkswagen is building a billion dollar manufacturing plant outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to inoculate the new mid-size sedan against changes in the exchange rates, currently working against European imports.

There is no indication, however, that the sporty Volkswagen CC sedan would be replaced or discontinued in the U.S., being sold alongside the VW NMS with a different mission.

The sketch released, while indistinct, clearly shows the implementation of Volkswagen's current design language, particularly the horizontal grille as illustrated on the 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The sketch, however, is certainly only an early tease of an extended bit-by-bit reveal of the Volkswagen NMS. Its impact on U.S. sales is expected to be significant, and Volkswagen certainly intends to build all the excitement it can about the car.

And as usual, we, being who we are, will play along.

Illustration: designer's sketch on 2011 Volkswagen new mid-size sedan, or NMS. Credit Volkswagen of America.

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