It’s not just the next generation VW Passat that will arrive in 2011, as Volkswagen America have confirmed that it will also ready a new mid-size sedan (NMS) for a late 2011 release. The black and white design sketch does not reveal much. Although reported to be larger in size, the VW NMS will cost $8000 less than the current Passat model which means it will compete with the likes of the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

Speaking of Honda, the company incidentally announced the Acura TSX Sport Wagon for an American release in 2010, stiffening the competition furthermore. Taking advantage of the weak dollar, Volkswagen will build it at their Chattanooga, Tennessee facility, and aims to sell 100,000 NMS units per year. Looks great, isn’t it?

Volkswagen acknowledged these days, with the voice of its Managing Director, Reiner Mangold, that they are working to develop the world’s first turbocharged compressed natural gas (CNG) engine that could get 150hp from a small 1.4 TSI model. It will be used to equip Passat CNG early in 2008 while Golf and Touran will get it later, by the end of the year.

Considering that the cost of petrol is about 50% higher than compressed natural gas which is sold for a little less than €0.90 per liter, I am sure there would be a lot of people to pay for a Volkswagen Passat CNG with such performances. The only problem would be its price, because you can be sure that’s going to run up.

via WorldCarFans