Fake wood is hideous in real life. I'd avoid that option, Hell I'd avoid the car.
I do agree that the wood is too much. If they used smaller, lighter, less shiny pieces, and made them look more realistic, it would look better.
Why are they still using the RNS-510 headunit on this car? VW has a newer center console system as seen in the new Touareg for instance.
Anyway, I think VW is making a mistake by making separate Jettas and Passats for North America. Well, other companies have had success with having North American-specific models, but it will lead to uglier, bigger, cheaper quality models which I don't really care to see.
Does anyone know what will become of the Passat CC? Will they continue selling the old one, come out with a new one based on the Euro Passat or come out with a new one based on the North American Passat?
The new system might have been deemed too costly *shrugs*. In any case, I think that, while the Jetta is a prime example of excessive cost cutting (even the Euro version - which isn't really separate from the US car, doesn't have soft touch door trim and a few other baubles) having a sedan aimed at the heart of the midsize segment is important. This checks off all the right boxes, especially price. That's something the old Passat couldn't say, and if it's anything like the Jetta (I thought no one would buy it due to the interior but I guessed wrong) money talks and people will bite. Combine that with several first drives saying it still manages to drive well, have a great interior, and feel rock solid on the road and it's even better.
Also remember that one big way VW got the price down is by reducing build complexity. Whereas before one could build a passat a zillion different ways, now there's only 18 possible build combinations. Yes its packaging options and it sucks, but it saves VW money.
A smart move for VW might be to keep the CC around, as a way to hedge their bets in case existing owners refuse to accept the new passat, or a few people want a more distinctive offering. Other makes have done similar.
The petrol choices you get are ridiculously cheap to buy, expensive to run. 2.5l N/A I4 with 170hp and a 280hp VR6.
The 2.5 and V6 I can only assume were chosen for cost, reliability, and new customer familarity reasons. Most in this segment save for the Sonata/Optima offer a V6 instead of a turbo. A lot of buyers might hem and haw at the thought of a turbo instead of a NA V6. Also, most midsize sedans in the US are 4 cylinders, so a 4-5 cylinder entry is important to capture the value oriented segment.
The biggest curiosity is the diesel, which gets something like 40 mpg highway. That's a big number that could tempt many shoppers into giving it a try.
the Euro extra-urban figure rates the 2.0 Euro6 Diesel at 59mpg. Your Passat is longer, that should improve aero but increase weight. Should even itself out.