Wolfsburg, Germany - Len Hunt, the ebullient head of Volkswagen in North America, says that the new Passat is the first car to show the company's future direction in the United States. "VW is ...

wrapped in an understated package in which the Passat comes off a bit like a premium machine on dress-down day. It doesn't flaunt its badge, wear gaudy clothing or scream for attention at every light.

Volkswagen is rolling out a full line of four-door sedans over the 2006 model year, ranging from the 2.0-liter Value Edition with nice leatherette upholstery to the more-powerful 2.0T to the ...