VW Prices and specs are beyond me!

[Snoopy]

VW think of a number and double it. You could also look on how can SEAT and skoda be so much cheaper when using similar parts. VW you pay for the badge, GTI you pay for the badge again.

[James Gould]

Reckon anything will happen this week, Snoops?

[Snoopy]

What you meen?

[denyason]

the gti is a motoring icon.  it invented the 'hot hatch'.  another icon is the 911.  there are not many motors u could say are truely iconic cars. 
another is mini, the beetle.......
icons cost more, are more desirable and defines the brand.  i would even say it the 'top' model of the vw range.  icons dont just appear- they are instilled through yrs of graft.  the mark 6 is the latest version  of that heritage.  you're getting a piece of history, not just a piece of engineering. the passat is 'just a ' vw model.  not as desirable so not as expensive.  not only that- one should always be aware of free options, or discounts=  its a sure sign of either low sales or they're trying to sell them b4 a new model comes out.  if something is in demand- ask yourself ,"why would we need to lower our prices".  from readin the forum- the gti is high demand - i knew that already but thats the proof you need. 

[percymon]

Just seen an advert for a Passat Highline Plus starting at £21,345.

So it comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a touchscreen sat-nav, bluetooth and cruise as standard.

Why is it these are only available as pricey options on the GTI which in itself is a more expensive car anyway!

I believe that VW takes its customers for a ride and just try to p**s us off.

Gizzy

Called supply and demand !

Passat sales are dropping off as its an old model now - business users are findign good lease deals on BMW and Audi diesels with low taxation and high mpg.  If VW wants to shift a fairly boring large family saloon it needs to offer incentives - fancy wheels and a leatehr interior don't cost VW much more than steel wheels and a cloth interior, but the apparent savings to the customer look big.

VW will always make big margins on a Golf - its their volume seller so economies of scale for parts procurement are huge. The golf's good reputation as a small/medium family car, loved by the motoring press, means it has little trouble finding willing buyers.

[Snoopy]

it invented the 'hot hatch'. 

Im glad you put that in quotes as its a myth that it did There were other hothatches out before the GTI.