The 1998 Passat presents a fresh face to the world, one that sets it apart from the competition. It doesn't look like any Volkswagen we've seen, but some of the new design elements seen here are an indication of upcoming VW products,
particularly the New Beetle.
In general, the Passat is smooth, a clean shape with some attractive details. One of these features is the semicircular
arc described by the roofline. This shape, along with thin pillars, guarantees good visibility and generous front headroom.
Another new design feature is the rounded nose with flush-mounted headlights, which helps lower the Passat's coefficient
of drag to an impressive 0.27, the lowest in its class. This aerodynamic efficiency reduces wind noise and improves fuel
economy, particularly at higher speeds.
Viewed from the front or the sides, the Passat has a distinctive appearance that should age well. The rear view is
a little less impressive. As is true of most sedans, there's a large, squared-off trunk lid flanked by large taillights.