News Source: autoblog.com

Think back to last year's Detroit Auto Show, and you'll recall Volkswagen quietly introduced a spruced-up version of its midsize sedan, very plainly dubbed the Passat Performance Concept. This show car featured things like 19-inch wheels, carbon accents, an advanced front lighting system and – most importantly – a boosted version of the company's 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, tuned to produce a healthy 250 horsepower.

Now, what you see here is the just-announced-for-production 2014 Passat Sport. And while it takes many of its cues directly from that concept car, we're kind of bummed. Sure, the new 19-inch Luxor wheels look cool, as do the black mirror caps and contrasting black roof, but it's the performance part of the concept's equation that's missing. (The neat front lighting system has been axed, too.)

Power still comes from the VW's 1.8-liter turbo-four, but it's rated at the same 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque as the standard car, available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Other upgrades for the Sport model include a rear spoiler, foglamps, sport comfort seats, carbon trim accents, sport pedals, stainless steel door sills, unique floor mats and the addition of paddle shifters on automatic-equipped models.

Pricing starts at $26,475 for the Passat Sport with a six-speed manual, *not including $820 for destination. Want the automatic? That'll be an extra $1,200.