When Volkswagen will reveal its new wagon-only Passat

The next-generation Volkswagen Passat looks set to be revealed by week’s end, according to a cryptic post to the company’s X account.

In a tweet published to social media platform X, Volkswagen has posted a short video showing someone texting a person named Anna confirming “our big premiere” on August 31.

How do we know it’s a Passat? Well, the background is the headlight from the current Passat, and the new-generation wagon is due to be revealed any moment now.

Volkswagen has previewed the ninth-generation 2024 Passat numerous times with official images of camouflaged prototypes, confirming the next iteration will be solely offered as a Variant – VW-speak for wagon.

The new model will move to the latest MQB evo platform that underpins the latest Golf and soon the next-generation Tiguan, which brings the company’s latest powertrain, infotainment and assistance technologies to its now flagship passenger car now that the Arteon is dead.

Due to launch in Europe during the first quarter of 2024, the new Passat Variant will be headlined by a new-generation plug-in hybrid drivetrain that will offer up to 100 kilometres of electric driving range. It will also be compatible with DC fast charging for the first time.

There will also be turbo-diesel (TDI), turbocharged petrol (TSI) and 48V mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol (eTSI) offered globally.

We’ve already seen parts of the interior, too, which incorporates a standard 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen which serves as the central control centre for various vehicle functions such as interior temperature and volume. The multifunction steering wheel will be the first to revert back to solely buttons – “to make operation even easier”.

The new Passat Variant will also be longer than its predecessor to allow for more passenger and cargo space.

Leg room in the rear has increased by a claimed 50mm courtesy of the 140mm longer body, while luggage capacity has increased by 40 litres to 690L to the height of the rear seat backrests. Fold the rear seats down, and the cargo area is 140L larger at 1920L.

Revised chassis and suspension systems claim to deliver both better comfort and elevated dynamics, with the optional Dynamic Chassis Control Pro, featuring two-valve shock absorbers, continuously monitors the road surface and driving situation to adjust the damping at each wheel within fractions of a second.

The front end of the new Passat Variant appears to have been leaked on social media, with the above Instagram post showing a face that looks very close to the camouflaged prototypes previously shown in official images.

Regardless, don’t expect to see the next Passat in Australian showrooms anytime soon. Volkswagen Australia announced it would be killing its wagon range by the end of this year. As the new Passat will be wagon-only, it will be a non-starter Down Under.

It’s unclear whether Volkswagen will also offer an Alltrack crossover variant at launch or in future, though like the standard model it has been discontinued in Australia for the time being.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for our coverage of the new Passat’s reveal on August 31.

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