Pre-sales of the new Volkswagen Passat begin this week in Europe

Pre-sales of the new Passat begin today in selected European countries. With sales totalling 30 million units, the Passat is the most successful mid-range model in the world. A technical update and a refined exterior design have now fundamentally changed the best-selling model.

hanks to its new-generation infotainment system (MIB3), the Passat stays online permanently – and this ground-breaking development enables it to offer completely new services and functions. New assist systems make the model safer than ever, while upgraded running gear and drive systems ensure a high degree of long-distance comfort and exhilarating driving dynamics.

The Passat has a newly reconfigured equipment package matrix: The basic version has the designation “Passat”. Above that is the mid-range specification level (“Business”), and from now on, the top level is known as “Elegance”. “Business” and “Elegance” can also be ordered with R-Line customisation. In addition to these versions, the new Passat will once again be available as a separate “Alltrack” model (all-wheel drive variant with off-road capabilities) and as a “GTE” (equipped with a new generation of the plug-in hybrid drive).

A total of five engine options will be available when pre-sales of the Passat begin today, 6 June: Two petrol engines (TSI) with an output of 140 kW/190 PS and 200 kW / 272 PS and three diesel engines (TDI). The latter deliver 88 kW/120 PS, 140 kW/190 PS and 176 kW /240 PS respectively. All new Passat models equipped with TSI and TDI engines fulfil the requirements of the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard. In addition, all such models – regardless of whether they come with a petrol or a diesel engine – are equipped with a particulate filter.

Customers will also soon be able to order the new Passat GTE and the new Passat 2.0 TDI Evo. The Passat GTE (160 kW/218 PS system output) now offers a much greater electric range in both its saloon and estate versions: up to 55 kilometres (estate) and 57 kilometres (saloon) in the WLTP cycle. These figures correspond to roughly 70 kilometres in the NEDC, which is 20 kilometres more than the NEDC range of the predecessor model. The engine in the Passat 2.0 TDI Evo(110 kW/150 PS) is considered a trailblazer for a new generation of diesel engines and now boasts even lower CO₂ emissions. The consumption and emission values, as well as the prices, for the new Passat GTE, the Passat 2.0 TDI Evo and the 1.5 TSI Evo basic model will be released when pre-sales of those vehicles begin over the next few weeks.

The expanded range of standard equipment for all Passat models includes LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, side lights and turn signals; LED tail light clusters, infotainment systems with an integrated SIM card (for online functions), “We Connect” (online services), the “Front Assist” area monitoring system, the “ACC” adaptive cruise control system and the “Lane Assist” lane departure warning system. Available as an option or, depending on the engine variant and specification package in question, as standard equipment are technologies such the “DCC” adaptive chassis control system (which can now be continuously configured over an extended range), interactive “IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights” and the new “Travel Assist” system. When equipped with “Travel Assist, the Passat becomes the first Volkswagen worldwide to be able to travel at speeds up to 210 km/h in a partially automated driving mode.

Prices for the Passat saloon with a TSI engine (140 kW/190 PS) will start at €38,750 in Germany, and at €39,825 for the identical Passat estate. Prices for the saloon with a TDI engine (88 kW/120 PS) will start at €34,720, with the corresponding estate model starting at €35,825 in the basic version.

The Passat Alltrack is an independent crossover model that represents a mix between an estate and an SUV. Thanks to a special off-road mode, modified running gear with greater ground clearance and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive, the Passat Alltrack is also very much at home when driving off-road on terrain otherwise reserved for SUVs. At the same time, the Passat Alltrack is a comfortable and fast touring car. The Passat Alltrack is available with a 2.0 TSI petrol engine with 200 kW/272 PS (€49,925). The model also comes in two TDI variants delivering 140 kW/190 PS (€47,800) and 176 kW/240 PS (€50,795) respectively. A 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) is standard for all variants.