VW Passat Variant: As a plug-in with 100 km electric range

At the end of August, the new Passat Variant will celebrate its official world premiere. However, VW has already let some colleagues take it for a drive and has released some initial details. The new model aims to impress its class with a hopefully truly intuitive display and control concept, a consistently high-quality interior, seats at "upper-class level," and a new adaptive chassis control.

More importantly for ID.7 refusers: There are still TSI, eTSI, TDI, and plug-ins, the latter with significantly increased electric ranges, made possible by the MQB evo. All engines are said to be at least relatively more efficient than their predecessors, but the plug-in is particularly intriguing, making a significant leap similar to the new Tiguan: Based on the 1.5-liter TSI engine, VW offers the new Passat Variant (the sedan has been discontinued since 2019) in two variants with 204 or 272 HP, both of which are supposed to drive over 100 kilometers purely electrically according to WLTP – in reality, even in the worst case (winter, bad weather), around 70 km should remain. VW achieves this with a massively increased battery capacity, now offering 26 kWh instead of 12 kWh, and accelerated charging speeds: 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC.

Unfortunately, the Passat is also growing massively

This means it will likely be noticeably heavier than its predecessor, especially as it has grown significantly: With the move to the (slightly) larger platform of the Skoda Superb, with which it was jointly developed under the Czech's supervision, the wheelbase increases by five centimeters and the total length by a whole 14 centimeters. And once again, one has to wonder who seriously asked for this gigantic growth? Because a larger car needs more resources, weighs more, and uses more road space...

Almost 700 liters of trunk volume

Well, this makes the Passat a superb "ballroom" since the rear passengers get more knee room and the trunk increases by 40 liters to 690 liters. If you fold down the rear seat, up to 1920 liters of space are available behind the electric tailgate. The engineers were certainly ambitious in trying to hit the 700- and 2000-liter marks – they didn't quite make it, but it's still ample. Besides the Passat Variant and the Superb Kombi, not many other wagons will offer more...

But they are also aiming for the upper middle-class acoustically: With high-quality materials and effective sound insulation, quality and comfort are supposed to be "on a new level" – although VW claims this with every new Passat – which nevertheless always maintains a respectful distance from the Audi A6 Avant – it has to...

A newly developed cockpit is complemented by a new infotainment system with a 12.9-inch display. Optionally, VW also offers a 15-inch option. Beneath the infotainment display, the Passat features the inevitable but at least backlit touch sliders, used to control interior temperature and volume. Additionally, VW will optionally offer a new head-up display that projects information onto the windshield. The multifunction steering wheel will have buttons again. And by dispensing with the manual transmission, the gear selector lever could be moved up to the steering column levers. This provides more storage spaces and a large charging tray for the phone in the center tunnel.

The chassis: Significantly more dynamic

VW has also improved the chassis, even though the current Passat already gave little cause for complaint in this regard: Increased camber stiffness and higher lateral force steering of the four-link rear axle should make the Variant sit even tighter, along with a new tuning of the electromechanical steering, modified stabilizers and dampers, and new wheels. The more direct steering ratio and the extended wheelbase should make driving characteristics calmer yet more dynamic. This is why a dynamic chassis manager has been added to the standard equipment: By means of individual wheel brake interventions and selective adjustments of the damper hardness, the handling characteristics should become more neutral, stable, agile, and precise.

And you can still travel whisper-quietly: Air resistance has once again been reduced and insulation glass is installed all around for the first time. This makes the plug-in almost inaudible inside and even significantly mutes the diesel.

For better illumination, a new generation of "IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights" is supposed to be included in the top trims. These high-performance headlights, which are even flatter compared to their predecessors, are supposed to offer a high-performance high beam with a range of up to 500 meters. Additionally, continuous LED crossbars are added above the lights.

Three more TDI models are coming - also as 4motion

All internal combustion engines are mildly hybridized, optimized to be noticeably more economical. And: VW dares to introduce three more TDIs with 150 to 193 PS, also available with all-wheel drive. In addition, there are four-cylinder gasoline engines with 150 to 265 PS, some of which also come as 4Motion. The main difference from the ID.7 is likely to remain the range of the TDI: There's still easily 1000 kilometers plus x possible.

And what does all this cost? Well, the cheaper production in Bratislava instead of Emden, where the new Skoda Superb will also move to, and partly streamlined variants compensate for some of the inflation and the more generous equipment: We expect a price of under €45,000 gross, which converted for company cars would be around €37,815 net. And thus still within the range for a 4.92-meter station wagon...

What does this mean?

The new Passat could be the last: For the 50th anniversary of the series, VW is gifting itself with Generation 9, which has been shifted developmentally to Skoda, where it runs as the "brother" of the Superb. Production is moving from Emden to Bratislava – making it clear: The future is more likely the ID.7 – which first has to contend with the price, space, and range of the Passat Variant. But one can also see it the other way around: In view of 700 kilometers of range and 200 kW charging power, no representative or fleet desire remains unmet. So why doesn’t the future at VW start immediately – and end the fossil age in the upper mid-range class? Doesn't VW trust its own fully electric product, i.e., the electric peace? In this sense, one can also understand the new Passat as a backup, in case customers reject the electric car like they did with the ID.4. Thus, a rolling vote of no confidence.