2024 Volkswagen Passat set for Euro launch, but not Australia

The all-new 2024 Volkswagen Passat wagon has been previewed one final time ahead of its unveiling later this week and launch in Europe in the first quarter of next year.

Some 50 years since the first generation was launched, the ninth instalment of the Volkswagen Passat is said to be larger, more comfortable and even higher quality, while introducing fresh new technology to the family wagon.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB evo architecture, which is a development of the same platform as the current Passat, the new version will be wagon-only for the first time.

And, sadly, it won’t be heading Down Under, with VW Australia preferring to concentrate on its most popular model lines and the influx of EVs heading this way.

Measuring in at 4917mm long (+144mm), 1852mm wide (+20mm) and 1482mm tall, the new Volkswagen Passat will be bigger than any of its predecessors and strays into large-car territory with a wheelbase of 2841mm (+50mm).

Cargo capacity behind the rear seats has improved drastically as a result of the bigger proportions and is now up to 690 litres (+40L), expanding to 1920 litres (+140L) when the second row is folded flat.

Under the bonnet, the new Volkswagen Passat has been developed to share powertrains with the next-gen Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.

It will still be offered with traditional turbo-diesel, turbo-petrol and mild-hybrid petrol engines, while an updated plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will also be available with a 100km pure-electric range and fast DC charging for the first time.

Inside, the new Passat will not only deliver more space but will come with the option of VW’s latest ergoActive seats.

The 14-way armchairs are said to provide comfort levels normally associated with far more expensive luxury cars. They’re also climate-controlled and feature a massage function.

Dominating the new cabin is a large 12.9-inch infotainment screen as standard, while premium model grades have an even larger 15-inch display. To improve ease of use, both screens feature backlit sliders to adjust the temp or volume.

Ahead of the driver is a new optional head-up display.

Instead of delivering a sports car drive, engineers have aimed at improving comfort. All versions come with four-link rear suspension, a new steering system, modified anti-roll bars and revised dampers.

Trick two-valve adaptive dampers are also available as part of the optional DCC Pro pack that provides a Comfort and Sport option and is capable of adjusting individual damping forces for each wheel in a fraction of a second.

Like the latest Golf GTI, a central Vehicle Dynamics Manager ECU controls all elements of the Passat’s dynamic hardware, including the electronic differential and dampers for more neutral, stable, agile and precise handling.

One final piece of new tech is the Passat will be available with VW’s new generation of IQ Light LED Matrix headlamps that are far more powerful than the previous model and now offer a range of up to 500 metres.

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