2024 Volkswagen Passat unveiled as wagon only, not coming to Australia

The new Volkswagen Passat unveiled in Europe today – with a bigger body, new technology, and plug-in hybrid tech with up to 100km of claimed electric driving range – will not come to Australia.

The next-generation 2024 Volkswagen Passat has been unveiled – ahead of the nameplate’s 50th birthday – but it will not come to Australia.

The new Passat will be sold only as a wagon – after the sedan body style was killed late in the life of the previous model – with a more contemporary design, higher-tech interior, and updated engines with hybrid technology.

However an Australian launch is not planned, as Volkswagen streamlines its range to focus on stronger-selling hatchbacks and SUVs – in preparation for its new range of electric vehicles.

The spirit of the Passat will live on in Australia in the next Skoda Superb – due here at the end of next year – which will be more closely related to the Passat than ever before.

MORE: Volkswagen Passat axed in Australia, new model not coming here

While previous generations of the Passat and Superb have been relatives – but with completely unique bodyworks, and a larger footprint in the Skoda – the new models will share their dimensions and body shell, but carry different front and rear fascias, and interiors.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Passat wagon is 144mm longer (4917mm), 20mm wider (1852mm), 7mm taller (1482mm), and 50mm longer between the wheels (2841mm wheelbase).

Although they are significant increases for the Volkswagen, the new Skoda Superb will only be 40mm longer (4902mm) and 5mm taller (1482mm) – due to the shared body shell – with an unchanged wheelbase, and a 15mm-narrower body.

MORE: New Skoda Superb to be a Volkswagen Passat clone

The Passat’s styling draws from other new Volkswagen models – including the latest Golf and upcoming, next-generation Tiguan – with a sharp shoulder line, matrix LED headlights (said to be brighter than before), and an LED tail-light bar with 3D elements.

An R-Line sports package remains available with unique front and rear bumpers, and alloy wheels up to 19 inches in diameter.

The new wagon claims a drag coefficient of 0.25 – considerably better than the old model’s 0.31 – for improved fuel economy, aided by air curtains in the bumper to channel air into the brakes.

Inside, there is a choice of 12.9 or 15-inch infotainment touchscreens – up from 8.0 or 9.2 inches today – mounted in a tablet style oriented towards the driver.

While it runs Volkswagen’s latest software – with shortcuts for the air-conditioning controls always kept at the bottom of the screen – the controversial touch-sensitive sliders below the screen are not illuminated for use at night, unlike the VW ID.7 electric car.

The steering wheel is equipped with physical switches, not touch-sensitive buttons – making good on a promise by VW boss Thomas Schafer – placed in front of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The gear selector has been moved to a stalk on the right side of the steering column to save space in the centre console, with indicator and wiper functions now merged into the left steering column stalk.

Included in the screen is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, satellite navigation, and a Car2X system that connects to traffic lights and road infrastructure in Europe.

Boot space is quoted as 690 litres with the rear seats up (measured to the top of the backrests), or 1920 litres with the seats folded – up 40 and 140 litres respectively compared to the outgoing model.

Available features include a head-up display that projects on the windscreen, 45-watt USB-C charging ports, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, a power tailgate with kick sensor, and ambient interior lighting.

The seats on regular versions are available with 14-way power adjustment, heating, cooling, massaging and four-way power lumbar – trimmed in suede or leather, depending on model – while R-Line models gain single-piece sports seats.

Volkswagen claims there is 50mm more rear-seat legroom compared to the outgoing model, plus softer interior materials, more sound insulation, double-glazed side windows, and an acoustic film on the windscreen.

Available advanced safety technology includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist (Travel Assist), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, hands-free parking, and automatic high beams.

Powering the new Passat is a range of petrol and diesel engines, plus a pair of plug-in hybrids with up to 100km of electric driving range.

Petrol models include a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 110kW and front-wheel drive, a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 150kW and front-wheel drive, and a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 195kW and all-wheel drive.

Meanwhile there is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine available in 90kW front-wheel-drive, 110kW front-wheel-drive and 142kW all-wheel-drive tunes.

All regular petrol and diesel engines are matched with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions, while the 1.5-litre petrol engine has mild-hybrid assistance.

Plug-in hybrids combine a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 19.7kWh battery, electric motor, six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive, for combined power outputs of 150kW or 200kW, depending on model.

The outgoing Passat plug-in hybrid (PHEV) combined a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with an electric motor and 10.6kWh battery for 180kW combined.

Volkswagen claims up to 100km of electric driving range, or up to 1000km with the petrol engine on and 45-litre fuel tank filled. The Passat PHEV can now replenish its battery at up to 50kW at a DC fast-charging station, or 11kW AC on a home wallbox (vs 3.6kW previously).

Under the skin the new Passat sits on an updated version of its predecessor’s ‘MQB’ architecture, shared with the Golf and other new Volkswagens.

The German car giant highlights new-generation adaptive suspension technology – which it claims delivers sharper handling – plus reworked suspension, a new steering system, and Vehicle Dynamics Manager software for managing power delivery and vehicle systems.

The 2024 Volkswagen Passat wagon is due in European showrooms in the first quarter of 2024 (January to March). An Australian launch is not planned.

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