Photo: Volkswagen
Volkswagen has just revealed the Alltrack version of its brand new Passat B8, based on the MQB platform. Just like its baby Golf brother, it takes the appearance of a chunky estate with protective body cladding for those weekend adventures.
It's hard not to be impressed with the things this AWD Passat can do that regular SUVs can't. On the road, it should feel as composed as any other car and with an engine range delivering between 150 and 240 PS, sprits won't be a problem either.
Compared to the Passat Variant, the suspension is raised by 27.5mm (1.1 inch), allowing for more clearance space. Changes to the bodywork include dark plastic inserts for the wheel arches, side skirts, protection for the lower doors and of course changes to the front and rear bumpers. There, we also see aluminum plates added for more protection and also for a premium look.
Bespoke 17-inch wheels are also available as standard, though you can opt for larger 18- or 19-inch if you're not concerned about damage.
The engines are borrowed directly from the regular Passat range, all featuring direct injection and fuel-saving tech. Two turbocharged petrols are available, the base 1.4 TSI with 150 PS and the 220 PS 2.0 TSI. But most European customers will go for one of the three TDI diesels, which have more torque. The base unit pushes 150 PS, followed by the 190 PS high output version and the 240 PS twin-turbo. The most powerful petrol and diesel units get Volkswagen's XDS+ system, pioneered by the GTI, that applies the brakes to the inside wheels to aid cornering.
The second generation of the Passat Alltrack will debut in a couple of weeks at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. The market launch in Germany is scheduled to take place shortly after that.
Compared to the Passat Variant, the suspension is raised by 27.5mm (1.1 inch), allowing for more clearance space. Changes to the bodywork include dark plastic inserts for the wheel arches, side skirts, protection for the lower doors and of course changes to the front and rear bumpers. There, we also see aluminum plates added for more protection and also for a premium look.
Bespoke 17-inch wheels are also available as standard, though you can opt for larger 18- or 19-inch if you're not concerned about damage.
The new business class goes on an adventure
As we've already mentioned, the Passat Alltrack comes as standard with 4Motion based on an existing Haldex. An Off Road setting for the powertrain mapping has also been added and the ABS system is re-designed to work in limited traction conditions.The engines are borrowed directly from the regular Passat range, all featuring direct injection and fuel-saving tech. Two turbocharged petrols are available, the base 1.4 TSI with 150 PS and the 220 PS 2.0 TSI. But most European customers will go for one of the three TDI diesels, which have more torque. The base unit pushes 150 PS, followed by the 190 PS high output version and the 240 PS twin-turbo. The most powerful petrol and diesel units get Volkswagen's XDS+ system, pioneered by the GTI, that applies the brakes to the inside wheels to aid cornering.
The second generation of the Passat Alltrack will debut in a couple of weeks at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. The market launch in Germany is scheduled to take place shortly after that.
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