Design:

After 41 years in existence, there’s little to tell that this Passat is the same car which had, during its seven previous incarnations, spawned over 23 million sales worldwide. With swooping lines, longer bonnet, shorter overhangs and trapezoidal tailpipes, the design of this Passat has a clarity which makes it much more contemporary and fashionable than anything before wearing the same moniker.

Overall length is 2mm shorter than the previous model, although the wheelbase is 79mm longer. It also sits lower too, by 14mm, and wider by 12mm, while the unladen weight has been reduced by 85kg.

Both the four-door saloon and estate will be available from launch, with each offering more cargo space than past variants. The saloon’s boot is roomier by 21 litres, up from 565 litres to 586 litres, while the estate delivers a maximum load area of 1780 litres, an increase of 47 litres.

Engines:

Just the EU6-compliant 2.0-litre TDI 150hp will be available from launch, although higher-output versions are planned to follow shortly afterwards – a 190hp or a 240hp bi-turbo with a 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

There are also plans afoot to introduce a 1.6TDI 118bhp plus an emissions-busting plug-in hybrid which will see a 1.4-litre TSI coupled to an 80kW electric engine.  

All versions will have a Stop/Start system and a regenerative braking mode. A DSG auto box will be an optional extra, instead of the standard 6-speed manual, but will be included on the 2.0-litre 240hp bi-turbo. Fuel efficiency gains across the range are said to have been improved by up to 20%.

Inside:

The benefits from the longer and wider wheelbase make a dramatic and immediate difference to the overall sense of spaciousness within the cabin; with improved leg and headroom.

All models will feature a far more comprehensive list of standard equipment, including DAB radio, Volkswagen’s latest modular 5-inch touchscreen with proximity sensors, including the Car Net remote app, plus plenty of connectivity through Bluetooth and USB ports.

Higher-spec trims will gain from the optional Active Info Display, which replaces the instrument cluster with a fully configurable interactive 12.3-inch TFT screen. A heads-up display unit and the latest version of Park Assist, where the car will park itself forwards into a perpendicular space, will also be available.    

Most markets will get a three-trim model range comprising the familiar Trendline, Comfortline and Highline grades, with pricing starting at €25,350. Fleet-honed Business versions will also be available in some countries, usually based on the mid-spec version.

What we think:

Sleek new lines, a reconfigured and larger cabin, and higher level of standard equipment, but no radical change to what is fundamentally a stalwart of the VW line-up. Over the years, the Passat has become a known and well-supported commodity by the fleet user, and from what we’ve seen thus far, there’s no reason to believe this model won’t continue that success.