Volkswagen has taken the covers off the mid-life update for the Passat range – with this iteration the most advanced yet.
It introduces Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive umbrella brand for assistance systems and will feature kit such as the semi-autonomous Travel Assist, which can do the steering and speed control at speeds up to 130mph – a first for a VW model.
The capacitive steering wheel includes touch sensors to ensure the driver holds onto the wheel when Travel Assist is engaged, while emergency steering assist and lane assist are also fitted to the updated Passat.
For the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE, Volkswagen has increased to zero-emission range up to 34 miles from 31 – and when combined, the electric motor and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine develop 214bhp.
Customers will also be able to choose from the newly developed 2.0-litre Evo diesel engine that develops 148bhp and lower emissions than the previous diesel used – while three petrol engines and three further diesel units are also included.
Volkswagen will be offering the standard Passat and estate version in Business, Elegance and R-Line trim levels – with the GTE and estate-only Alltrack models also being built.
The interior design has also been simplified, with a large central touchscreen and Digital Cockpit display available.
Pricing and full specification is yet to be confirmed, with Volkswagen publicly debuting the updated Passat at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show next month.
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