The new generation Volkswagen Passat has been available with eTSI (mild-hybrid) and TDI (diesel) power since last November. More recently, the family has grown to include additional powertrains, available, depending on the specification, on the Passat, Business, Elegance, and R-Line grades.
Two plug-in hybrids have joined the offering, mixing a 114 hp (116 ps/85 kW) electric motor with a 1.5L TSI gasoline unit, making 148 hp (150 ps/110 kW) on the lesser variant and 175 hp (177 ps/130 kW) on the upper spec. The former has a combined 201 hp (204 ps/150 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque, and the latter boasts 268 hp (272 ps/200 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm).
Volkswagen says both feature a 19.7 kWh battery pack that can be recharged at 11 kW using a wall box or 50 kW at DC stations. With the battery fully juiced up, it has a zero-emission range of 75 miles (120 km). The Passat eHybrid 204 can be configured to the base, Business, and Elegance trim levels, starting at €50,320 ($54,705) in Germany, and the eHybrid 272 is available on the Elegance and R-Line grades, priced from €62,330 ($67,760).
A base diesel has also joined the offering. Said to be one of the most economical in the mid-size class, the entry-level Passat TDI has 120 hp (122 ps/90 kW) on tap and a peak torque of 236 lb-ft (320 Nm). This turbodiesel is available on the Passat and Business trim levels and starts at €41,745 in its home market, equaling $45,380 at the current exchange rates.
Photo: Volkswagen
Speaking of oil burners available for the new generation Volkswagen Passat in Europe, the lineup also includes a much punchier proposal. It enjoys 190 hp (193 ps/142 kW) and comes with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The German automaker says this model has a maximum towing rating of 4,850 lbs (2,200 kg). It's available on the Elegance and R-Line specifications and kicks off at €57,335 ($62,330).
Besides the latest additions to the powertrain family, the new Passat has been available with other mills since November last year. The lineup also includes the eTSI mild-hybrid, featuring a 48-volt belt-driven starter alternation, which kicks off at €39,995 ($43,480). This powertrain is limited to the two least affordable versions of the series, whereas the 147 hp (150 ps/110 kW) TDI diesel is available on the Business, Elegance, and R-Line and comes from €48,495 ($52,720) locally.
Presented over half a year ago, the new-gen Passat is a station wagon-only proposal, as it is unavailable as a sedan. It shares its VW Group MQB Evo underpinnings with the latest Skoda Superb, which comes as a liftback and estate and won't apply for a US visa, as such models are not popular anymore in our market, having lost ground to crossovers and SUVs.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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