The world could be transferring in direction of SUVs, however Volkswagen is not about to throw away 50 years of historical past (to not point out 30 million gross sales) when it comes its iconic Passat household automobile, and has unveiled a brand new ninth-generation mannequin boasting extra premium supplies and an upgraded plug-in hybrid drivetrain that provides extra electrical vary, with out compromising area and practicality – which has additionally been boosted on this newest mannequin.

The brand new Volkswagen Passat will solely be accessible as an property, and with its sleeker appears may even now occupy the area in VW’s line-up beforehand occupied by the Arteon Taking pictures Brake, and the sleeker design of this new B9 Passat reveals this. The lengthy physique, sharp traces and easy face supply a slicker look, whereas on the rear there is a full-width gentle bar as per a lot of VW’s newest vehicles, such because the not too long ago up to date T-Cross small SUV. Passat is now spelled out in letters on the tailgate, too.

Go for R-Line trim and there is a sportier look, with a deeper entrance bumper that options extra black plastic and as much as 19-inch wheels accessible. The lengthy, low, easy look helps increase aerodynamic effectivity too, with a drag coefficient of 0.25Cd in contrast with its predecessor’s 0.31 declare.

In contrast with the outgoing automobile, the brand new Passat affords an enormous quantity extra practicality, too. It is 144mm longer, with 50mm of that enhance attributable to an extended wheelbase. We sat within the rear of the brand new Passat forward of its unveiling and might affirm that there is big legroom on supply – way more than the earlier automobile – whereas boot area stands at 690 litres with the rear seats in place, 40 litres greater than the eighth-generation mannequin. Fold the seats down and this rises to 1,920 litres, 140 greater than its predecessor.

An enormous bonus is that there isn’t any compromise in boot area when choosing the newly up to date plug-in hybrid powertrain both. There are two PHEVs on supply, with outputs of 201bhp or 268bhp. Each powertrains use a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electrical motor fed by a 19.7kWh battery; the pack is identical bodily measurement as within the earlier Passat eHybrid, however its cells are extra vitality dense within the new automobile to supply as much as 62 miles of all-electric operating, the model claims. VW says that with petrol and electrical energy sources mixed, the Passat eHybrid’s vary stands at greater than 620 miles.

For the primary time the eHybrid may even supply DC fast cost compatibility, with the battery capable of settle for a 50kW feed. This implies a ten to 80 per cent top-up will take round 25 minutes, whereas a brand new 11kW on-board charger means house top-ups can take as little as two hours.

Alongside the PHEV pairing, patrons can select from a 148bhp 1.5-litre eTSI 48-volt mild-hybrid motor with 250Nm of torque and “enhanced Lively Cylinder Administration”. Together with the potential for coasting, this can enhance effectivity.

Two 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engines shall be supplied, with a selection of 201bhp and 261bhp, each with 4MOTION four-wheel drive. Diesel choices are coated by 120bhp and 148bhp front-wheel drive 2.0 TDI engines, whereas the extra highly effective 190bhp mannequin comes with 4MOTION four-wheel drive as customary, permitting for a most towing weight of as much as 2,200kg. All Passat fashions will solely include an computerized dual-clutch gearbox (six-speed for plug-in fashions, seven-speed for the whole lot else); no guide shall be accessible.

Alongside the upgrades to the Passat’s PHEV powertrains, there was an overhaul inside with regards to tech. VW’s MIB4 infotainment system options, with claims of a extra intuitive person interface.

It is displayed on a 12.9-inch touchscreen as customary, with an non-obligatory 15-inch panel accessible relying on spec, and each panels characteristic a everlasting local weather management bar on the display screen, plus backlit sliders beneath this for temperature and quantity. On the prime of the display screen customers can configure 5 favorite icons, making it simpler to entry mostly used areas of the infotainment for various people and decreasing the variety of contact inputs wanted to change from one space to a different. 

All fashions get a ten.25-inch digital sprint fitted as customary that options 4 configurable shows, whereas there is a new head-up show accessible.

Bodily buttons make a return to the steering wheel, whereas the drive selector has been moved to the steering column (like in VW’s ID. fashions) to liberate extra cupboard space on the centre console, which affords a pair of cup-holders and loads of bins and cubbies.

VW has enhanced its MQB evo platform with new options resembling DCC Professional adaptive suspension dampers which are linked to the automobile’s Automobile Dynamics Supervisor and driving mode choice. DCC Professional-equipped fashions characteristic two-valve dampers with quicker appearing software program and {hardware} to enhance journey high quality and dealing with, with VW claiming the Passat is best to drive on the extra dynamic finish of the spectrum, and in addition affords premium ranges of consolation – and VW is explicitly focusing on the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes with this new Passat.

On this entrance, there’s a spread of premium-level devices too, together with IQ.Matrix LED headlights, Park Help Plus and Park Help Professional. Park Help Plus is a well-known VW system that enables driving into or out of areas routinely, whereas the latter is able to this with the driving force not sitting within the automobile, doable because of the automobile’s functionality to recollect the final 50 metres of its journey. The standard stage of driver help and security tech is on supply, too.

This increase in area, tech, effectivity and high quality means the Passat may even seemingly rise in worth for this ninth-generation mannequin. It can begin from 39,995 euros when it goes on sale in February subsequent yr in Germany, so anticipate a rise over essentially the most reasonably priced outgoing mannequin – the £35,395 1.5 TSI Evo 150 SE Nav DSG – when it goes on sale within the UK across the identical time. Deliveries will observe in spring.

Click on right here for our record of the perfect government vehicles on sale proper now…