Volkswagen releases first sketches of all-new Passat

Volkswagen has revealed the first details of its upcoming all-new Passat. The new car will be premiered at the Paris Motor Show in October before arriving in showrooms in early 2015. Expect pricing to be similar to the current model, which costs from £20,375.

The new Passat is slightly smaller than the outgoing car, yet has more interior space for both passengers and luggage. Thanks to the use of more up-to-date materials including aluminium, the new car is 85kg lighter and is expected to deliver 20 per cent better fuel economy.

Those economy gains will be owed partly to the introduction of a new plug-in hybrid model, which will have a range of around 30 miles on battery power and a range of more than 600 miles overall. Volkswagen is also introducing a new 240PS twin-turbo diesel with 500Nm of torque, offered with a new seven-speed DSG transmission and all-wheel drive.

A comprehensive array of technology will be available, including automated parking, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 360-degree parking camera and even a system to assist the driver when reversing with a trailer or caravan. There are also safety systems familiar from other Volkswagen models, like city emergency braking, lane keep assist and cruise control.

Volkswagen’s early sketches reveal a Passat that shares a lot of its styling with the current Volkswagen CC. There’s a coupe-like roofline and broad-shoulders, which make the car look wider and more purposeful than the traditionally styled, outgoing Passat. You can expect photographs of the all-new Passat to appear later in the Summer, ahead of the public reveal at the Paris Motor Show in October.