After producing more than 30 million units, Volkswagen is proud to say that the Passat is the best-selling midsize sedan ever. It is currently built on three continents in 10 factories for more than 100 brands and represents the company’s most popular type plate after the all-conquering Gulf. Although the “Passat” name is used all over the world, the MQB-based European version is far softer than its American cousin which sticks even more to PQ46 substrates from more than 15 years ago.
That will change with the next-generation model as well Autocar has it with good authority drive the Passat B9 all over the world on an updated MQB platform. The Euro-spec version will technically not be produced by VW, as the assembly of the midsize sedan and wagon at the Emden plant in Germany will end. As per announcement made in November 2018, the next Passat will be built by Skoda next to sister model Superb in the Czech Republic at the Kvasiny plant.
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It seems that the future of Passat was more than a year in the air, because the idea to fully support the model ran from VW’s thoughts. Eventually, the head honchos decided to keep the model alive, a car that had been selling the Wolfsburg brand for 36 years without interruption. The next gen model is said to be growing in size and adopting a longer wheelbase for superior legroom.
Practicality will be further enhanced by widening the tracks, while a conservative design approach will place an emphasis on interior space instead of fancy styling. This is because the role of a more visually appealing Passat is once again attributed to the Arteon, which recently went through a mid-cycle upgrade that brings a wagon body style, as well as plug-in hybrid and spicy R derivatives.
Speaking of wagons, Autocar claims that the Passat B9 will continue to be offered with a long roof, complete with an attached sibling of Alltrack. Interestingly, it is not known whether the regular model will remain a traditional sedan or whether it will switch to a more practical liftback form in the same vein as the aforementioned Superb and Arteon. For what it’s worth, the design is thought to be finalized, while the updated MQB platform will offer greater support for electrification, including a pure EV.
The report goes on to mention that VW has plans to buy the new Passat in the UK in 2023, which should coincide with the European launch of the model. It remains to be seen whether North America and other markets will have to wait any longer. If you are sitting in front of the anti-SUV audience and are really happy that the Passat is sticking with it, you should thank the Chinese division of VW for the new model. They are believed to be the driving force behind the B9, convincing the higher-ups in Deutschland to give the next-gen Passat the proverbial green light to satisfy China’s consistently strong demand, even in today’s crossover / SUV. craze.
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