The newly-revealed Passat, captured by the Motor1 team at the 2023 IAA Mobility event in Munich, doesn't sport the "Made in Germany" badge. Volkswagen has shifted the manufacturing of this midsize vehicle, internally referred to as B9, to Bratislava, Slovakia. Here, it will be assembled alongside the forthcoming Skoda Superb. Although the Passat is discontinuing its sedan version, Skoda will keep offering both the liftback and wagon variants. Interesting to note, the development of the new Passat was actually led by the Czech automaker.
Regarding the specific vehicle showcased, it is undoubtedly one of the priciest configurations of the 2024 Passat line. It's not just an eHybrid model featuring an electric powertrain, but it also belongs to the high-end R-Line series, boasting aerodynamically efficient 19-inch wheels. Fortunately, this model has done away with the faux quad exhaust outlets that were a feature on the prior-generation Passat R-Line following its mid-cycle update.
It’s important to point out that the Passat has grown in size. Its overall length has been extended by 144 mm (5.7 inches) to 4,917 mm (193.5 in), and its width has expanded by 20 mm (0.8 in) to 1,852 mm (72.9 in). Engineers have also elongated the wagon version's wheelbase by 50 mm (1.97 in) to 2,841 mm (111.8 in), adding extra space for rear passengers.
Being more closely aligned mechanically with the Superb Combi than ever before, the Passat's cargo space is unsurprisingly spacious. The cargo volume has increased by 40 liters (1.41 cubic feet) to 690 l (24.3 cu ft) when the rear seats are upright. Folding down the rear seat expands the cargo space to 1,920 l (67.8 cu ft), an increase of 140 liters (4.9 cu ft) compared to the previous version.
The new Passat is slated to hit the European market in the first quarter of 2024.
Source: Motor1