ge4631290107885281553
ge5492049961873348961
ge5271608696872866411
ge5331221916781261381
ge4835972755688621107
John Mahoney20 Feb 2015
NEWS

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack outed

Volkswagen confirms it will launch a high-riding, all-wheel drive rival for the Subaru Outback at Geneva

A more rugged, off-road version of the Volkswagen Passat will appear at the Geneva motor show in March.

Called the Passat Alltrack, the new 4x4 variant of the Volkswagen wagon will be a natural rival for cars like the Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad.

Keen to prove its off-road credentials, Volkswagen engineers have worked hard to create a Passat that’s happy in the dirt.

That’s why a raised body height has increased ground clearance slightly and, to help improve its off-road capability further VW also went as far as redesigning the Passat’s front and rear bumpers to increase both approach and departure angles.

Underneath, VW claims, there’s plenty of added underbody armour as well as the predictable door sill and wheel-arch black protective plastic cladding.

All-wheel drive is standard on the Passat Alltrack with the Volkswagen wagon benefiting from the latest fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system that’s quicker to react by shuffling torque when it detects slip. In normal use the rear axle is decoupled for efficiency.

The Haldex system can also lock the four-wheel drive in 50:50 torque split front-to-rear in slippery conditions while the stability control can also split torque across axles to mimic a limited-slip differential. Volkswagen has also added its XDS+ e-diff on the most powerful models that helps the VW corner faster.

To help the Passat Alltrack avoid getting stuck off-road Volkswagen has also created an off-road mode for its stability control system. On dirt and gravel road the ABS brakes are recalibrated for shorter stopping distances. The Alltrack’s ESP also now features Trailer Assist which helps the Passat wagon safely tow trailers up to 2200kg.

In Europe two turbocharged petrol engines will be offered, a 110kW- 1.4-litre TSI and a more powerful 162kW 2.0-litre. On the diesel side there will be three diesels stretching from 140kW to 176kW. Volkswagen’s six-speed dual clutch automatic is offered on the more powerful variants while the six-speed manual is standard.

Inside, the Alltrack is little different from the rest of the Passat range with stainless steel door sills, a new half Alcantara fabric seats and a new 6.5-inch media system that now features Apple CarPlay infotainment. An 8.0-inch radio navigation will also be offered.

The new Passat will finally go on sale in Australia around October, with the Alltrack crossover version to join it here in early 2016.

Share this article
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.