Volkswagen Passat: Petrol-only range due early in 2021

Volkswagen Australia will bolster its Passat line-up with more variants in the new year, headlined by the return of the high-riding Alltrack wagon as well as the powerful 206TSI.

Due to hit Australian showrooms during the first quarter of 2021 – more than 12 months after initially planned – the facelifted Passat will remain exclusively petrol powered.

Sedan and wagon body styles will be offered, as well as the more rugged Alltrack, which will make the switch to petrol for the first time.

Speaking with CarExpert, a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson said the new models will bolster the existing fleet-spec 140TSI Business models.

“Passat’s full range returns in early 2021 as does the Arteon. In addition to the already available 140TSI, Passat will resume as a 162TSI sedan and wagon, and highly specified 206TSI 4Motion wagon,” he said.

“With 162kW and 350Nm, we’re also pleased to offer the Alltrack again,” Pottinger continued, adding the previous model’s 140kW 2.0 TDI diesel hasn’t been available for the Australian market for some time.

Like the related Skoda Superb, due to arrive during the third quarter as a full line-up, the facelifted Passat brings minor design changes and upgraded technology and features.

Key updates should include the availability of a new MIB3 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay functionality, Matrix LED headlights dubbed ‘IQ. Light’, and VW’s latest ‘IQ. Drive’ driver assists.

Further details will come to hand closer to the Passat’s launch in the new year, so stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest.