Yahoo Autos Volkswagen allegedly begins working on a more upscale Passat replacement
Volkswagen has given the on-again, off-again ninth-generation Passat the proverbial green light for production, according to a recent report. Developed for global markets, it will mark a big departure from the current model.
Although the company remains committed to the sedan segment, British magazine Autocar reported it nearly axed the Passat from its range. Executives considered putting the nameplate out to pasture to focus on the stylish Arteon, which is now offered as a station wagon in Europe, and on the upcoming production version of the electric ID.Vizzion concept introduced in 2018. Demand from China reportedly changed Volkswagen's mind.
Due out in 2023, the next-generation Passat will again be offered as a sedan and as a station wagon. It will be closely related to the Škoda Superb, though we don't know if it will keep the current model's trunk lid or receive its Czech sibling's hatch. Either way, it will be built on an evolution of the highly modular MQB platform, which is hardly a surprise considering the eighth-generation model sold in Europe already rides on these bones. What's interesting is that the report claims America's variant of the next-generation Passat will be built on MQB, too.
Whether the two models will again converge is up in the air at this point. Autocar learned the car's styling has already been signed off, and coexisting with the Arteon allowed it to move in a more practical direction.
