What's all this about?
It's a new Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, due for a Geneva Motor Show debut.
Alltrack? Is this one of those jacked-up, off-road estates?
Correct, following the example set by other Volkswagen Group products (Skoda Octavia Scout, SEAT Leon X-Perience, Audi A6 allroad quattro et al) and succeeding a similar Alltrack version of the preceding B7 Passat, which was introduced in 2012.
So does it follow the predictable pattern in this sector?
If you mean 'does it have lots of plastic body cladding, a higher ride height and all-wheel drive', then the answer is yes. The Alltrack rides 27.5mm higher than the normal Passat Estate does, it has revised front and rear bumpers for improved approach/departure angles when tackling off-road inclines and there's extra underbody protection as well as the black plastic you can see on the lower portions of the exterior. Various other visual changes include bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels and an Alcantara/fabric interior trim.
How about technology?
There's a new on-board infotainment system and useful gadgetry like Trailer Assist, while the Alltrack comes as standard with 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive. This means it is essentially front-wheel drive until torque needs to be sent to the rear axle due to a loss of traction. The Passat's normal three-mode drive selection system has an extra setting, called (unsurprisingly) Off-Road.
What engines are on offer?
Pretty much the same ones as found in the Passat Estate: two petrol turbos (of 150- and 220hp) or three versions of the 2.0 TDI (150-, 190- and 240hp). The 150hp cars come with six-speed manual transmissions and the higher output Alltracks all get six-speed DSG dual-clutch autos as standard. The most powerful petrol and diesel versions benefit from XDS+, a form of electronic 'differential' that can brake an inside wheel during cornering to help prevent understeer.
Will it be more expensive than a Passat Estate?
You can count on it - every other car in this niche sector plays the same trick of charging you more for what is likely to be superfluous extra off-road ability. The Passat Alltrack is expected to go on sale in Europe from September.
Matt Robinson - 19 Feb 2015