Only a few weeks after the saloon's launch in the UK, VW has released images of the new estate version of the Passat. As you can see, the new estate is a handsome car, and in line with many modern cars is actually better proportioned than the saloon counterpart thanks to the sloping rear hatch and large LED rear lights.
As with most cars, the Passat Estate has grown: the new car is 19mm taller, 74mm wider and 92mm longer. Full details are not yet available, but the maximum cargo volume has increased from 1600 to 1731 litres. An optional extra available at launch will be self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension.
We drove the new Passat recently (watch out for the launch review on the main
Road Tests page) and the new Estate will feature the same electronic handbrake and '2Zone' climate control system. The handbrake works very well, though operates on all four wheels, so don't expect any handbrake turn tomfoolery!
A wide range of power units will be available at the Estate's UK launch: 1.6-litre FSI; 2.0-litre FSI; 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI; and 3.2-litre FSI V6 petrol engines, plus 1.9-litre TDI and 2.0-litre TDI diesels with high pressure Pumpe Düse unit injection. A 2.0-litre TDI with nearly 170bhp will follow later. UK sales start in November, so we should get to see the car for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Prices will be announced closer to the on sale date.
Shane O' Donoghue - 9 Jun 2005
