Volkswagen will debut the rugged-looking Passat Alltrack at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show ahead of international sales starting next year.
Using the Passat wagon as a starting point, the Alltrack version gains Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system and a ride height raised to 165mm. With styling revisions front and rear, Volkswagen says the off-road Passat delivers an approach angle of 16 degrees, departure angle of 13.6 degrees and a break-over angle of 12.8 degrees.
In normal running, Volkswagen’s 4MOTION system only transmits 10 per cent of power to the rear wheels (saving on fuel consumption), but in tough going, the electrohydraulic clutch can shift almost 100 per cent to rear drive.
In off-road mode the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack engages hill descent assist and DSG automatic transmission models adopt a revised shift pattern.
In Europe the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack will be sold with a choice of two different 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines but as yet no Australian details have been announced.
