Here’s the new Volkswagen Passat we’re not getting
A leaked image has shown the next-generation Volkswagen Passat days ahead of its global unveiling, but don't expect to see one in your local showroom.
The 2024 Volkswagen Passat has purportedly leaked online ahead of its unveiling in the coming days.
However, as reported by Drive last month, Volkswagen won't be bringing the new-generation Passat to Australia, as the brand streamlines its model range locally.
The image – which appears to have been taken from the cover of an overseas magazine – shows the Passat adopting Volkswagen's latest design language, and bringing it closer in appearance to the German car-maker's 'ID' line of electric vehicles.
The Passat will be only available in all markets where it is sold as a wagon, due to sedan buyers reportedly only making up the minority of sales.
While the Passat was used by the likes of police in Victoria and NSW, Volkswagen Australia says it is making way for more SUVs and battery-powered models in its showrooms.
"We're recalibrating our portfolio to SUVs and electric vehicles [plus Golf and Polo hatchbacks], and that's it. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made," Volkswagen Australia director of passenger vehicles Michal Szeniecki told Drive in July 2023.
"We're doing a bit of a clean-up before we enter our chapter of electric vehicles."
Full details of the new model will be announced when the 2024 Volkswagen Passat is unveiled in the coming days.