2015 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack DSG

Volkswagen reveals the second generation of its high-riding Passat Alltrack estate The second-generation Volkswagen Passat Alltrack.Unveiled at the Geneva motor show back in March, the high-riding four-wheel-drive estate is planned to head into UK showrooms in October at an entry-level price close to the £23,845 of the first-generation model that has been on sale here since 2013.Based on the sharply styled eighth-generation Passat Estate, the new Passat Alltrack is set apart from its sibling by a series of subtle exterior styling changes similar to those adopted by its predecessor.Most apparent are the unique front bumper, which receives a silver plastic scuff plate and black plastic valance panel, and the integrated foglights on higher-end versions.Further changes include the addition of Alltrack badges on the grille and front wings, silver and black mirror housings, integrated roof rails, black cladding within the wheelarches and along the sills and a new rear bumper with a black plastic valance panel housing trapezoidal-shaped chromed tailpipes.The Passat Alltrack is also fitted with superior underbody protection and, with new springs and dampers, boasts a ride height of 174mm – 28mm more than that of the standard Passat Estate. Wheels are 17in as standard, although 18in rims, as fitted to our test car, or even larger 19s are optional.  The Passat Alltrack will be offered with two petrol and three diesel engines, although a decision on which units will come to the UK remains to be confirmed. On the petrol side is a base 148bhp 1.4-litre engine and a gutsier 217bhp 2.0. The diesels include 148bhp (as tested here), 187bhp and 237bhp versions of Volkswagen's 2.0 TDI engine.As with the first-generation Passat Alltrack, this second-generation model features an electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch 4Motion four-wheel drive system as standard. Models running the range-topping 237bhp petrol and 237bhp diesel engines also receive VW’s XDS+ electronic differential system, which provides selective braking to the front wheels for added traction.

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