- An all-wheel-drive edition of the European Passat wagon will debut in late November at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
- VW of America has no plans to sell the Passat Alltrack.
- The Passat Alltrack will go on sale in Europe and other global markets in early 2012.
WOLFSBURG, Germany — The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, a new all-wheel-drive edition of the European Passat wagon, will make its global debut in late November at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show — but it won't make the trans-Atlantic trek to North America any time soon.
"Because it's based on the European Passat, we have no plans to sell it here," said VW of America spokesman Mark Gillies in a telephone conversation with Inside Line.
In the U.S., VW sells a different version of the Passat, one that was designed primarily for the North American market and is assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
VW said the Passat Alltrack will go on sale in Europe and other global markets outside the U.S. in early 2012.
The Passat Alltrack is fitted with VW's 4Motion system, with ride height raised 1.8 inches. The wagon gets such SUV-like cues as flared wheel arches and side sills, and stainless-steel-look front and rear underbody protection panels. Other exterior features include matte chrome roof rails, window surrounds, grille and exterior mirror casings.
With an electrohydraulic Haldex clutch, power to the rear wheels can be increased as needed. The Passat Alltrack also has an off-road mode with hill descent assist, as well as electronic differential locks.
Among the powertrain choices are a 138-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI engine with six-speed manual gearbox and a 168-hp 2.0 TDI with six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.
Inside Line says: But don't be surprised to see it head eventually to China.
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recdotautosfan says:
12:08 PM, 04/04/2012
I love my 2008 Passat wagon, and would never buy a sedan.
makakio says:
07:19 PM, 02/26/2012
screw you, VWNA!
blackbird1996 says:
12:38 PM, 02/22/2012
I think this car would be very successful here in America. I know 3 people right now who would buy it. It suits their needs perfectly. Very comfortable, excellent space for storage, perfect for harsh weather which most of us have to endure during the winter, great gas mileage, and its easy to park in our crowded shopping centers. I'm 33 and would love to own this vehicle. I think they are making a mistake by not selling it here. Perhaps it would compete with their Tiguan too much.
For all the American haters in this thread: Your jealousy is obvious. Lighten up.
quattro2000 says:
09:22 PM, 12/31/2011
Not all americans drive big stupid SUV's with 8 seats and one passenger. Not all americans drive pickup trucks some like sport cars and fuel efficient cars. VW is stupid for not selling this car in the US. I have been waiting for the TDI tiguan for years and nothing. If this car sold here I would buy it. But since the only viable option in the US is Subaru Outback that is probably what I will buy even though I have owned 12 VW and Audi's in the past. Sorry Germany Im moving to Japan.
k55 says:
09:07 AM, 11/28/2011
openeyes1 says:
07:32 AM, 11/28/2011
@fishknuckle; Americans do love their Giant Gas Hogs, and the fatter they get the more they love them. SUV's also give you a number of further advantages by; blocking front visibility of the lower vehicles behind them, driving lesser vehicles more easily off the road, effortlessly rolling these top heavy pig on icy roads because of excess speed, and sucking down gas faster than America can import it.
@k55; Lets see you drive an SUV or Pickup as your commuter vehicle, I'm guessing that's correct?
Nah, you guessed wrong...Beeeeep............I drive a 2011 Mini Cooper S..........I was just reacting to knuckle fish sandwich and his h8 of Americans.
openeyes1 says:
07:32 AM, 11/28/2011
@fishknuckle; Americans do love their Giant Gas Hogs, and the fatter they get the more they love them. SUV's also give you a number of further advantages by; blocking front visibility of the lower vehicles behind them, driving lesser vehicles more easily off the road, effortlessly rolling these top heavy pig on icy roads because of excess speed, and sucking down gas faster than America can import it.
@k55; Lets see you drive an SUV or Pickup as your commuter vehicle, I'm guessing that's correct?
k55 says:
12:00 PM, 11/27/2011
fishknuckle says:
05:48 AM, 11/25/2011
Supid Americans and their love of the stupid SUV. That's why VW won't import them or for that matter build them here. The SUV, that's why we can't get wagons, stupid. So for those of us who still like cars and don't enjoy driving a truck and "being high off the road for a better view" we're limited to very few practical family haulers.
So I'm not completely sure .......but I think this fish is saying we 'mericans are stoopid. HA. little duz he kno. Lets fry us this fish up in a pan Jethro and let him chew on on whole fist full a knuckles Billy Bob. Stoopid is as stoopid duz is like a box of choclates as my mamma always sayz.
2006vr6 says:
06:43 AM, 11/25/2011
Wow...a lot of anger. Why? Can't figure. I got 2 Passats. An 06 VR6 4Motion & an 08 Lux wagon for the Mrs. Liked the bang for the buck for the 06 we traded in an 03 Allroad for the 08 lux wagon. American cars are coming back. The new Chrysler 300 I think is a real good competitor to German sedans. Want fast - the new Mustangs can't be beat for value. American will be my next purchase but that is a long way off as my 06 Passat still brings a smile & remains solid w/ a lot of extra's. Hey I'm not angry VW is manufacturing the Passat for less money. It's more segregated from an Audi A6 now - but they will probably sell a heck of a lot more of them because of the lower price. It is what it is - move on.
fishknuckle says:
05:48 AM, 11/25/2011
Supid Americans and their love of the stupid SUV. That's why VW won't import them or for that matter build them here. The SUV, that's why we can't get wagons, stupid. So for those of us who still like cars and don't enjoy driving a truck and "being high off the road for a better view" we're limited to very few practical family haulers.
garrym says:
04:26 PM, 11/24/2011
Of course VW won't give you Americans or us north of the border decent models, because many people don't have the driving conditions or the same attitude when it comes to driving as people do in Europe.
So, unfortunately those of us who appreciate real enthusiast automobiles lose out. At least some autmakers out there still care about us.