WLTP regulations stagger production of 2020 Passat; launch delayed

Volkswagen has been struggling with the new WLTP emissions regulations. This has altered the production schedule of the 2020 Passat, which in turn, is affecting the company’s Australian division. All these have resulted in postponing of the launch schedule of the nameplate to an indefinite period.

The new 2020 Volkswagen Passat was originally scheduled to arrive into the Australian precincts by the end of 2019. However, owing to the production issue borne out of WLTP emissions regulations, the introduction of the entire line-up into the local market will be completed in 2020. However, the entry-level 140TSI turbo petrol variant may arrive before the advent of 2020. This petrol unit will be armed with the base grades, which suggests that the Australian market will be initially getting the Comfortline trim. This will be followed by the arrival of 162TSI and 206TSI 4Motion variants. Also, the Highline and R-Line trims will equip more powerful gasoline mills.

The aforementioned 162TSI mill will be powering the crossover-styled Passat Alltrack, which will hit the market in 2020. It will also be furnished with the 4Motion all-wheel drive. Furthermore, there will also be 140TDI diesel versions of both the standard and high-riding Passat, which may not be hitting the markets initially. 

Keeping the launch speculations aside, we know that the 2020 Passat will be bringing a host of new features and modules. This is likely to include IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights, IQ.Drive semi-autonomous drive assist aided by adaptive cruise and lane-keeping systems. The latter helps to automate driving between 0-210 kmph. Volkswagen Australia has also hinted towards the introduction of MIB3 infotainment into the upcoming Passat. If this is so, the nameplate will feature Apple CarPlay support for the first time.