German car maker Volkswagen have announced that they will continue to expand their range of electric cars with an all-electric version of their Passat. The Passat has long been a popular model in their line-up having been produced since 1973, and the new electric version will be coming to the United Kingdom in 2023.
According to Autocar it will be an upmarket model that will share the same platform as the Skoda Superb. The right-hand drive version will be produced in a new greenfield location established by Skoda as it expands production. This will end 36 years of the Passat being manufactured in Volkswagen’s Emden factory located in north-west Germany.
It isn’t the end of the Emden factory, though. This will be converted and used to produce Volkswagen’s 1D.4 sports utility vehicle (SUV), which follows on from their 1D.3 hatchback electric car launched earlier this year. Production of the ID.4 is scheduled to start in Emden in 2022.
It has not been confirmed, but Volkswagen are expected to offer the new electric version of the Passat in front and four-wheel-drive versions, and in saloon and estate styles. There may also be a crossover all-road version with greater ground clearance and a more off-road aesthetic.
Volkswagen told Autocar: “With the Arteon we already have a style leader in the segment. This leaves the door open for the Passat to become even more space-orientated than today’s model.”
