I wonder what this equates to, in old brochure marketing "up to" speak...the 70km? :

• up to 55 km (34 miles) of WLTP range; up to 70 km (43.5 miles) of NEDC range (20 km or 40% more than previous generation)

# I mean the GOM, on full, would it show 70km / 44miles ?


Also the keeping of 3.6kw onboard charger is a shame (doesn't the v2 eGolf have a higher power one? so they have a higher power one in their factory supply box)

But, it is progress isn't it ! very much in right direction.
& yes wondering what this battery would give, in a Golf, or Polo....

 

Does this get a lower company car tax come 2020?

 

The more than 30-mile electric range lowers BIK from 14% to 12%.

 

7.2kW charger should be standard now. Disappointing that it's not got that at least as an option.

 

There was an interview with the man from VW who stated it was mostly a technology upgrad as there is only so much they can physically cram into the current vehicle architecture.

The biggest issue with the refresh has been the fact they have dropped the analogue clock!

 

The biggest issue with the refresh has been the fact they have dropped the analogue clock!

But kept the stupid and flimsy charge port door!

 

I notice elsewhere it is being referred to as a Passat GTE generation 8.5. Are the changes really that significant or will it be worth waiting for Passat generation 9?

 

You'll be waiting another 2 years for gen9 at a guess. Gen8.5 is a mid life refresh with front grill and bumper updates plus front and rear lights. Interior looks similar. Liking the new look. Plus a battery upgrade makes the E mode far more useable.

 

I wonder what advances will be made over the next 2 years - will it be in EV technology and/or will it be in autonomy?

 

This is really disappointing, I was hoping and waiting for the Superb PHEV figuring it would be an Ampera substitute, but it looks like they are not using much of that 13kWh battery after all, and what they do use is not used that efficiently.

 

I expect there will never be a car like the Ampera again.

 

As consumers we will look back in a few years time and wonder what all the fuss was about in acceptance of EV/PHEV! We will realise all the anti media for EV + renewables was driven by the fossil fuel industry and those heavily invested in it which in turn delayed acceptance by all...... Technology will be unlocked on energy density in fuel cells. Autonomy can't come soon enough for me on business trips........but I still want to stir the box myself at the weekend in my 4* guzzling classic......while I still can!

 

7.2kW charger should be standard now. Disappointing that it's not got that at least as an option.

Not really needed. Our Volt has 16kw battery, 10kw useable and only 16amp 3.6kw charging. 4 hours max from completely empty. This Passat will be 5 hours max assuming you can use the full 13kw but I suspect you wont actually be able to use more than 10kw with the 34 mile WLTP range.

I would guess the Volt / Ampera if put through WLTP test now might achieve 35-40 miles EV range. Is it possible to have a private car tested for it's WLTP rating? Without spending thousands!

 

Great shame it can't achieve 40+ miles on the battery. From 2020, that would drop it into the 8% BIK rate.

Seems they've stuck with the 1.4 TSI too, rather than using the newer 1.5 unit. Again, in purely numeric terms, that will mean a lower HMRC AFR reimbursement rate for business mileage. :-(

 

Seems they've stuck with the 1.4 TSI too...(

Which is a really good unit.

 

Not really needed. Our Volt has 16kw battery, 10kw useable and only 16amp 3.6kw charging. 4 hours max from completely empty. This Passat will be 5 hours max assuming you can use the full 13kw but I suspect you wont actually be able to use more than 10kw with the 34 mile WLTP range

I feel bad enough using a public charger for an hour or so to half-top up my battery. I'd feel better if it could at least use the full rating of the commonplace 32A 1ph public chargers. Perhaps a compromise around 5kW.

 

This is a long video all about the new Passat (not just the GTE) - it does cover the new GTE and I found it really informative:

Just need VW to open the order books now!!

 

Please somebody put me out of my misery and tell me when the hell we're going to be able to order this!
VW media made a press release on 6th June saying orders were open in 'selected European countries' but doesn't actually say which countries they are.
My local dealer still can't see them on 'the system' but did say that he'd read somewhere in the motor industry that the GTE won't be available to order until September, which I'm hoping isn't true!

 

I might have answered my own question - if you download the press kit then it does say:
"The countdown has begun – in September, Volkswagen is launching a major technological update for the Passat."
What're everyone's thoughts - does this mean they'll be rolling off the production line in September or available to order in Sept?

 

VW is shady that way. They could have easily said, car can be ordered by ... and delivery in previously ordered cars will start in ...

 

They had better let us order it soon .. my GTE goes back in November and i want another one!

 

Yep, Mine was due back in Feb - I extended it to Aug and now just extended again to Nov but I don't think I can extend it after that. 85k very happy miles in my Golf GTE but need something bigger for the family and there's nothing that I think would come close

 

Looks like orders are open for the Passat but not the GTE yet:

• https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new/new-passat-estate

The brochure is here with the equipment list:

• https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/brochures/new-passat-estate-brochure.pdf

Some news on the standard equipment:

• DRIVER’S ASSISTANCE: Driver profile selection – e-mode – Hybrid mode – Battery charge mode – Battery hold mode – ‘GTE’ mode
• I think it comes with Car-Net wireless for cable-free Apple Car Play / Android Auto, as this looks like it comes with the SE model

And for the GTE Advance:

• EXTERIOR: ‘IQ. Light’ LED matrix headlights
• IN-CAR ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS: Discover Navigation Pro infotainment system (in addition to Discover Navigation infotainment system) – 9.2" colour touch-screen – Voice-activated control system for telephone and navigation functions – 3D map view – 64 GB SSD hard drive
• COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE: ‘Easy open’ full electric tailgate opening and closing function, operated via foot movement under rear or from driver’s door Keyless entry, including Start/Stop button
• DRIVER'S ASSISTANCE: Active Info Display – 12.3" high resolution TFT dash display screen with customisable menus and information (in lieu of multifunction colour display) ‘e-sound’, exterior sound generator when driving in e-mode

 

A couple of nice improvements to the spec there. But I can't get over how much impact the loss of the analogue clock makes on the look of the dash!

 

OK .. so i've looked the brochure link published by @GTEd (thanks ) .. got to admit i'm disappointed by the available colours (blue isn't a option?? now what colour am i going to choose?!) and the lack of sunroof as standard in the Advanced. Anyway, still one of the best hybrids in this limited Ev market ... Hurry up VW.. get the order books open.

 

Just had a live chat with VW and they said it is available to order NOW! I called my local dealer and typically the guy who deals with leases isn't in today but is calling me tomorrow. Tempted to ring the dealer near work when I get a minute so will update later as to whether the person I was talking to was chatting rubbish

 

Just looked at leasing.com .. Personal lease ... Crazy prices :- £599.45 (3+47 10,000 miles) or £724.08 (3+35 15,000 miles) or £890.78(3+23 15000 miles) ...
You can get an Audi E-tron for £595 (9+23 10,000 miles)
Let's hope sensible prices will return.

 

Just looked at leasing.com .. Personal lease ... Crazy prices :- £599.45 (3+47 10,000 miles) or £724.08 (3+35 15,000 miles) or £890.78(3+23 15000 miles) ...
You can get an Audi E-tron for £595 (9+23 10,000 miles)
Let's hope sensible prices will return.

Has the pricing even been released officially? I am not getting worried that I've waited all this time and then I'm not going to be able to afford it!

 

So I did eventually speak to my dealer and it definitely isn't available to order yet so the agent I spoke to was talking rubbish! I had another live chat this morning:

GTEd: Do you know when the Passat GTE Estate will be available to order?
VW: We're waiting on the factory to release the technical data.
VW: As soon this information is released the Passat GTE will be open for ordering
GTEd: So do you know when the technical data will be released? VW said that the GTE would be available within the 'coming weeks' when the rest of the range was released but that was a month ago
VW: I understand the frustration. There is a slight delay at the moment, we have not had any timescales as to when this will be available.

 

I'm hoping that VWFS will start supporting this car and prices will drop... I expect to see better pricing at the end of the month.

 

A quick 'live chat' with VW today said we should be able to order the car from the end of September... hmmm .. that's a bit worrying.

 

GTE is finally on the configurator! £37k for the GTE and £40k for the advance