This story features renderings that are not affiliated with or approved by Volkswagen.
As many of you are aware, Volkswagen decided to discontinue the sedan body style for the ninth-generation European Passat, leaving the B9-codenamed model exclusively available as a Variant (station wagon). While we may never have the opportunity to purchase one, it’s natural to ponder what a sedan version of the 2024 Passat might have looked like.
Enter rendering artist Theottle who has digitally transposed a sedan silhouette onto the new Passat B9 Variant, taking cues from other VW products, such as the Chinese-spec Lamando L. The result is a surprisingly realistic and stylish four-door, with a sleeker tail and a more aerodynamic profile. While it’s unlikely that VW will ever build a Passat B9 sedan, Theottle’s rendering gives us a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been.
More: 2024 VW Passat Variant Debuts With Sleeker Styling, More Room, And Electrified Powertrains
Theottle / VW
Even though the full-width taillight cluster of the Lamando L would complement the Passat nicely, the artist made adjustments to align the graphics with those of the Variant. Additionally, he modified the integrated spoiler to give it a more conventional appearance, deviating from the liftback design of the Lamando L.
The imaginary Passat B9 sedan retains the same 2,841 mm (111.9 inches) wheelbase as the Variant, a common characteristic in such conversions. The trade-off for the sleeker appearance would be a slightly reduced trunk space, likely falling below the Variant’s 690-liter (24.4 cu-ft) capacity.
If such a vehicle ever existed, it would share the powertrain variants with its more practical sibling. These options include various petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid configurations. Among them, the PHEV stands out as the most technologically advanced. It combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter TSI engine with a single electric motor and a larger 19.7 kWh battery pack, delivering a maximum output of 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and an all-electric range of 100 km (62 miles).
While traditional sedan enthusiasts will probably miss the VW Passat, they will soon get access to an attractive and mechanically related alternative in the form of the Skoda Superb. The Czech automaker plans to introduce notchback and Combi versions of its new flagship that will closely mirror the specifications of the VW Passat Variant.