The Volkswagen Alltrack, an all-wheel-drive wagon aimed at Subaru's XV Crosstrek, is expected to hit showrooms in the U.S. in December 2014, Edmunds has learned.

The Alltrack would be based on the redesigned Volkswagen SportWagen.

The Alltrack essentially will be a variant of the new SportWagen.

ST. HELENA, California — The Volkswagen Alltrack, an all-wheel-drive wagon aimed at Subaru's XV Crosstrek, is expected to hit showrooms in the U.S. in December 2014, Edmunds has learned.

The Alltrack would be based on the redesigned Volkswagen SportWagen. The Volkswagen Golf wagon, which was shown at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show, previewed the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen here.

The Alltrack essentially will be a variant of the new SportWagen.

It is unclear if the Alltrack would go on sale at the same time as the new SportWagen or months later.

"There is a 99 percent likelihood the Alltrack will be offered," a Volkswagen source told Edmunds.

He asked not to be identified.

The Alltrack is expected to be 1 or 2 inches taller than the SportWagen, giving it more ground clearance. Body cladding likely would be added, a design cue to separate it from the SportWagen. Larger tires and wheels are expected. The grille and fascia might be restyled to further separate it from the SportWagen.

Volkswagen of America has been keeping an eye on Subaru's all-wheel-drive models, especially the XV Crosstrek. Sales began last year.

"You can't ignore the success Subaru is having, especially with the Crosstrek coming out, selling 4,000 to 5,000 units a month," Kevin Joostema told Edmunds.

Joostema is general manager of product strategy and marketing, Volkswagen of America. The Crosstrek is based on the Subaru Impreza, a compact model.

Additionally, "the profile for our core SportWagen customers is very similar to some of those Subaru customers," he said during an interview in California at a Volkswagen press event. However, Joostema would not confirm the vehicle.

The 2014 XV Crosstrek carries a base price of $22,820. The 2014 SportWagen stickers for $21,615.

Although it is too early to talk pricing, the Alltrack's sticker price would be higher than the SportWagen.

Despite media reports, the new VW model would not look like or be based on the Alltrack concept that was unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

"That's not the vehicle we would do," the Volkswagen source said. "The concept was quickly thrown together to see if there was any interest in that type of model. The response was very, very positive."

Edmunds says: The Subaru XV Crosstrek has been keeping VW executives up at night. But that's about to change with the new Alltrack.