Volkswagen confirms it will launch a high-riding, all-wheel drive rival for the Subaru Outback at Geneva

A more rugged, off-road version of the Volkswagen Passat will appear at the Geneva motor show in March.

Called the Passat Alltrack, the new 4×4 variant of the Volkswagen wagon will be a natural rival for cars like the Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad.

Keen to prove its off-road credentials, Volkswagen engineers have worked hard to create a Passat that’s happy in the dirt.

That’s why a raised body height has increased ground clearance slightly and, to help improve its off-road capability further VW also went as far as redesigning the Passat’s front and rear bumpers to increase both approach and departure angles.

Underneath, VW claims, there’s plenty of added underbody armour as well as the predictable door sill and wheel-arch black protective plastic cladding.

All-wheel drive is standard on the Passat Alltrack with the Volkswagen wagon benefiting from the latest fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system that’s quicker to react by shuffling torque when it detects slip. In normal use the rear axle is decoupled for efficiency.

The Haldex system can also lock the four-wheel drive in 50:50 torque split front-to-rear in slippery conditions while the stability control can also split torque across axles to mimic a limited-slip differential. Volkswagen has also added its XDS+ e-diff on the most powerful models that helps the VW corner faster.

To help the Passat Alltrack avoid getting stuck off-road Volkswagen has also created an off-road mode for its stability control system. On dirt and gravel road the ABS brakes are recalibrated for shorter stopping distances. The Alltrack’s ESP also now features Trailer Assist which helps the Passat wagon safely tow trailers up to 2200kg.

In Europe two turbocharged petrol engines will be offered, a 110kW- 1.4-litre TSI and a more powerful 162kW 2.0-litre. On the diesel side there will be three diesels stretching from 140kW to 176kW. Volkswagen’s six-speed dual clutch automatic is offered on the more powerful variants while the six-speed manual is standard.

Inside, the Alltrack is little different from the rest of the Passat range with stainless steel door sills, a new half Alcantara fabric seats and a new 6.5-inch media system that now features Apple CarPlay infotainment. An 8.0-inch radio navigation will also be offered.

The new Passat will finally go on sale in Australia around October, with the Alltrack crossover version to join it here in early 2016.

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