Bojan Vrbnjak
Everyone who liked the VW Passat sedan has been staring blankly since 2019, when the production of this version was discontinued. The new Passat is now only available as a Variant, while the technically closely related Škoda Superb is now available as a hatchback sedan.
The new Passat Pro carries the torch abroad. In China, Volkswagen and its local partner SAIC are launching the good old hatchback model. And it really does look like 'our' Passat B9 Estate as a sedan. So the question arises: would you rather have a Passat Pro than a Škoda Superb sedan?
Passat Pro - China
Let's face the facts: The Passat Pro is based on the same MQB platform as the Passat Estate sold in Europe (and its cousin, the Škoda Superb), but is slightly larger. It measures 5,00 meters in length, 1,85 meters in width and 1,49 meters in height, and its wheelbase is 2,87 meters. Unfortunately, there is no information about the luggage space.
For comparison: the Škoda Superb sedan is 4.912 mm long, 1.849 mm wide and 1.481 mm high, with a 2.841 mm wheelbase and a 645-liter trunk. The additional ten centimeters of length in the VW Passat Pro can be explained by a more pronounced rear overhang with a slight "step".
However, a direct comparison shows that the door handles, the metal fold above them and the decoration in the lower part are the same. But not the interior, because the Passat Pro can install up to three screens in the cockpit if necessary, while the Superb is more restrained.
There are also important differences in the engines, as diesel engines do not play a significant role in the passenger car sector in China. SAIC-VW will offer the Passat Pro with a 2,0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that produces 220 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The four-cylinder engine transmits power to the front axle via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. A smaller 1,5-liter unit with 160 hp and 250 Nm is also planned.
The new entry-level engine for the Superb is a 1,5 kW (110 hp) 150 TSI petrol engine with mild hybrid technology derived from the latest EA211 evo2 engine series. For the first time, the Superb relies on a 48-volt belt-driven starter generator and a lithium-ion battery, also designed for 48 volts. In the future, the Superb will no longer need a manual transmission.
With the fourth generation Superba, you can also choose between two gasoline and diesel engines. As with the 1.5 TSI mHEV, the engine's power is transmitted by a 7-speed DSG gearbox. The 2.0 TSI petrol engines provide 150 kW (204 hp) and 195 kW (265 hp) in the highest power level.
Skoda Superb sedan
The 2.0 TDI turbo diesel engine has 110 kW (150 hp) or 142 kW (193 hp). The best gasoline and the best diesel engines are equipped with all-wheel drive as standard. All engines meet the Euro 6d emission standard. The new generation of plug-in hybrid drive is reserved exclusively for the Superb Combi model.
The price of gasoline models of the Superb sedan in Germany starts at 38.900 euros, and diesel models at 43.000 euros. If you want a big sedan from VW, you'll have to opt for the electric ID.7 in Europe (from €53.995); The Arteon is only available as a Shooting Brake.
