Volkswagen has disclosed regulatory images and specifications for the new Passat ePro plug-in hybrid sedan in China, as the German automaker introduces a higher-positioned electrified variant under its newly created ePro series.
Photos published in December by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) show the Passat ePro with a redesigned front end, featuring a streamlined profile and a partially closed grille, setting it apart from the existing Passat PHEV already on sale in the Chinese market. The model is manufactured by SAIC-Volkswagen, the company’s long-standing joint venture with SAIC Motor.
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The Passat ePro measures 5,017 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and 1,489 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,871 mm. It is powered by a plug-in hybrid system combining a 95 kW 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a 145 kW electric motor.
The curb weight is listed at 1,825 kg, and the top speed is 180 km/h. Volkswagen identifies the combustion unit as its “EA211 1.5T EVOII high-efficiency hybrid engine,” underscoring a shift toward improved fuel efficiency. By comparison, the current Passat PHEV sold in China uses a 110 kW 1.4-liter turbocharged engine paired with a 116 kW electric motor.
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Volkswagen plans to launch the Passat ePro in China in the first quarter of 2026, as foreign automakers continue to refine their plug-in hybrid strategies to defend market share against domestic new energy vehicle brands.
The regulatory filing follows a broader strategic push unveiled last month, when Volkswagen presented two new plug-in hybrid models and outlined a sweeping five-year product roadmap for China during the opening of Auto Guangzhou 2025.
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Separately, Volkswagen Group China Technology Company last month inaugurated a new testing hall at its Hefei research and development center, completing a major expansion that positions the site as the group’s first fully integrated development hub outside Germany. The announcement was made on Nov. 25, reinforcing Volkswagen’s efforts to localize research, development and validation capabilities as competition in China intensifies.
