Imagine a full-size family sedan capable of traveling up to 150 km on battery electric power alone being launched in Malaysia? Well, Volkswagen recently introduced its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, the Passat ePro, at the 2025 Auto Guangzhou motor show in China and confirmed that the vehicle has completed certification with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Will there be a right hand driver model produced for sale in ASEAN nations and Malaysia?
Produced by SAIC Volkswagen, this VW Passat ePro is based on the currently marketed Passat Pro and is scheduled to be launched in the Chinese market in the first half of next year.
The Passat ePro emphasises its identity as a hybrid-specific model through clear visual differentiation from internal combustion engine variants. The front fascia features exclusive LED headlights known as Tech Smart Eye, along with a horizontal LED light strip and an illuminated logo.
A closed panel replaces the traditional grille, giving the vehicle a distinctly electrified appearance. At the rear, integrated taillights are combined with a wing-spread design that emphasises horizontal lines, along with a red LED logo.
The vehicle measures 5,017 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,489 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,871 mm, making it a large family sedan with dimensions close to the VW Arteon. Alloy wheel options include 17-inch and 18-inch designs.
The interior has been newly configured around a horizontal integrated design. A two-spoke steering wheel replaces the previous three-spoke layout, while a 12.9-inch central control screen and a 10.3-inch LCD instrument cluster are fitted. A dedicated entertainment display is provided for the front passenger, and the center console adopts an open cupholder design without a cover.
Total driving range of up to 1,300 km is possible when the battery is charged up and the fuel tank is full. The most notable feature of the Passat ePro is its significantly improved driving performance.
The powertrain consists of a hybrid-specific EA211 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol fed engine with a maximum output of 95 kW (approximately 127 hp), an electric motor rated at 145 kW (approximately 194 hp), and a 22 kWh battery.
This marks a substantial improvement compared with the previous Passat PHEV which offered an electric-only range of around 50 km (never launched in right hand drive for the ASEAN market). SAIC Volkswagen has announced plans to officially launch this Passat model in 2026, with the move intended to further expand electrification across the Passat Pro lineup.
