2015 Volkswagen Passat Reimagined as Shooting Brake in New Rendering
A digital rendering by X-Tomi Design gives the 2015 Volkswagen Passat a shooting brake body style, offering a fresh take on the recently unveiled saloon and estate.
A new rendering from X-Tomi Design imagines the just-revealed 2015 Volkswagen Passat in a shooting brake body style, blending the practicality of an estate with the sleeker lines of a coupe. Volkswagen has not announced any intention to put such a model into production, but the digital image offers a glimpse at what could be an eye-catching alternative to the standard saloon and wagon.
The 2015 Passat, which Volkswagen revealed only days ago, marks the eighth generation of the model and is set to arrive in dealerships later in 2014. The official line-up includes the familiar four-door saloon and five-door estate, with further variants such as the Passat Alltrack and a successor to the CC expected in due course. However, a shooting brake has not been confirmed or even hinted at by the company.
Shooting brakes, once a niche for luxury marques, have become more prominent in recent years, particularly among German manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has offered shooting brake versions of both the CLS and CLA. The format appeals to buyers seeking a blend of style and practicality, and renderings such as this Passat highlight the body style’s visual potential even in more mainstream segments.
How the shooting brake compares
The rendered Passat shooting brake adopts a lower, more swept roofline than the standard estate, with a pronounced rear haunch and coupe-inspired rear doors. The design would likely reduce cargo capacity compared to the regular Passat estate but offer a more distinctive profile. Volkswagen’s current estate, the Passat Variant, prioritises load volume and practicality, while a shooting brake would target a different buyer, one prioritising style over outright space.
For now, the Passat range will stick to established body styles. Buyers wanting a more rugged estate can look to the Passat Alltrack, which brings increased ride height and all-wheel drive, as detailed in the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack arrives in UK with diesel-only line-up. Those seeking a shooting brake from a German manufacturer will need to look elsewhere, at least until Volkswagen signals a change in direction.
Digital renderings and market interest
Renderings like this Passat shooting brake often generate interest among enthusiasts and can influence manufacturer decisions if demand is strong enough. At present, though, the digital Passat shooting brake remains a designer’s vision rather than a future showroom model. Volkswagen’s focus remains on established variants, with the estate and saloon forming the backbone of the 2015 Passat line-up.
