Volkswagen Magotan: Reinventing the Passat Legacy

China’s enthusiasts for passenger cars brought to the table a new Volkswagen sedan, in the form of the upcoming Magotan. This very new Volkswagen Magotan shares a similar vision with the latest European versions, such as the VW Passat Variant and Skoda Superb - and was unveiled by the Chinese Ministry of Information.

The yet-to-come Magotan may be a bit of an oddity for Western readers. Initially, it was a Chinese version of the Passat that got a brand new name and received lightweight improvements to please the local drivers. Albeit, in 2011, VW decided to introduce the North American Passat in China, letting it keep its name. The Chinese Passat metamorphosed into a completely new vehicle, which continued to be available alongside the Magotan.

As VW offers the Europeans an exclusive Passat wagon version, it strongly resembles the new Skoda Superb, which is provided in wagon and sedan variants, albeit with a Volkswagen-specific badge, lighting units on both ends, and a grille.

Interestingly, despite the fact that it is based on the European Passat, the VW designers tried to make the Magotan exclusive. The front looks boxier, its top grille is larger, and the headlights have straighter lines than the Passat. The lower grille also diverges notably from the Passat and looks like a replica of the Superb.

In the rear, the Magotan taillights expand across the trunk, and are reminiscent of the design language employed by VW’s electric ID. line of vehicles. Despite the fact that it doesn't have visible tailpipes, the car will get an internal combustion engine.

According to the Chinese Minister discloser, the mid-sized sedan will be powered by a 2.0-liter DTJ engine manufactured by Volkswagen FAW. It will produce a maximum output of 217 HP. However, there are no specs regarding the availability of a hybrid powertrain.

More information about the model, including its interior appearance, will be available later in the year when the Magotan will catch the spotlight in 2025.