Volkswagen’s new Passat Alltrack is due to go on sale at the end of May. It has a raised ride height and 4Motion four-wheel drive, as well as what VW calls body enhancements that provide some protection from scrapes when covering rough terrain.

One trim level is available in the UK, but there’s a choice of two drivetrains – a two-litre 140hp diesel with six-speed manual gearbox for £28,475 and a two-litre 170hp diesel with six-speed DSG transmission for £31,025. Standard equipment includes satnav, Bluetooth phone preparation, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and 18-inch Canyon alloy wheels. A Driver Alert System that monitors the driver’s responses to raise awareness of fatigue is also standard.

Options include climate seats with massage function, automatic distance control with emergency braking function; park assist, a rear-view camera and an electrically deployed towbar. Towing capacity is 2t.