The next generation of VW's Passat for Europe and other select regions around the world, not including North America, will reportedly have its premiere in Berlin this Thursday on July 3.

While routing the North American Passat more down-market, Volkswagen's brass plans to push the next generation of the European Passat more upscale, purportedly to counteract poor sales in the mid-size market.

According to a Reuters report, the main reason for VW's change of attitude is that, while mainstream models saw their stake in the mid-size segment fall from 48 percent to 44 percent in an overall European market that contracted 15 percent from 2009 to 2013, premium offerings from brands like Audi and BMW rose from 13 to 17 percent.

Industry analyst told the news agency that VW's upscale move is the right way to go. "The mid-market is a fiercely fought segment and competition is anything but letting up. Stretching further into luxury territory is a sensible step," said Stefan Bratzel, head of the Center of Automotive Management.

The report said the new Passat is expected to be priced a little bit higher than its predecessor starting from around €26,000 (US$35,500), thus placing it above cars like the Peugeot 508 (€25,250), but still under the Audi A4 (€28,100) and BMW 3-Series (€29,350).

"We expect higher deliveries as the new Passat will be a cut above its predecessor but sell for about the same price," said an optimistic Ernst-Robert Nouvertne, who is in charge of two VW dealerships near Cologne in Germany. "There's a good chance to win premium buyers."

VW has said that the new Passat will ride on the brand's lighter MQB modular platform and feature several novelties like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and two new engines, a 240PS (237hp) 2.0-liter TDI diesel and a 211PS (208hp) plug-in hybrid variant combining a 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit and an electric motor.

Volkswagen has revealed the latest versions of the Passat sedan and Passat Variant wagon that the rest of the world enjoys. They represent the eighth generation of the Passat line, the B8, and make their official debut at the 2014 Paris Auto Show in October. Although the cars won’t be sold in the U.S., they do provide clues as to what we can expect when our local version of the Passat, introduced for the 2012 model year, receives its mid-cycle update for 2016.

So what does this piece of forbidden fruit contain? The new Passat debuts with new engines, less weight and the latest assistance, infotainment and convenience systems. And for the first time, an electrified version is available, in this case a plug-in hybrid.

Underpinning the new Passat is VW’s flexible MQB platform. Engineers have worked to make the platform even lighter by incorporating high-strength, hot-formed steel and aluminum in certain areas. The car is 187 pounds lighter than the one it replaces, helping some variants improve their fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent. The overall size of the new Passat has shrunk a little, but interior space has actually improved: the automaker promises more leg- and head-room, as well as increased luggage space.

In the powertrain department, buyers have the choice of 10 different engines spanning both gasoline and diesel units. One of these is VW’s new twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, whose output is an impressive 236 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. This engine is offered exclusively with a new seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. For other models, a six-speed manual and front-wheel drive is standard. All versions are equipped with a stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode, the latter recuperating energy to power auxiliary systems.

One additional powertrain option is a new plug-in hybrid setup. The setup combines a 154-hp gasoline engine with an 80-kilowatt (107-hp) electric motor. Total system output is 207 horsepower and the electric-only range is approximately 31 miles.

Inside, the vehicle is fitted with the VW’s new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster already offered on the Lamborghini Huracán supercar. The vehicle is also available with a head-up display, an advanced infotainment system, a 360-degree camera monitoring system, and a new generation of VW’s Park Assist system. This newly developed Park Assist includes the option for the car to park itself forwards into perpendicular spaces so that the trunk is facing outwards. It also includes a world-first Trailer Assist, which provides assistance when reversing a vehicle with a trailer attached–without the need for any modification or adaptation of the trailer.

Other safety technology includes Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert; Traffic Jam Assist which makes stop-and-go driving more comfortable; Emergency Assist, which can potentially halt a vehicle when the driver is incapacitated; and the latest Front Assist system with City Emergency Braking, which optionally combines both radar and camera sensors to add pedestrian detection.

VW's designers should have a look at these renders

The recently revealed eight generation Volkswagen Passat has been envisioned in coupe and shooting brake body styles.

Volkswagen introduced the Passat B8 several days ago and already renders of other derivatives have been envisioned by independent artists. For example, X-Tomi Design is showing us his vision of a potential Shooting Brake variation while Theophilus Chin has prepared a couple of Passat Coupe renders.

The standard model isn't available yet in dealerships so it will take a while until Volkswagen will introduce other members to the Passat family. The third model after the Passat and Passat Variant will probably be a CC (without "Passat" in its name) which could end up being a fastback. It will likely be revealed towards the end of 2015 or in 2016. Rumors of a Shooting Brake variant emerged last year but there's no confirmation about whether the model will see the light of day.