The next-gen Volkswagen Passat CC has been leaked online. If they are indeed genuine, the leaked pics confirm that the 2017 model will get a more striking design inspired by the Sport Coupe GTE concept.

The concept's angular headlights and abrupt nose will feature, along with a more continuous rear roofline. Recent spy photographs suggest the leaked images are real, although Volkswagen is yet to confirm their legitimacy at this stage.

The most recently spotted mule looked to be wearing wheels of about 18in in diameter, suggesting it is of a higher-spec model. An earlier mule, shown further into our gallery, appeared to be for an entry-level model as it wore wheels of about 17in in diameter.

The four-door saloon’s new appearance will help differentiate it from the standard Passat sedan, with which it shares many parts, while also giving the new model a more luxurious image. In certain markets, such as the US, the CC represents the car maker’s flagship saloon.

Sources have told our sister magazine, Autocar UK that the new saloon might even ditch the CC name of its predecessor and adopt something more striking, in order to reinvent the model and boost potential sales.

As is the case with the bulk of Volkswagen’s line-up, the next-gen CC is likely to be powered by the same range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines used by the Passat.

The Passat GTE's four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain could also be included. The Sport Coupé GTE concept featured a 3.0-litre V6 and electric motor set-up, suggesting a more potent hybrid drivetrain could also be on the cards.

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