A Norwegian website claims to have snagged the first official photo of the 2011 Volkswagen Passat from one of the automaker's European retailers, and sources suggest that we could see the restyled mid-size sedan as early as the Paris Motor Show this October.

There's still some question about what engines will be available when the new Passat arrives next year. Expect VW's ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and 1.8 TSI units to reappear in the revised model. A new 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 will be available in higher-spec trims along with the normal assortment of diesel mills. A hybrid model has also been confirmed by VW.

Soon after the sedan launches outside Europe, the wagon variant will debut along with a possible R36 model. Expect the full details to be revealed before the end of the month. One of my colleagues paid a visit to VW Singapore recently and I understand from him that VW is clearing the existing stocks of Passat.