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(Redirected from VW Passat)
The 'Volkswagen Passat' is a family car built by Volkswagen AG ("VW"), produced in various forms since 1973. It falls between the Volkswagen Golf/Jetta and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, and is currently produced in Volkswagen's plants in Emden, and Mosel/Zwickau, Germany. Although normally known as the Passat in European and North American markets, it has been badged as a variety of other names including 'Dasher', 'Santana', 'Quantum', 'Magotan', and 'Corsar' in some markets during its life. Its name is short for passatwind. While the first generation Passat was a compact car/small family car, the second generation grew in size, and later Passats are mid-size cars/large family cars.
The Passat has always been one of Volkswagen's most important models, falling in the middle of the sedan/saloon market segment. It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.
Following the Volkswagen Group's acquisition of Audi in 1964, Volkswagen was able to use newly gained engineering expertise to develop a modern front-wheel drive car with a water-cooled engine, and thus the Passat and Golf (the latter being introduced in 1974) were the first of a new generation of Volkswagens. Indeed, the first Passat was developed directly from the Audi 80/Fox and the two have had a history ever since. The new Passat allowed Volkswagen to compete more squarely with its European rivals than was possible with its product line consisting of old-fashioned rear-engined models.
The original VW Passat was launched in 1973. The body types offered originally were 2- and 4-door sedans and similar looking three- and five-door versions. Externally all four shared a modern fastback style design, styled by the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. In essence, the first Passat was a fastback version of the mechanically identical Audi 80. All the versions sharing the same external design was unusual, since two of the models were traditional sedans with a separate trunk (boot). A five-door station wagon/estate was introduced in 1974. The Passat was effectively a version of the Audi 80 (Fox) sedan which had been introduced a year earlier and which had a more conservative notchback body style, so that the Audi and Volkswagen models had distinct body styles and image. In Europe, the Passat was equipped with 2 rectangular, 2 round 7", or 4 round 5.5" headlights depending on specification.
In North America, the car was called the 'Dasher', and was only available with round DOT-spec lights. The three-door hatchback model was launched in North America for the 1974 model year.
The Passat was one of the most modern European family cars at the time, and was intended as a replacement for the aging Volkswagen Type 3 and Type 4, and as a contemporary rival for popular Ford Taunus/Cortina and Opel Ascona/Vauxhall Cavalier. The Passat was ''Wheels'' magazine's Car of the Year for 1974 and its sister model Audi 80 was nominated car of the year by the European motor press a year earlier. The platform was named B1.
The Passat used the 4 cylinder OHC 1.3 l, 1.5 l, and 1.6 l petrol engines, also used in the Audi 80—longitudinally mounted with front-wheel drive, in Audi tradition, with either a 4-speed manual transmission or 3-speed automatic. It had a MacPherson strut front suspension with a solid axle/coil spring setup at the rear.
The SOHC 1.5 produced 75 PS (55 kW) and was enlarged to 1.6 l for 1975. The larger engine included tighter emissions controls, so power output dropped to 70 PS (52 kW). Bosch fuel injection on the 1.6 was introduced in 1976 and brought power up to 78 PS (57 kW).
The whole range received a facelift in 1977 (launched 1978 outside Europe), featuring an interior upgrade and subtly revised styling including repositioned indicators and depending on model, either 4 round or 2 rectangular headlights. This generation was sold in Brazil well into the 1980s and extensively exported to Iraq, where many are still on the road. It was also assembled in Nigeria.
1979 saw the introduction of the Volkswagen Golf's 1.5 l diesel engine, which produced just 48 PS (35 kW) in the 1130 kg (2500 lb) car. 0–100 km/h time for the Diesel was 19.4 seconds, 6.2 seconds slower than the gasoline (petrol) engine. All gasoline engines were dropped for North America in 1981 in preparation for the next generation.
In Brazil, the Passat itself was produced from 1975-1988. In 1986 many improvements from the B2 platform where introduced, like its 1.6 and 1.8 engines and the 5-speed gearbox. A sports version, named Passat GTS 1.8, even on the twilight of the car, saw some popularity with its very good performance.
The second generation Volkswagen Passat was launched in 1981. The platform, named B2, was slightly longer and the car's updated styling was instantly recognisable as Passat, with the most obvious difference being the rectangular headlights. The car was known as the 'Quantum' in North America, where it was introduced in 1982, and 'Corsar' in Mexico, where it was sold between 1985 and 1988. The Passat sedan and estate were produced in South Africa for local consumption until 1987.
As well as the Passat hatchbacks and estate (wagon) there was also a conventional three-box sedan, which until the beginning of 1985 was sold as the 'Volkswagen Santana' in Europe. In North America, the Quantum was available in three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and wagon form, but the five-door hatchback was never sold there and the three-door hatchback was dropped after a year.
The range received a minor facelift in 1986, with the sedan, now known as the Passat, sharing the same front end as the hatchback and estate. The North American version gained European-style composite headlamps.
The range of engines was more extensive than that of the first generation Passat, and included a 5 cylinder Audi 2.0 L petrol, 1.9 L petrol and a 1.9 L diesel as well as all the engines previously available in the B1 model. The 2.0 GT5S version had a power output of 115 PS (85 kW) and was available with VW's 4WD system, ''syncro''. ''syncro'' was also available in the North American market, but only on the wagon, and only with the 5 cylinder engine.
In 1991, Volkswagen do Brasil was involved in its Autolatina partnership with Ford do Brasil. Rather than tool up for the third generation Passat (B3), they retained the B2 shaped sedan and wagon & made structural changes to the grill, front and rear ends (including front & rear guards). These structural changes made it look like a modern B3 Passat, which some car enthusiasts commonly mistake it for.
Under terms with Autolatina, the car was also sold as the Ford Versailles in Brazil and as the Ford Galaxy in Argentina. This range included a unique station wagon version called the Ford Royale, which unlike the Volkswagen version, had only two doors. Although such models were relatively popular in Brazil, and had been sold by Ford before, it was also alleged that Volkswagen did not want the Royale to be available as a four-door model, as this would have posed a competitive threat.
The Brazilian Santana/Quantum proved very popular in their local market, even after VW finally introduced the more modern Passat. The B2 Passat was available in the VW line-up until 2002, and the Santana was finally retired in July 2006, more out of technological considerations than a drop in popularity, as the car was not a part of Volkswagen do Brasil's current flex fuel program.
The Chinese Santana, with the European Passat B2 design, has been built by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint-venture since 1986 with very few updated features (improved back seats and a hydraulic clutch, being some) and no design difference. In fact, a new Chinese Santana is virtually identical to one from the 1980s. Since late 1990s, Shanghai-Volkswagen put a few more features (like ABS)into the car and the it continues to sell well.
In 1991, the 'Volkswagen Santana 2000' was put into development with Volkswagen do Brasil and started mass production in 1995. It has since been replaced in 2004 by the 'Volkswagen Santana 3000' which was the first VW to be designed by Shanghai-Volkswagen. Both the original Santana and the Santana 3000 are still sold in China.
The Brazilian Santana and Chinese version were co-developed between the two companies, although the Chinese versions have a longer wheelbase.
The Santana was also built in Japan under license by Nissan. Outwardly it was all VW, however there were a few minor mechanicals (i.e. window wipers) that were Nissan.
Later, in 1994, as the BX platform was falling behind the competition, the Brazilian Volkswagen brought back the hatchback B2, and applied on it a more profound facelift to become the Gol Generation 2, smoothing many of the lines and dramatically changing the truck to resemble the design of the first Gol Generation. The B2 platform heritage of the Gol G2-G4 can be easily identified by looking at the passenger doors of the 5-door version.
The third generation Passat was introduced in 1988 in Europe, 1990 in North America, and 1995 in South America. Its curvy looks were a world away from the boxy appearance of its predecessor and owed much to the "Jelly Mould" style pioneered by Ford with the Sierra. The lack of a grille made the car's front end styling reminiscent of older, rear-engined Volkswagens such as the 411, and also doubled as a modern styling trend.
At the time it was the first Passat to be built on a VW-designed platform, rather than sharing one with an Audi sedan. The car, although designated B3 in VW's platform nomenclature, was based largely on the A Platform as used for the smaller Golf model. In fact, many components are shared directly between these vehicles. Only 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon versions were available, without the fastback option of previous models (though it was considered). It was marketed under the Passat name in all markets; in North America, this was a first.
The fuel injected gasoline engines gave better performance and refinement than the carburettor units previously used. They were mounted transversely, and the floorpan was engineered to accept VW's syncro four-wheel drive system. Engine options were the 2.0 l 16 valve engine in the GL model, Volkswagen's new 2.8 VR6 engine (also used in the Golf and Corrado) in the GLX model (introduced in 1991 in Europe and 1992 in North America), and the G60 engine (only available on the syncro model in Canada for the North American market). The VR6 engine gave the top-of-the-range Passat a top speed of 224 km/h (139 mph). The 1.9 l diesel was also available as an option.
In Russia (where this generation of Passat was extremely popular at second-hand market from early 1990s) it had been affectionately known as "ski", because grille-less front looked like an upside-down cross-country ski or toboggan.
Though the car was mechanically nearly identical to the original Mark 3, except for the carried-over windows, every external body panel was new. The most obvious exterior change was the re-introduction of a grille to match the style of the other same-generation Volkswagen models, such as the Mark 3 Golf, whose styling theme didn't follow on from the original Mark 3 Passat. The interior design was also updated and improved safety equipment including dual front airbags were added.
The car was available with a TDI diesel engine, an inline 4 cylinder 1.9 L turbo diesel, generating 210 N·m (155 ft·lbf) of torque at 1900 rpm, 90 PS (66 kW) at 3750 rpm. It carried a U.S. EPA fuel efficiency rating for the sedan of 45 mpg highway (5.2 L/100 km). Combined with a 70 L (18.5 U.S. gallon) fuel tank, it had a 1300+ km (800+ mi) range on a single tank of fuel, nearly unheard of in the North American market. The TDI version is in high demand today and commands a high resale price in the U.S. due to its fuel economy and ability to operate on locally produced biofuels. The B4 TDI wagon is even rarer, fewer than 1000 having been imported to the U.S. during its 1996 to 1997 lifespan.
In Europe, L, CL, GL, GT and VR6 versions were available. Only three trim levels were available in the United States: GLS, GLX and TDI. The GLX version carried VW's 2.8 VR6 engine. The GLS had a 2 liter 8 valve motor, while the TDI had the 1.9 Turbo-Diesel.
Canadian versions of the Passat were similar to their European counterparts, unlike models sold in the U.S., due to a trade agreement that Canada had with Europe at the time, which allowed any car federalized in one participating country to legally be sold in any of the others. However, Canada did not get the 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol version, nor the 1.6-litre turbodiesel, both of which were on sale in Europe at the time.
Versions sold in Mexico had a choice of 2.0-litre 4-cylinder or a 2.8-litre VR6 petrol. Trim levels were GL or GLX. These versions were more expensive than the Volkswagen cars built in Mexico, due to the import tariffs and the fact the Passat was built in Germany.
The all-new fifth-generation Passat (B5 platform) was launched in 1996 in Europe and 1998 in North America. It was significant in that it shared a platform with the Audi A4 (1995 onwards), using the classic "overhung" longitudinally mounted engine with front-wheel drive. This harked back to the first and second generation Passats, which were based on the Audi 80 (the A4 is an extension of the 80 line).
The Mark 5 Passat was a very significant car for Volkswagen. It was the first step for VW moving its products upmarket, with SEAT and Škoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands. In fact, the quality of the Passat was on a par with its sister Audi A4. Volkswagen was about to play the same game in the class below with the Mark IV Volkswagen Golf in 1998 (1999 in North America).
Styling-wise, the Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens and this was evident with the Mark IV Golf, Bora and Mark IV Polo. The curvy lines, heavily raked windscreens, and smooth underpinnings helped give the B5 Passat an incredibly low coefficient of drag, rated at 0.27 (sedan model). The drag coefficient is lower than many sports cars, and even bests the latest design of the C6 Chevrolet Corvette, rated at 0.29.
The car featured four-link front suspension, designed to eliminate torque steering. Four-wheel drive was later introduced as an option, using a Torsen center differential, which helps avoid loss of traction by using a 50:50 power distribution under normal conditions, and gave excellent handling on slick surfaces. This was the same as Audi's quattro system in the A4. Power came from a 1.8 L turbocharged 4-cylinder (borrowed from Audi, this engine made 150 hp), or 2.8 L V6 (not to be confused with the earlier VR6, this engine had 30 valves and 190 hp). The 1.8 L engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine, and may suffer from oil sludge problems as a result, if not changed at regular intervals with full synthetic oils. Two transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic.
★ 1999 Used Car Buyer Greatest Used Buy Awards - Most Sensible Car Award Overall & Best Family Car
★ 1999 Auto Express New Car Honours - Best Family Car
★ 1998 What Car? Car of the Year Awards - Best Family Car
★ 1998 Top Gear Magazine Top Cars - Best Medium Car
★ 1998 Which? Magazine Best Buy - Large family car market winner
In mid-2001, the Passat received a facelift, involving a minor tweaking of the styling and some mechanical alteration, commonly known as the B5.5. Although some of the body panels remained unchanged, new projector-optic headlights, bumpers, tail lights, and chrome trim gave the car a fresher look.
A 4.0 L W8 engine producing 275 PS (202 kW) was introduced in 2001 in an upmarket version of the car that included standard all-wheel drive. This engine was intended to be a test bed for VW's new W engine technology, which would later make an appearance on the W12 in the Phaeton and A8, and the W16 in the Bugatti Veyron. The engine was dropped in 2004.
In 2004, a powerful 2.0 L turbocharged diesel TDI engine producing 136 PS (100 kW) was added (making the Passat the only mid-sized diesel powered car sold in the U.S.). This variant, sold from 2004-2005, is relatively rare on the used market and examples in good condition command high resale prices for their fuel economy and ability to operate on increasingly inexpensive biofuels.
A long-wheelbase version was introduced in China in late 1999 by Shanghai-Volkswagen, this lengthened platform went on to underpin the Škoda Superb. Both have a 100 mm longer wheelbase and length than the standard B5 Passat. An updated version called the Passat Lingyu was released in 2005, which has the 2.0 L, 1.8 L Turbo and 2.8 L V6 gasoline engines.
★ 2001 Auto Express Used Car Honours 2001 - Best Family Used Car
★ 2001 Diesel Car 2001 Awards - Overall Diesel Car of the Year & Best Family Car
★ 2000 Used Car Buyer: Used Car of the Year Award - Best Overall Used Car & Best Family Car
★ 2000 What Car? Used Car of the Year - Overall winner & Best Family Car
★ 2000 Auto Express Used Car Honours - Best Family Car
★ 2000 Auto Express New Car Honours - Best Family Car
★ 2000 Fleet World Honours - Best Fleet Car
In the United Kingdom, trim levels were E, S, Sport, SE, V5 and V6. The E trim level had a 1.6-litre/105 bhp engine only, while S and Sport models had a choice of 1.6, 1.8, 1.8 turbo and 2.0 petrol or 1.9 TDi in 90, 100, 110, 115 and 130 bhp versions. The S trim level was considered well-equipped by the motoring press at the time, and What Car? magazine recommended the 1.8 S as the best version in 1999.
SE models had the same engines as the S version, but were better equipped. The V5 models had a 2.3 V5 engine, the V6 was available with a 2.8 V6, and were also well-equipped.
Models sold in Europe and the Republic of Ireland were similar apart from the trim level naming schemes; the trim levels were VW's "lifestyle" naming scheme, which were Comfortline, Trendline, and Highline. A base model was available too, this was spartan equipped and sold to the fleet market as well as private buyers.
Models sold in the U.S. had the 1.8-litre 20-valve turbocharged engine, 2.0 TDI, the 2.8 V6, or 4.0 W8; trim levels were GL (2003 onward), GLS, GLX, and W8 (2002 to 2004). The W8 was only available with the 4motion all-wheel-drive system and a slightly higher trim than the GLX models. The V6 had 4motion as an option as did the 1.8T starting in the 2004 model year. The GLX trim was only sold with the V6.
Versions sold in Mexico were slightly similar to their European equivalents; although some of these versions were slightly more expensive than their European counterparts, due to the import tariffs.
The latest Passat was first displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005 and launched in Europe in the summer of 2005. The new PQ46 Passat features a return to the transversely mounted engine and, unlike its predecessor, no longer shares its platform with the Audi A4. Instead, much of its platform (the PQ46 platform) is now based upon the Golf Mark V. Confusingly, this model is sometimes referred to as the "B6" Passat, despite its lack of commonality with the "B6" (''Typ 8E'') Audi A4. This has happened previously in the Passat's history, with the B3 and B4, which bore no relation to the same-named platforms from Audi.
Styling-wise, the car follows the latest design language first introduced on the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury car, and is a dramatic departure from the styling of the B5.5 Passat. Although the new design is somewhat controversial, sales have improved over the old model.
On the four-wheel drive version, the transverse-engine platform dictated a switch from the Torsen center differential of the B5 to the Haldex multi-plate clutch. This change also changes the handling closer to a front-wheel drive car, with better fuel economy and a more spacious interior. The Haldex can direct power more unequally than the Torsen, which was limited to 66:34 or 34:66 in the B5 Passat. Haldex is a reactive type system, behaving as a front-wheel-drove vehicle until slippage is detected, at which point 100% of the power can be diverted to either axle. See quattro for more information.
Fuel Stratified Injection is used in nearly every petrol version of the Passat, ranging from 1.6 to 3.2 L,(the 1.6L DOHC can reach 100 km/h in 11.5sec., and 193 km/h for MT) but the multivalve 2.0 L TDI is the most sought out version in Europe (available in both 140 PS and 170 PS variants). In the US market, it features a 200 hp (147 kW) 2.0 L turbocharged I4 as the base engine, or a 280 hp (206 kW) 3.6 L VR6 engine as the upgrade and six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0T model) and automatic transmissions.
At the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition FAW-VW released the PQ46 Passat as the 'Magotan', due to Shanghai-Volkswagen using the Passat name for its Passat Lingyu (LWB Mark 5 Passat).
A 4 door coupé version of the Passat has been seen undergoing testing in Death Valley, USA. This model will likely be revealed in 2008 during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Sales will be targeted at family car buyers looking for affordable styling. It is reported that the design will be similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.[1]
1. VW’s Passat coupé hits road
★ VW of America: Passat
★ VW UK: Passat
★ VW Australia: Passat
★ Passat World: Passat Enthusiast Website
The 'Volkswagen Passat' is a family car built by Volkswagen AG ("VW"), produced in various forms since 1973. It falls between the Volkswagen Golf/Jetta and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, and is currently produced in Volkswagen's plants in Emden, and Mosel/Zwickau, Germany. Although normally known as the Passat in European and North American markets, it has been badged as a variety of other names including 'Dasher', 'Santana', 'Quantum', 'Magotan', and 'Corsar' in some markets during its life. Its name is short for passatwind. While the first generation Passat was a compact car/small family car, the second generation grew in size, and later Passats are mid-size cars/large family cars.
The Passat has always been one of Volkswagen's most important models, falling in the middle of the sedan/saloon market segment. It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.
Following the Volkswagen Group's acquisition of Audi in 1964, Volkswagen was able to use newly gained engineering expertise to develop a modern front-wheel drive car with a water-cooled engine, and thus the Passat and Golf (the latter being introduced in 1974) were the first of a new generation of Volkswagens. Indeed, the first Passat was developed directly from the Audi 80/Fox and the two have had a history ever since. The new Passat allowed Volkswagen to compete more squarely with its European rivals than was possible with its product line consisting of old-fashioned rear-engined models.
Mark 1 (B1 platform)
The original VW Passat was launched in 1973. The body types offered originally were 2- and 4-door sedans and similar looking three- and five-door versions. Externally all four shared a modern fastback style design, styled by the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. In essence, the first Passat was a fastback version of the mechanically identical Audi 80. All the versions sharing the same external design was unusual, since two of the models were traditional sedans with a separate trunk (boot). A five-door station wagon/estate was introduced in 1974. The Passat was effectively a version of the Audi 80 (Fox) sedan which had been introduced a year earlier and which had a more conservative notchback body style, so that the Audi and Volkswagen models had distinct body styles and image. In Europe, the Passat was equipped with 2 rectangular, 2 round 7", or 4 round 5.5" headlights depending on specification.
In North America, the car was called the 'Dasher', and was only available with round DOT-spec lights. The three-door hatchback model was launched in North America for the 1974 model year.
The Passat was one of the most modern European family cars at the time, and was intended as a replacement for the aging Volkswagen Type 3 and Type 4, and as a contemporary rival for popular Ford Taunus/Cortina and Opel Ascona/Vauxhall Cavalier. The Passat was ''Wheels'' magazine's Car of the Year for 1974 and its sister model Audi 80 was nominated car of the year by the European motor press a year earlier. The platform was named B1.
The Passat used the 4 cylinder OHC 1.3 l, 1.5 l, and 1.6 l petrol engines, also used in the Audi 80—longitudinally mounted with front-wheel drive, in Audi tradition, with either a 4-speed manual transmission or 3-speed automatic. It had a MacPherson strut front suspension with a solid axle/coil spring setup at the rear.
The SOHC 1.5 produced 75 PS (55 kW) and was enlarged to 1.6 l for 1975. The larger engine included tighter emissions controls, so power output dropped to 70 PS (52 kW). Bosch fuel injection on the 1.6 was introduced in 1976 and brought power up to 78 PS (57 kW).
The whole range received a facelift in 1977 (launched 1978 outside Europe), featuring an interior upgrade and subtly revised styling including repositioned indicators and depending on model, either 4 round or 2 rectangular headlights. This generation was sold in Brazil well into the 1980s and extensively exported to Iraq, where many are still on the road. It was also assembled in Nigeria.
1979 saw the introduction of the Volkswagen Golf's 1.5 l diesel engine, which produced just 48 PS (35 kW) in the 1130 kg (2500 lb) car. 0–100 km/h time for the Diesel was 19.4 seconds, 6.2 seconds slower than the gasoline (petrol) engine. All gasoline engines were dropped for North America in 1981 in preparation for the next generation.
In Brazil, the Passat itself was produced from 1975-1988. In 1986 many improvements from the B2 platform where introduced, like its 1.6 and 1.8 engines and the 5-speed gearbox. A sports version, named Passat GTS 1.8, even on the twilight of the car, saw some popularity with its very good performance.
Mark 2 (B2 platform)
The second generation Volkswagen Passat was launched in 1981. The platform, named B2, was slightly longer and the car's updated styling was instantly recognisable as Passat, with the most obvious difference being the rectangular headlights. The car was known as the 'Quantum' in North America, where it was introduced in 1982, and 'Corsar' in Mexico, where it was sold between 1985 and 1988. The Passat sedan and estate were produced in South Africa for local consumption until 1987.
Mark 2 (Facelift) Passat 5-door hatchback
As well as the Passat hatchbacks and estate (wagon) there was also a conventional three-box sedan, which until the beginning of 1985 was sold as the 'Volkswagen Santana' in Europe. In North America, the Quantum was available in three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and wagon form, but the five-door hatchback was never sold there and the three-door hatchback was dropped after a year.
The range received a minor facelift in 1986, with the sedan, now known as the Passat, sharing the same front end as the hatchback and estate. The North American version gained European-style composite headlamps.
The range of engines was more extensive than that of the first generation Passat, and included a 5 cylinder Audi 2.0 L petrol, 1.9 L petrol and a 1.9 L diesel as well as all the engines previously available in the B1 model. The 2.0 GT5S version had a power output of 115 PS (85 kW) and was available with VW's 4WD system, ''syncro''. ''syncro'' was also available in the North American market, but only on the wagon, and only with the 5 cylinder engine.
Other Local Market Versions
In 1991, Volkswagen do Brasil was involved in its Autolatina partnership with Ford do Brasil. Rather than tool up for the third generation Passat (B3), they retained the B2 shaped sedan and wagon & made structural changes to the grill, front and rear ends (including front & rear guards). These structural changes made it look like a modern B3 Passat, which some car enthusiasts commonly mistake it for.
Under terms with Autolatina, the car was also sold as the Ford Versailles in Brazil and as the Ford Galaxy in Argentina. This range included a unique station wagon version called the Ford Royale, which unlike the Volkswagen version, had only two doors. Although such models were relatively popular in Brazil, and had been sold by Ford before, it was also alleged that Volkswagen did not want the Royale to be available as a four-door model, as this would have posed a competitive threat.
The Brazilian Santana/Quantum proved very popular in their local market, even after VW finally introduced the more modern Passat. The B2 Passat was available in the VW line-up until 2002, and the Santana was finally retired in July 2006, more out of technological considerations than a drop in popularity, as the car was not a part of Volkswagen do Brasil's current flex fuel program.
The Chinese Santana, with the European Passat B2 design, has been built by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint-venture since 1986 with very few updated features (improved back seats and a hydraulic clutch, being some) and no design difference. In fact, a new Chinese Santana is virtually identical to one from the 1980s. Since late 1990s, Shanghai-Volkswagen put a few more features (like ABS)into the car and the it continues to sell well.
In 1991, the 'Volkswagen Santana 2000' was put into development with Volkswagen do Brasil and started mass production in 1995. It has since been replaced in 2004 by the 'Volkswagen Santana 3000' which was the first VW to be designed by Shanghai-Volkswagen. Both the original Santana and the Santana 3000 are still sold in China.
The Brazilian Santana and Chinese version were co-developed between the two companies, although the Chinese versions have a longer wheelbase.
The Santana was also built in Japan under license by Nissan. Outwardly it was all VW, however there were a few minor mechanicals (i.e. window wipers) that were Nissan.
Later, in 1994, as the BX platform was falling behind the competition, the Brazilian Volkswagen brought back the hatchback B2, and applied on it a more profound facelift to become the Gol Generation 2, smoothing many of the lines and dramatically changing the truck to resemble the design of the first Gol Generation. The B2 platform heritage of the Gol G2-G4 can be easily identified by looking at the passenger doors of the 5-door version.
Mark 3 (B3 platform) (1988-1994)
The third generation Passat was introduced in 1988 in Europe, 1990 in North America, and 1995 in South America. Its curvy looks were a world away from the boxy appearance of its predecessor and owed much to the "Jelly Mould" style pioneered by Ford with the Sierra. The lack of a grille made the car's front end styling reminiscent of older, rear-engined Volkswagens such as the 411, and also doubled as a modern styling trend.
At the time it was the first Passat to be built on a VW-designed platform, rather than sharing one with an Audi sedan. The car, although designated B3 in VW's platform nomenclature, was based largely on the A Platform as used for the smaller Golf model. In fact, many components are shared directly between these vehicles. Only 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon versions were available, without the fastback option of previous models (though it was considered). It was marketed under the Passat name in all markets; in North America, this was a first.
The fuel injected gasoline engines gave better performance and refinement than the carburettor units previously used. They were mounted transversely, and the floorpan was engineered to accept VW's syncro four-wheel drive system. Engine options were the 2.0 l 16 valve engine in the GL model, Volkswagen's new 2.8 VR6 engine (also used in the Golf and Corrado) in the GLX model (introduced in 1991 in Europe and 1992 in North America), and the G60 engine (only available on the syncro model in Canada for the North American market). The VR6 engine gave the top-of-the-range Passat a top speed of 224 km/h (139 mph). The 1.9 l diesel was also available as an option.
In Russia (where this generation of Passat was extremely popular at second-hand market from early 1990s) it had been affectionately known as "ski", because grille-less front looked like an upside-down cross-country ski or toboggan.
Mark 4 (B4 platform) (1994-1997)
B4 Passat TDI wagon (US)
Though the car was mechanically nearly identical to the original Mark 3, except for the carried-over windows, every external body panel was new. The most obvious exterior change was the re-introduction of a grille to match the style of the other same-generation Volkswagen models, such as the Mark 3 Golf, whose styling theme didn't follow on from the original Mark 3 Passat. The interior design was also updated and improved safety equipment including dual front airbags were added.
The car was available with a TDI diesel engine, an inline 4 cylinder 1.9 L turbo diesel, generating 210 N·m (155 ft·lbf) of torque at 1900 rpm, 90 PS (66 kW) at 3750 rpm. It carried a U.S. EPA fuel efficiency rating for the sedan of 45 mpg highway (5.2 L/100 km). Combined with a 70 L (18.5 U.S. gallon) fuel tank, it had a 1300+ km (800+ mi) range on a single tank of fuel, nearly unheard of in the North American market. The TDI version is in high demand today and commands a high resale price in the U.S. due to its fuel economy and ability to operate on locally produced biofuels. The B4 TDI wagon is even rarer, fewer than 1000 having been imported to the U.S. during its 1996 to 1997 lifespan.
Trim Levels
In Europe, L, CL, GL, GT and VR6 versions were available. Only three trim levels were available in the United States: GLS, GLX and TDI. The GLX version carried VW's 2.8 VR6 engine. The GLS had a 2 liter 8 valve motor, while the TDI had the 1.9 Turbo-Diesel.
Canadian versions of the Passat were similar to their European counterparts, unlike models sold in the U.S., due to a trade agreement that Canada had with Europe at the time, which allowed any car federalized in one participating country to legally be sold in any of the others. However, Canada did not get the 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol version, nor the 1.6-litre turbodiesel, both of which were on sale in Europe at the time.
Versions sold in Mexico had a choice of 2.0-litre 4-cylinder or a 2.8-litre VR6 petrol. Trim levels were GL or GLX. These versions were more expensive than the Volkswagen cars built in Mexico, due to the import tariffs and the fact the Passat was built in Germany.
Mark 5 (B5 platform) (1996-2005)
Pre-update B5 Volkswagen Passat sedan (USDM)
Pre-update B5 Volkswagen Passat wagon (USDM)
The all-new fifth-generation Passat (B5 platform) was launched in 1996 in Europe and 1998 in North America. It was significant in that it shared a platform with the Audi A4 (1995 onwards), using the classic "overhung" longitudinally mounted engine with front-wheel drive. This harked back to the first and second generation Passats, which were based on the Audi 80 (the A4 is an extension of the 80 line).
The Mark 5 Passat was a very significant car for Volkswagen. It was the first step for VW moving its products upmarket, with SEAT and Škoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands. In fact, the quality of the Passat was on a par with its sister Audi A4. Volkswagen was about to play the same game in the class below with the Mark IV Volkswagen Golf in 1998 (1999 in North America).
Styling-wise, the Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens and this was evident with the Mark IV Golf, Bora and Mark IV Polo. The curvy lines, heavily raked windscreens, and smooth underpinnings helped give the B5 Passat an incredibly low coefficient of drag, rated at 0.27 (sedan model). The drag coefficient is lower than many sports cars, and even bests the latest design of the C6 Chevrolet Corvette, rated at 0.29.
The car featured four-link front suspension, designed to eliminate torque steering. Four-wheel drive was later introduced as an option, using a Torsen center differential, which helps avoid loss of traction by using a 50:50 power distribution under normal conditions, and gave excellent handling on slick surfaces. This was the same as Audi's quattro system in the A4. Power came from a 1.8 L turbocharged 4-cylinder (borrowed from Audi, this engine made 150 hp), or 2.8 L V6 (not to be confused with the earlier VR6, this engine had 30 valves and 190 hp). The 1.8 L engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine, and may suffer from oil sludge problems as a result, if not changed at regular intervals with full synthetic oils. Two transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic.
Awards
★ 1999 Used Car Buyer Greatest Used Buy Awards - Most Sensible Car Award Overall & Best Family Car
★ 1999 Auto Express New Car Honours - Best Family Car
★ 1998 What Car? Car of the Year Awards - Best Family Car
★ 1998 Top Gear Magazine Top Cars - Best Medium Car
★ 1998 Which? Magazine Best Buy - Large family car market winner
2001 Facelift (B5.5 Platform)
In mid-2001, the Passat received a facelift, involving a minor tweaking of the styling and some mechanical alteration, commonly known as the B5.5. Although some of the body panels remained unchanged, new projector-optic headlights, bumpers, tail lights, and chrome trim gave the car a fresher look.
A 4.0 L W8 engine producing 275 PS (202 kW) was introduced in 2001 in an upmarket version of the car that included standard all-wheel drive. This engine was intended to be a test bed for VW's new W engine technology, which would later make an appearance on the W12 in the Phaeton and A8, and the W16 in the Bugatti Veyron. The engine was dropped in 2004.
In 2004, a powerful 2.0 L turbocharged diesel TDI engine producing 136 PS (100 kW) was added (making the Passat the only mid-sized diesel powered car sold in the U.S.). This variant, sold from 2004-2005, is relatively rare on the used market and examples in good condition command high resale prices for their fuel economy and ability to operate on increasingly inexpensive biofuels.
A long-wheelbase version was introduced in China in late 1999 by Shanghai-Volkswagen, this lengthened platform went on to underpin the Škoda Superb. Both have a 100 mm longer wheelbase and length than the standard B5 Passat. An updated version called the Passat Lingyu was released in 2005, which has the 2.0 L, 1.8 L Turbo and 2.8 L V6 gasoline engines.
Awards
★ 2001 Auto Express Used Car Honours 2001 - Best Family Used Car
★ 2001 Diesel Car 2001 Awards - Overall Diesel Car of the Year & Best Family Car
★ 2000 Used Car Buyer: Used Car of the Year Award - Best Overall Used Car & Best Family Car
★ 2000 What Car? Used Car of the Year - Overall winner & Best Family Car
★ 2000 Auto Express Used Car Honours - Best Family Car
★ 2000 Auto Express New Car Honours - Best Family Car
★ 2000 Fleet World Honours - Best Fleet Car
Trim Levels
In the United Kingdom, trim levels were E, S, Sport, SE, V5 and V6. The E trim level had a 1.6-litre/105 bhp engine only, while S and Sport models had a choice of 1.6, 1.8, 1.8 turbo and 2.0 petrol or 1.9 TDi in 90, 100, 110, 115 and 130 bhp versions. The S trim level was considered well-equipped by the motoring press at the time, and What Car? magazine recommended the 1.8 S as the best version in 1999.
SE models had the same engines as the S version, but were better equipped. The V5 models had a 2.3 V5 engine, the V6 was available with a 2.8 V6, and were also well-equipped.
Models sold in Europe and the Republic of Ireland were similar apart from the trim level naming schemes; the trim levels were VW's "lifestyle" naming scheme, which were Comfortline, Trendline, and Highline. A base model was available too, this was spartan equipped and sold to the fleet market as well as private buyers.
Models sold in the U.S. had the 1.8-litre 20-valve turbocharged engine, 2.0 TDI, the 2.8 V6, or 4.0 W8; trim levels were GL (2003 onward), GLS, GLX, and W8 (2002 to 2004). The W8 was only available with the 4motion all-wheel-drive system and a slightly higher trim than the GLX models. The V6 had 4motion as an option as did the 1.8T starting in the 2004 model year. The GLX trim was only sold with the V6.
Versions sold in Mexico were slightly similar to their European equivalents; although some of these versions were slightly more expensive than their European counterparts, due to the import tariffs.
Mark 6 (PQ46 platform) (2005-present)
B6 Passat wagon (US)
Styling-wise, the car follows the latest design language first introduced on the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury car, and is a dramatic departure from the styling of the B5.5 Passat. Although the new design is somewhat controversial, sales have improved over the old model.
On the four-wheel drive version, the transverse-engine platform dictated a switch from the Torsen center differential of the B5 to the Haldex multi-plate clutch. This change also changes the handling closer to a front-wheel drive car, with better fuel economy and a more spacious interior. The Haldex can direct power more unequally than the Torsen, which was limited to 66:34 or 34:66 in the B5 Passat. Haldex is a reactive type system, behaving as a front-wheel-drove vehicle until slippage is detected, at which point 100% of the power can be diverted to either axle. See quattro for more information.
Fuel Stratified Injection is used in nearly every petrol version of the Passat, ranging from 1.6 to 3.2 L,(the 1.6L DOHC can reach 100 km/h in 11.5sec., and 193 km/h for MT) but the multivalve 2.0 L TDI is the most sought out version in Europe (available in both 140 PS and 170 PS variants). In the US market, it features a 200 hp (147 kW) 2.0 L turbocharged I4 as the base engine, or a 280 hp (206 kW) 3.6 L VR6 engine as the upgrade and six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0T model) and automatic transmissions.
At the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition FAW-VW released the PQ46 Passat as the 'Magotan', due to Shanghai-Volkswagen using the Passat name for its Passat Lingyu (LWB Mark 5 Passat).
2008 Coupe
A 4 door coupé version of the Passat has been seen undergoing testing in Death Valley, USA. This model will likely be revealed in 2008 during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Sales will be targeted at family car buyers looking for affordable styling. It is reported that the design will be similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.[1]
Footnotes
1. VW’s Passat coupé hits road
External links
★ VW of America: Passat
★ VW UK: Passat
★ VW Australia: Passat
★ Passat World: Passat Enthusiast Website
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