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Volkswagen Passat
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The Volkswagen Passat is a family car built by Volkswagen through six design generations since 1973. Falling between the Golf/Jetta and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, the Passat has been badged variously as Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat.
More recently, Volkswagen has extended its range with the launch of the Passat CC, a 4-door "coupé" version of the Passat.
Passat falls in the middle of the sedan/saloon market segment and 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 used new 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.
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The Volkswagen Passat is a family car built by Volkswagen through six design generations since 1973. Falling between the Golf/Jetta and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, the Passat has been badged variously as Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat.
More recently, Volkswagen has extended its range with the launch of the Passat CC, a 4-door "coupé" version of the Passat.
History
The Passat falls in the middle of the sedan/saloon market segment and 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 used new 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. The first Passat was developed directly from the Audi 80/Fox and until 2005 the two shared a history.
Passat Mk1 (B1, 1973–1988)
Europe
The original Volkswagen 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 sedan, introduced a year earlier. A five-door station wagon/estate was introduced in 1974. In Europe, the Passat was equipped with 2 rectangular, 2 round 7", or 4 round 5.5" headlights depending on specification.
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. 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 originally used the 4 cylinder OHC 1.3 l and 1.5 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 was enlarged to 1.6 l in August 1975 with unchanged power ratings and slightly higher torque ratings. In July 1978 the Passat Diesel became available, equipped with the VW Golf`s 1.5 l Diesel , followed in February 1979 by the Passat GLI with a fuel-injected version of the 1.6 l engine.
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.
North America
In North America, the car was called the Dasher, and was only available with round DOT-spec lights. The three- and four-door hatchback and a station wagon model were launched in North America for and during the 1974 model year. Sole available engine was a carburetted 1.5 l inline-four developing (or in 1975), supplanted from model year 1976 by a Bosch fuel-injected 1.6 l four (.
1979 saw the introduction of the 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.
Brazil
In Brazil, the Passat B1 was produced from 1974-1988. 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. This generation was also extensively exported to Iraq, where many are still on the road. It was also assembled in Nigeria.
Passat Mk2 (B2, 1981–1988)
The second generation Volkswagen Passat was launched in 1981. The platform, named B2, was slightly longer and the car's updated styling was instantly recognizable 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 1984 and 1988, in Brazil it was called Santana. 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, Brazil, Nicaragua and China. 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 system used in the Passat shared the mechanics of the Audi 80 quattro and not the VW Golf syncro. syncro was also available in the North American market, but only on the wagon, and only with the 5 cylinder engine.
Brazil
The Second Generation Passat had its production started in Brazil in June, 1984 and was called Santana.
The Santana was sold as a 4-door sedan and 2-door sedan, later as a station wagon, named Santana Quantum (or just Quantum) which was launched in July, 1985.
The engine range consisted in two version of 1.8L VW EA-827 engines, both in Ethanol or Petrol. In late 1987, to the 1988 model run, it gained the option of a 2.0L engine (Petrol or Ethanol). They were so called Santana 2000 and Quantum 2000. Transmissions included a 4-speed manual (for the first 2 years), 5-speed manual (first as an option, then turned standart in 1987), and to the top line CD (later called GLS) a 3-speed automatic.
In 1991, Volkswagen do Brasil by the time it had a joint-venture with Ford, called Autolatina, they've decided instead of building the newer third generation Passat (B3), to retain the Passat (B2) shaped sedan and wagon and made structural changes to the entire body. By changing the bodyshell, boot line, front and rear guards, it looked like the modern German designed Passat (B3) of the time. Under terms with Autolatina, this "new" Santana was also marketed as the Ford Versailles in Brazil and as the Ford Galaxy in Argentina.
It received a small face-lift for 1994, and another one, more extensive, in 1998. In 2002, the Quantum was out, and then, in June, 2006, after more than two decades, the Santana was retired from the range, after years of dropping sales. An not so glamourous end to the car which have inaugurated the use of Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) in Brazil, and sold 548.494 units in all those time.
2006 Santana Comfortline 2.0L Specs
- Engine: 2.0L 8v I4 (VW EA-827/ AP-2000).
- Transmission: 5-speed manual.
- Driving Layout: Front engine, Front-wheel drive.
- Power: @ 5250 rpm.
- Length: 4600 mm.
- Width: 1700 mm.
- Height: 1420 mm.
- Wheelbase: 2550 mm.
- Weight: 1160 kg.
- 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 9,9 sec.
- Top Speed: 191 km/h.
Corsar (B2, México, 1984-1988)
The Santana 4 door sedan (Quantum in the USA, and Santana in other countries) was introduced in Mexico in February 1984 as the Corsar CD. It was assembled in the Puebla plant with most German components. The only engine available for the whole Corsar lineup was the 1.8 lt with carburetor. For 1984 and 1985 the Corsar CD was only in one trim available. It had 13” allow wheels, 185/70 R 13 tires, velour upholstery (1984 was grey only, and from 1985 it was grey or blue), 4 headrests, AM/FM stereo cassette Radio with 4 speakers, tachometer, power steering. It was sold with 4 speed manual transmission or 3 speed automatic. The only option was air conditioning. Colors for 1984 were: Mars Red, Alpine White, Jade Green Metallic, Cosmos Silver Metallic and Graphite Metallic. For 1984 and 1985 the Corsar CD had the American Quantum GL looks.
In the 1986 model year, the Corsar CD receives new colors, upholsteries, and the 1985 European Passat 4 door sedan looks. A new 5 speed manual gearbox replaces the previous 4 speed one. The Corsar also has new optional equipments such like power windows, power door locks, and black leather upholstery. In March 1986 the station wagon body, known as the Corsar Variant (Quantum Wagon in the USA, Quantum in Brasil, and Passat Variant in Europe) was introduced sharing trim levels and engine/transmissions with the Corsar CD sedan. In 1987 the alloy wheels became optional, and the series wheels were steel made with full covers. The Corsar continued until 1988 mostly unchanged. By mid 1988 appeared a limited edition with double tone painting (black and silver), black leather upholstery and top equipment available in both the Corsar CD and Corsar Variant. The Corsar was discontinued from the Mexican market by the end of the 1988 model year, since production stopped in Germany (most parts came from Germany) and Volkswagen required its assembly lines to produce the A2 Golf/Jetta for USA and Canada exports. The Corsar lineup is remembered in Mexico with excellent reputation.
China
The Santana (B2) has been built by Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive joint-venture since 1985.
Initially launched with a 1.6L petrol engine it was updated with a 1.8L petrol in 1987 both these were equipped with a 4 speed manual, in 1989 the Santana wagon was launched on the market.
The Santana has had tons of updated features added since the original 1985 model.
Some updated features the Santana has been include with are BOSCH electronic fuel injection system, a 5 speed manual, a third brake light, improved back seats, hydraulic clutch, MP3 and CD compatible radios, ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution,.
2007 Santana specifications
- Engine Position - North South
In 1991 the Santana 2000 was put into development for China with the aid of Volkswagen do Brasil.
Santana 2000 started mass production in 1995 with a longer wheelbase and rear doors than its Brazilian counterpart.
1997 Santana 2000 specifications
- Engine Position - North South
In 2004 the Santana 3000 was the succeeded the Santana 2000.
Santana 3000 was the first design that the Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive joint venture designers had undertaken by themselves.
Santana 3000 was also the first in the Chinese developed Santana series to be optioned with ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution, electronic differential system, a multi function display system, a sunroof designed by the German Webasto company.
The 2.0L engine was added to the range in June 2006.
2007 Santana 3000 1.8L specifications
- Engine position - North South
In 2008 Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive released the Santana Vista (Zhijun) & Santana Vista (Changda) (Taxi model) in January with front and rear visual updates and minor chassis updates.
2008 Santana Vista 2.0L Specifications
- Engine position - North South
Both the original German designed Santana and the Santana Vista are still sold in China and they are still the most popular vehicles in China with taxi & police fleets and private buyers.
But the Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive has decided not to make them anymore in next few years.
Japan
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.
Passat Mk3 (B3, 1988–94)
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, 1.8 l engine in the CL 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.
Passat Mk4 (B4, 1995–97)
The same as the original Mk3, every external body panel was new, except for the carried-over windows. 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 Mk3 Golf, whose styling theme didn't follow on from the original Mk3 Passat. The interior design was also updated and improved safety equipment including dual front airbags and pyrotechnic pretensioner were added.
The car was available with a TDI diesel engine, an inline 4-cylinder 1.9 L turbo diesel, generating 210 N·m (149 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 highway. Combined with a 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, although this could be combined, for instance it was possible to purchase a GL VR6. 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.
Engine choices
The following petrol and diesel engines are available:
| name | engine code(s) | engine type | displacement | max. power | max. torque | years | Petrol engines | | 1.6 | AEK | I4 SOHC 8V | 1595 cc | | | 1994–1995 | | 1.6 | AFT / AKS | I4 SOHC 8V | 1595 cc | | | 1995–1997 | | 1.8 | AAM / ANN | I4 SOHC 8V | 1781 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 1.8 | ABS / ACC / ADZ / ANP | I4 SOHC 8V | 1781 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 2.0 | 2E / ADY / AGG / ABA | I4 SOHC 8V | 1984 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 2.0 | ABF | I4 DOHC 16V | 1984 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 2.8 VR6 | AAA | VR6 DOHC 12V | 2792 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 2.9 VR6 | ABV | VR6 DOHC 12V | 2861 cc | | | 1994–1997 |
| name | engine code(s) | engine type | displacement | max. power | max. torque | years | Diesel engines | | 1.9 TD | AAZ | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 1.9 TDI | 1Z / AHU | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | | | 1993–1997 | | 1.9 TDI | AFN | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | | | 1996–1997 |
Passat Mk5 (B5/B5.5/Lingyu, 1996–2005)
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 "nose-heavy" design 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).
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 Mk4 Golf, Bora and Mk4 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 beats the latest design of the C6 Chevrolet Corvette, rated at 0.29.
The car featured four-link front suspension (designed to eliminate torque steering), and either a solid or independent rear suspensions varying on trim levels. Four-wheel drive was introduced in 1997 as an option for the 1.8, 2.8 V6, 1.9TDI and 2.5 V6 TDI engines, using a second generation T-2 Torsen 4WD system, which helps avoid loss of traction. The 1.8 L engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine (4.6 quarts in transverse, 4.3 quarts longitudinal), and may suffer from oil sludge problems as a result, if not changed at regular intervals with fully 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 Cars - Best Medium Car
- 1998 Which? Magazine Best Buy - Large family car market winner
Engines
The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group.
| Name | Engine | Volume | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0-100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
|---|
| 1.6 8v | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | ADP/AHL/ARM/ANA | 12.5 s | | 1996–2000 | | 1.8 20v | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | ADR/APT/AVV/ARG | 11.1 s | | 1996–2000 | | 1.8 20vT | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | AEB/APU/ANB | 8.9 s | | 1996–2000 | | 2.0 8v | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | AUZ/ASU/AVA | 11.1 s | | 1999–2000 | | 2.3 10v | VR5 | Petrol | | | | AGZ | 8.9 s | | 1997–2000 | | 2.8 30v | V6 | Petrol | | | | ACK/APR | 7.7 s | | 1997–2000 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AHU/AHH | 13.5 s | | 1996–2000 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AVB | 12.4 s | | 2000 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AFN/AVG | 11.5 s | | 1996–2000 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AJM | 10.8 s | | 1998–2000 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | ATJ | 10.8 s | | 1998–2000 | | 2.5 24v TDI | V6 | Diesel | | | | AFB/AKN | 9.4 s | | 1998–2000 |
Mid-2001 facelift (B5.5)
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 270 PS (202 kW) was introduced in 2002 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 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. 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 or 150-180 BHP 2.5 TDi, 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 are the same as their European equivalents.
Engines
The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group.
| Name | Engine | Volume | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0-100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
|---|
| 1.6 8v | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | ALZ | 12.7 s | | 2000–2005 | | 1.8 20vT | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | AWT | 9.2 s | | 2000–2005 | | 2.0 8v | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | AZM | 11.2 s | | 2000–2005 | | 2.0 20v | 4cyl | Petrol | | | | ALT | 9.9 s | | 2001–2005 | | 2.3 20v | VR5 | Petrol | | | | AZX | 9.1 s | | 2000–2003 | | 2.8 30v | V6 | Petrol | | | | AMX | 7.8 s | | 2000–2005 | | 4.0 32v | W8 | Petrol | | | | BDN | 6.5 s | | 2001–2004 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AVB | 12.4 s | | 2000–2005 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AWX | 9.9 s | | 2000–2005 | | 1.9 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | AVF | 9.9 s | | 2000–2005 | | 2.0 8v TDI | 4cyl | Diesel | | | | BGW | | | 2003–2005 | | 2.5 24v TDI | V6 | Diesel | | | | AKN | 9.6 s | | 2000–2003 | | 2.5 24v TDI | V6 | Diesel | | | | BDG | 9.1 s | | 2003–2005 | | 2.5 24V TDI | V6 | Diesel | | | | BDH/BAU | 8.7 s | | 2002–2005 |
Passat Mk6 (Passat B6, also as Magotan in China, PQ46, 2005–present)
The latest Passat was first displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005 and launched in Europe in the summer of 2005. The Mk6 Passat (the PQ46 platform) is now based upon the Golf Mk5. Confusingly, this model is sometimes referred to as the "B6" (or "3C") 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 something of a 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, called 4motion, the transverse-engine platform dictated a switch from the Torsen centre differential of the B5, to the Haldex Traction 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 torque more unequally than the Torsen, which was limited to 75:25 to 25:75 in the B5 Passat. Haldex is a reactive type system, behaving as a front-wheel-drive vehicle until slippage is detected, at which point up to a maximum of 50% of the torque can be transmitted to the rear axle. See quattro (four wheel drive system) 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 in 11.5 seconds, and for manual transmission versions), but the multivalve 2.0 L TDI is the most sought after version in Europe (available in both and variants). In the US market, it features a 2.0 L turbocharged I4 as the base engine, or a 3.6 L VR6 engine as the upgrade, with six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0T model) and automatic transmissions.
In February 2008, the 2.0 FSI was replaced with the new 1.8TSI Engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.8T pushes out , and reaches 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of . This engine is part of the wider VW policy for engine sharing.
The Passat Estate has just won overall winner of Practical Caravans Towcar of the Year Awards 2008 for it array of towing features such as its Trailer Stability Program.
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 Mk5 Passat).
The Passat Mk6 has received some criticism from enthusiasts due to the inclusion of a tamper-proof cage around the ECU, preventing modification by owners.
Passat R36
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007 Volkswagen launched the in the 'R' line by Volkswagen Individual GmbH the R36.
The R36 uses a retuned / 220kW 3.6 L VR6 engine producing 350Nm of torque, which pushes the Sedan & Variant (estate/wagon) to in 5.6 & 5.8 seconds respectively.
R36 has many distinguished features over the other Passat siblings such as a redesigned front and rear spoilers, 18 inch Omanyt aluminium wheels, 20 mm lower suspension, 'R' engraved stainless steel pedals, 'R' imprinted sport leather seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, and two rear mufflers.
In July 2008, Volkswagen launched the R36 version in the Middle East .
Passat CC
The CC ("Comfort Coupé" is a 4-door "coupé" version of the Passat. It debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Engines
Petrol engines
The following petrol engines are available:
| name | engine
code(s) | engine type | displacement | max. power | max. torque | years |
|---|
| 1.4 TSI | CAXA | I4 DOHC 16V, Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) and turbocharger | 1390 cc | | | 2007- | | 1.6 | BSE; BSF | I4 SOHC 8V, multipoint sequential fuel injection | 1595 cc | | | 2005- | | 1.6 FSI | BLF; BLP | I4 DOHC 16V, Fuel Stratified Injection | 1598 cc | | | 2005-2007 | | 1.8 TSI | BZB | I4 DOHC 16V, Fuel Stratified Injection and turbocharger | 1798 cc | | | 2007- | | 2.0 FSI | BLR; BVX; BVY | I4 DOHC 16V, Fuel Stratified Injection | 1984 cc | | | 2005-2007 | | 2.0 TFSI | AXX; BWA; CAWB; BPY | I4 DOHC 16V, Fuel Stratified Injection and turbocharger | 1984 cc | | | 2006- | | 2.0 TSI | AXX; BWA; CAWB; CCTA | I4 DOHC 16V, Fuel Stratified Injection and turbocharger | 1984 cc | | | 2008- | | 3.2 FSI | AXZ | VR6 DOHC 24V, Fuel Stratified Injection | 3189 cc | | | 2006- | | 3.6 FSI | BWS; BLV | VR6 DOHC 24V, Fuel Stratified Injection | 3597 cc | | | 2006- |
Diesel engines
The following diesel engines are available:
| name | engine
code(s) | engine type | displacement | max. power | max. torque | years |
|---|
| 1.9 TDI | BKC; BXE; BLS | I4 SOHC 8V, Pumpe Düse (PD) injectors; optional diesel particulate filter (DPF) | 1896 cc | | | 2005- | | 2.0 TDI | BKP | I4 DOHC 16V, Pumpe Düse injectors | 1968 cc | | | 2005-2008 | | 2.0 TDI DPF | BMP | I4 DOHC 16V, Pumpe Düse injectors, diesel particulate filter | 1968 cc | | | 2005-2008 | | 2.0 TDI DPF | CBAB | I4 DOHC 16V, piezoelectric common rail injection, diesel particulate filter | 1968 cc | | | 2008- | | 2.0 TDI DPF | BMR | I4 DOHC 16V, piezoelectric Pumpe Düse injectors, diesel particulate filter | 1968 cc | | | 2006-2008 | | 2.0 TDI DPF | CBBB | I4 DOHC 16V, piezoelectric common rail injection, diesel particulate filter | 1968 cc | | | 2008- |
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