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. Notably, Volkswagen has announced the forthcoming Passat CC, a 4-door “coupé” version of the Passat.
The name ‘Passat derives from the German word for trade wind.
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.[citation needed]
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.
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 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 (55 PS (54 hp/40 kW)) and 1.5 l (75 PS (74 hp/55 kW)/85 PS (84 hp/63 kW)) 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 Juli 1978 the Passat Diesel became available, equipped with the VW Golf`s 1.5 l Diesel (50 PS (49 hp/37 kW)), 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.
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 75 hp (56 kW) (or 70 hp (52 kW) in 1975), supplanted from model year 1976 by a Bosch fuel-injected 1.6 lfour (78 hp (58 kW).
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.
In Brazil, the Passat B1 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. This generation was also extensively exported to Iraq, where many are still on the road. It was also assembled in Nigeria.
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 1985 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 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 a 4WD system, named syncro. Despite the naming, the 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.
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 Quantum 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.This model is used by taxi companies all over China.
In 1991, the Volkswagen Santana 2000 was put into development with Volkswagen do Brasil and started mass production in 1995. It had been replaced in 2004 by the Volkswagen Santana 3000 which was the first VW to be designed by Shanghai-Volkswagen, and it has been replaced in 2008 by the Volkswagen Santana Vista (Zhijun). Both the original Santana and the Santana Vista 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.
1.6L I4 53 kW (71 hp)
1.6L I4 55 kW (74 hp)
1.8L I4 55 kW (74 hp)
1.8L I4 66 kW (89 hp)
1.8L I4 118 kW (158 hp) G60
2.0L I4 85 kW (114 hp)
2.0L I4 100 kW (134 hp) 16 valve
2.8L VR6 128 kW (172 hp)
Diesel:
1.6L I4 59 kW (79 hp)Turbocharged
1.9L I4 50 kW (67 hp)
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.
1.6L I4 74 kW (99 hp)
1.8L I4 55 kW (74 hp)
1.8L I4 66 kW (89 hp)
2.0L I4 85 kW (114 hp)
2.0L I4 110 kW (148 hp) 16V
2.8L VR6 128 kW (172 hp)
2.9L VR6 135 kW (181 hp)
Diesel:
1.9L I4 55 kW (74 hp) Turbo
1.9L I4 66 kW (89 hp) TDI
Though the car was mechanically nearly identical to the original Mark 3, 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 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 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 (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 miles per US gallon (5.2 L/100 km/54 mpg imp) highway. Combined with a 70-litre (18 US gal/15 imp gal) 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, 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.
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).
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 AWD system, which helps avoid loss of traction on slick surfaces. This was the same Torsen AWD system as Audi used in the A4 and A6. Power came from a 1.8 L turbocharged 150-hp 4-cylinder engine, or a 2.8 L 30-valve 190 hp (140 kW) V6 (not to be confused with the earlier VR6). 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 full synthetic oils. Two transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic.
In mid-2000, 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 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.
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 20-Valve Turbo and 2.0 petrol or 1.9 TDi in 90, 100, 110, 115 and 130 bhp (97 kW) 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 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 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.
1.4L Turbo FSI I4 122 PS (120 hp/90 kW)
1.6L I4 102 PS (101 hp/75 kW)
1.6L FSI I4 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW)
1.8L Turbo FSI I4 160 PS (158 hp/118 kW)
2.0L FSI I4 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW)
2.0L Turbo FSI I4 200 PS (197 hp/147 kW)
3.2L FSI VR6 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW)
3.6L FSI VR6 300 PS (296 hp/221 kW)
Diesel
1.9L TDI I4 105 PS (104 hp/77 kW)
2.0L TDI I4 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW)
2.0L TDI I4 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW)
CNG/petrol bivalent
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, called 4Motion, 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-drive vehicle until slippage is detected, at which point up to 50% of the power can be diverted to the axle opposite the engine/transmission. 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 (62 mph) in 11.5 seconds, and 193 km/h (120 mph) for MT), but the multivalve 2.0 L TDI is the most sought-out version in Europe (available in both 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) and 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) 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, with six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0T model) and automatic transmissions.
For the Singapore market in February 2008, the 2L NA version was replaced with the new 1.8T FSI Engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.8T pushes out 160 bhp (119 kW/162 PS), 250 N·m (180 ft·lbf) and reaches 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). It is the same engine that comes in the new A4.
In the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, the R36 performance model using a retuned 300 hp (220 kW) 3.6 L VR6 engine was introduced, pushing the Variant (wagon) to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds.
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).
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.