Volkswagen Passat
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Infobox Automobile
|image=Image:Passat Wagon (Current).jpg
|name=Volkswagen Passat
|aka=Volkswagen Dasher
Volkswagen Quantum
Volkswagen Santana
Volkswagen Corsar
|manufacturer=Volkswagen
|production=1973–present
|class= 1973-1981: Small family car, 1982-present: Large family car
|predecessor=Volkswagen Type 3
|similar=Peugeot 407
Mazda Mazda6
Nissan Primera
Ford Mondeo
}}
The Volkswagen Passat is a family car built by Volkswagen AG, produced in various forms since 1973. It falls between the Volkswagen Golf/Jetta and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen lineup, and is currently produced in Volkswagen's plant in Emden, Germany. Although normally known as the Passat in European markets, it has been badged as a variety of other names including Dasher, Santana and Quantum in other markets.
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 designed together with Audi 80/Fox and the two share the same platform. 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. As of 2006, the Passat is one of Volkswagen's best-selling and most-profitable models in nearly every market. While the original Passat was a small family car, the modern Passat has grown in size and moved to the segment of large family size cars.
Contents |
Volkswagen Passat Mark 1 (B1 platform)
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=First generation
|image=Image:Vw passat b1 v sst.jpg
|aka=Volkswagen Dasher
|production=1973–1981
|related=Audi 80/Fox
|engine=1.3 L I4
1.5 L I4
1.6 L I4
1.5 L diesel I4
|body_style=2-door sedan
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
5-door hatchback
}}
The original VW Passat was launched in 1973 (as a 1974 model). 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). All the versions sharing the same external design was ususual, since two of the models were traditional sedans with a separate trunk. A five-door station wagon was introduced in 1974. Passat was effectively a less expensive version of the Audi 80 (Fox) sedan which had been introduced a year earlier and which had a more conservative body style, so that the Audi and Volkswagen models had distinct body styles and image. In Europe, Passat was equipped with hexagonal or single round or double round 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 in 1975.
VW Passat was one of the most modern European family cars at the time, and was intended as a replacement for the ageing Volkswagen Type 3, and as a contemporary rival for popular Ford Taunus (In the United Kingdom Cortina) and Opel Ascona (In the UK: 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 3-speed automatic or 4-speed manual transmission. It had a MacPherson strut front suspension with a solid axle/coil spring setup in back.
The SOHC 1.5 produced 75 hp (55 kW) and was enlarged to 1.6 L for 1975. The larger engine included tighter emissions controls, so power output dropped to 70 hp (52 kW). Bosch fuel injection on the 1.6 was introduced in 1976 and brought power up to 78 hp (57 kW).
The whole range received a facelift in 1977 (launched 1978 in North America), featuring an interior upgrade and subtly revised styling including repositioned indicators and quad (round) headlights on all models. 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 Golf/Rabbit's 1.5 L Diesel engine, which produced just 48 hp (35 kW) in the 1130 kg (2500 lb) car. 0–60 time for the Diesel was 19.4 seconds, 6.2 seconds slower than the gasoline (petrol) engine. Still, all gasoline engines were dropped for North America in 1981 in preparation for the next generation car the next year.
Volkswagen Passat Mark 2 (B2 platform)
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Second generation
|image=Image:Vw passat b2 2f v sst.jpg
|production=1982–1987
|related=Ford Versailles
Ford Royale
Ford Galaxy
|aka=Volkswagen Quantum
Volkswagen Santana
Volkswagen Corsar
|engine=1.3 L I4
1.5 L I4
1.6 L I4
2.0 L I4
1.5 L diesel I4
1.8 L diesel I4
|body_style=3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
5-door hatchback
}}
The second generation VW Passat, an all-new car, was launched in 1981 for the 1982 model year. 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.
As well as the Passat hatchback and estate there was also a sedan, which until the beginning of 1985 was sold as the Volkswagen Santana in Europe.
The range received a minor facelift in 1985, with the sedan, now known as the Passat, sharing the same front end as the hatchback and estate. The Passat sedan and estate were produced in South Africa until 1987.
The range of engines (still all inline 4 units in the US) was more extensive than that of the first generation Passat, and included a 2.0 petrol and a 1.8 diesel as well as all the engines previously available in the B1 model. European models featured also a straight-5 Audi engine that often was combined with the 4WD, called "syncro".
Brazilian and Chinese Santanas
Image:Brazilian Santana B2 2 2002.jpg
The Passat is also still built in Brazil as the Santana sedan, while the Quantum station wagon has retired from Volkswagen's Brazilian lineup.
Image:Brazilian Quantum 2000 GLSi 1994 1.jpg
Under the terms of a joint venture with Ford called 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.
Image:Chinese SVW Santana 2000 B2 2003 4.jpg
This Santana is still built in China at Shanghai-Volkswagen's Shanghai factory, with a major facelift, as the Volkswagen Santana 3000which replaced the Volkswagen Santana 2000 and Volkswagen Santana which has the original Passat B2 Face.
Image:Chinese SVW Santana 3000 2004 B2 1.jpg
The Brazilian Santana and Chinese version were co-developed between the two companies although the Chinese versions have a longer wheelbase, both are still built.
Volkswagen Passat Mark 3 (B3 platform)
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Third generation
|image=Image:Vw passat b3 v sst.jpg
|production=1988–1993
|engine=1.6 L Turbodiesel
2.0 L I4
2.8 L VR6
|body_style=4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
}}
The third generation Passat (introduced 1988 in Europe, 1990 in North America) was a completely new car. 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.
At the time it was the first Passat to be built on an independently designed platform, rather than sharing one with an Audi saloon. Instead, the car, although designated B3 in VW's platform nomenclature, was largely on the A Platform as used for the smaller Golf model. Only sedan and station wagon versions were available, without the fastback option of previous models. It was marketed under the Passat name in all markets, including North America.
The fuel injected engines were all new and 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. Volkswagen's new 2.8 V6 VR6 engine (also used in the Golf and Corrado) was also made available in 1991, giving the top-of-the-range Passat a top speed of 224 km/h (139 mph). The Passat took over from the Jetta once again as Volkswagen's top-of-the-line model for North America.
1993 Mark 3
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Fourth generation
|image=Image:VW Passat 1996 NA TDI f.jpg
|production=1993–1997
|engine=1.8 L I4
2.8 L VR6
1.9 L TDI I4
|body_style=4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
}}
Although the Mk 3 was heavily facelifted in 1993 it has sometimes been referred to as the Mk IV Passat while Volkswagen even renamed the platform B4. This version was available from 1995 to 1997 in North America. The car was mechanically nearly identical to the original Mk 3, but every external body panel was new, while the most obvious exterior change was the re-introduction of a grille to match the style of other contemporary Volkswagen models such as the Mk 3 Golf whose styling didn't follow on from the original Mk 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 hp (66 kW) at 3750 rpm. VW introduced the TDI engine to the North American market in the 1996 B4 Passat, with 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, partially because the TDI option was withdrawn from the American market in the 1998 B5 model since it was considered underpowered. The B4 TDI wagon (often known by the European moniker "Variant") is even rarer, fewer than 1000 having been imported to the US during its 1996 to 1997 lifespan. In addition to the extra cargo room, it is valued by many TDI enthusiasts for its greatly expanded range. The main tank is approximately the same size as other Mark 4 Passats, but filling its unusually capacious vent chamber allows the wagon to hold more than 100 liters (26.4 U.S. gallons) of diesel in an unmodified vehicle.[1]
Volkswagen Passat Mark 4 (B5 platform)
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Fourth generation
|image=Image:Vw passat mkV II 2001.jpg
|production=1998–2005
|engine=1.8 L I4
2.0 L I4
2.3 L I4
2.8 L V6
4.0 L W8
|related=Audi A4
|body_style=4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
}}
The all-new fourth-generation Passat (sometimes referred to as the 5th generation Passat) (B5 platform) was launched in 1996 in Europe and 1998 in North America, and was an entirely new car design from the ground up. It was significant in that it returned to sharing a platform with an Audi (the Mk I Audi A4 from 1994), again using the classic "overhung" longitudinally mounted engine with front wheel drive.
The Mk 4 Passat was a very significant car in its class. Not only was it the first step of VW moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between the mainstream machines and the premium cars, with SEAT and Skoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands, it also brought in a new level of interior quality and sophistication never seen before from a mainstream brand in the class. In fact, the quality of the Passat was on a par with its sister Audi A4 and it undoubtedly took some sales from its more costly premium in-house rival. The £16,000 starting price in the UK put it £1,000 above the equivalent Ford Mondeo, but the price difference showed when it came to luxury and upmarket feel. Rivals launched before 1996 now appeared cheap.
However, the advent of the Mk 4 Passat meant that most mainstream rivals in the class had to raise their game with interior quality to the point where there are now virtually no differences in quality levels between mainstream and premium cars in the class. The 2000 Ford Mondeo was the first car to show the effect the Mk 4 Passat had on the class. Only the budget brands in the class have not raised their game, but this is reflected in their prices. Volkswagen was about to play the same game in the class below with the Mk IV Volkswagen Golf in 1997.
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 Mk IV Golf, Bora/Mk IV Jetta and Mk IV Polo. The Passat also influenced the styling of many yet-to-be-launched rivals.
Dynamically, the most notable thing about the Passat was its good ride, which was as good as anything produced by Mercedes-Benz or BMW. The handling though was generally accepted to be some way off the standards of the Mk I Ford Mondeo and the Peugeot 406 which was launched in 1995. The interior was also luxurious and well equipped, with a long equipment list which included power windows, air conditioning, CD player, power mirrors, power sunroof and leather upholstery.
The car featured sophisticated 4-link front suspension, designed to eliminate torque steering. All wheel drive was later introduced as an option, using an expensive Torsen center differential which helps avoid loss of traction by using a 50:50 power distribution under normal conditions, and gave excellent superior handling on slick surfaces. The B5 Passat shared its platform with the Audi A4. Power came from entirely new 1.8 L, 2.0 L, 2.3 L and 2.8 L gasoline engines, including a 1.8 L turbocharged 4-cylinder, or 2.8 L V6. The 1.8 L engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine, and suffers from oil sludge problems as a result. Two transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
2000 Mark 4
In mid-2000, the Passat received a facelift, involving a minor tweaking of the styling and some mechanical alteration, and the platform continued to be known as B5. Although some of the body panels remained unchanged, new projector-optic headlights and bumpers gave the car a fresher look. The Passat was still very much the comfortable, well-built and luxurious large saloon and estate which had been launched four years earlier. Traditional Volkswagen trademarks of build quality and reliability continued to boost the Passat's reputation.
The naturally aspirated 1.8 L gasoline engine was dropped, and a 4.0 L W8 engine producing 280 hp (202 kW) was introduced in 2001 in an upmarket version of the car that included all wheel drive standard, but this was a slow seller and the engine was retired in 2004. In 2004, a 2.0 L turbocharged diesel TDI engine producing 134 hp was added (making the Passat the only mid-sized diesel powered car sold in the US).
Mark 4 LWB
Image:Chinese SVW Passat LWB B5 2003 11.jpg
A long-wheelbase version was offered in China in 2000 by Volkswagen's Joint Venture partner Shanghai Automotive, and this lengthened platform went on to underpin the Skoda Superb in Western markets both had a 100 mm longer wheelbase and length than the standard B5 Passat.
Image:Chinese SVW Passat Lingyu B5 2005 3.jpg
An updated version called the Passat Lingyu was released in 2005, which has the 1.8 L Turbo and 2.8 L V6 gasoline engines.
Volkswagen Passat Mark 6 (B6 platform)
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Fith generation
|image=Image:Volkswagen Passat B6.jpg
|production=2005–present
|engine=2.0 L I4
3.6 L VR6
|related=Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Touran
Skoda Octavia
|body_style=4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
}}
The latest Passat, an all new car, was first displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005 and launched in Europe in the summer of 2005. The new B6 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 B6 platform) is now based upon the Golf Mk V.
Styling-wise, the car follows the latest design language first introduced on the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury car, although the consensus from the motoring press is that the Passat is not as pleasing as the previous model due to its proportions, caused by long front and rear overhangs and narrow track, and front detailing.
The bulletproof interior quality of the previous generation appears to have been lost, and although still of a very high standard the Passat no longer matches its in-house rival, the Audi A4. Many believe the reason for this step back in quality, also seen in the Mk V Golf of 2003, is to allow daylight between the marketing and price positioning of Audi and Volkswagen products. The previous generation Volkswagens were generally viewed to be on par with their Audi cousins.
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 understeer -- and better fuel economy. Unlike the Torsen, the Haldex can only respond after slippage has occurred. It does this with a jolt which may cause the remaining wheels with traction to lose their grip. The Haldex can direct power more unequally than the Torsen, which was limited to 66:34 or 34:66 in the B5 Passat. This may help with extraction from deep sand, although the Passat is far from being an off-road vehicle.
Fuel stratified injection is used in nearly every petrol version of the Passat, ranging from 1.6 to 3.2 L, but the multivalve 2.0 L TDI is the most sought out version in Europe. 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 and automatic transmissions.
Also new to this platform is the fact that the GL, GLS, and GLX trim levels are now substituted by the more simpler way of classifying by the engine (2.0T, 3.6L, TDI, etc.).
Technical specifications
2001 Passat GLS V6 sedan (North America)
- Engine Type: 2.8 L, 6-cylinder, 30-valve, 90° V
- Power (SAE): 190 hp (142 kW) @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 206 lbf·ft (280 N·m) @ 3200 rpm
- Redline: 6500 rpm
- Bore and Stroke: 3.25 by 3.40 in (82.5 by 86.4 mm)
- Displacement: 169.1 in³ (2771 cm³)
- Compression ratio: 10.6:1
- Arrangement: Front mounted, longitudinal
- Cylinder Block: Cast iron
- Crank Shaft: Forged steel, four main bearings
- Cylinder head: Aluminum alloy, cross flow
- Valve Train: Double overhead camshaft with variable intake valve timing, spur belt driven, 5 valves per cylinder, maintenance-free hydraulic lifters
- Cooling System: Water cooled, water pump, cross flow radiator, thermostatically controlled electric radiator fan
- Lubrication: Rotary gear pump, oil cooler
- Fuel/Air Supply: Sequential multi-point fuel injection (Motronic ME7), variable intake manifold geometry
- Emissions: OBD II, LEV, two 3-way precatalytic converters and two main catalytic converters with four oxygen sensors (upstream and downstream)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Transmission Ratios:
- 1st 3.50:1
- 2nd 1.94:1
- 3rd 1.30:1
- 4th 0.94:1
- 5th 0.79:1
- Reverse 3.44:1
- Final Drive 3.70:1
- Front suspension: Four link suspension, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
- Rear suspension: Independent torsion beam axle with trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
- Steering type: Rack and pinion, power assisted
- Steering Wheel turns: 2.80 lock-to-lock
- Turning Circle: 37.4 ft (11.4 m) curb-to-curb
- Steering ratio: 14.3 : 1
- Wheels: 7J x 15 in (381 mm) cast aluminum "Adelaide"
- Original Tires: Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus P195/65R15 H-rated
- Braking System: Power assisted, dual circuit
- Front Discs: Ventilated, 282.5 by 25 mm (11.1 by 1 in)
- Rear Discs: Solid, 245 by 10 mm (9.6 by 0.4 in)
- Parking Brake: Rear, mechanical
- Anti-lock braking system: Bosch 5.3, all four wheels
- Wheelbase: 106.4 in (2703 mm)
- Track, front: 59.0 in (1499 mm)
- Track, rear: 59.1 in (1501 mm)
- Length: 184.1 in (4676 mm)
- Width: 68,5 in (1740 mm)
- Height: 57.6 in (1463 mm)
- Ground Clearance: 4.3 in (109 mm)
- Curb Weight: 3151 lb (1432 kg)
- Payload: 1005 lb (457 kg)
External links
- Passat World: Passat Enthusiast Website
- VW Germany: Passat
- VW of America: Passat
- VW UK: Passat
- VW Passat Yahoo Group (mailing list)
- History of the Passat
- Autocar Road Test July 2005: Volkswagen Passat Saloon 2.0TDI SE 4dr (Mk 6)
- Used VW information
- TDI FAQ
Template:Modern European Volkswagen vehicles Template:Modern South American Volkswagen vehiclesde:VW Passat fi:Volkswagen Passat fr:Volkswagen Passat pl:Volkswagen Passat pt:Volkswagen Passat sv:Volkswagen Passat zh:大众帕萨特