Technical characteristics of Volkswagen Passat car

The Volkswagen Passat is a D-class automobile manufactured by Volkswagen from 1973 to the present. At first, it was a modification of the car Audi 80. Throughout its history, the car has undergone 8 generation changes. The main competitors are Audi A4, Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Infiniti G, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Teana, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 508, Renault Laguna, Skoda Superb, Suzuki Kizashi, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry.

Passat B1 (1973-1980)

The first generation was introduced in May 1973, was produced for 7 years, and 2.6 million cars were produced until 1980. In addition to Germany, B1s were also produced in Brazil (until 1988), Australia, South Africa and Nigeria. There were four body types - 2- and 4-door sedans and 3- and 5-door hatchbacks. Another body type - a station wagon - appeared in 1974.

The power plant was not very diverse - three four-cylinder petrol engines with a capacity of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 liters (55, 75 and 85 hp) and one 1.5-liter diesel (50 hp). In 1979, a 1.6 GLI engine with fuel injection and 110 hp appeared. The transmission is mechanical 4-speed or automatic 3-speed. All cars had front-wheel drive.

This modification was awarded the "Car of the Year" prize by Wheels magazine in 1974. In 1977, it was restyled, mainly changing the front end exterior, as well as the rear lights. Both metal bumpers were replaced with plastic ones.

Passat B2 (1980-1988)

The second generation was presented in October 1980. Over 4 million cars were produced in Germany and other countries in eight years. In addition to Germany, the car was also assembled in Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and China. The main changes were the new design, which no longer allowed the car to be compared with the Audi 80, as well as a noticeable increase in size. At first, there were 3 body types - 3- and 5-door hatchback and station wagon. In 1981, a four-door sedan appeared - Volkswagen Santana.

The engine range has expanded significantly compared to the first generation. There are 8 petrol modifications: 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 liters (L4) and 1.9, 2.0, 2.2 liters (L5) with a capacity of 72 to 174 hp, and only 3 diesel modifications: 1.5 LD4, 1.6 LTD4, 1.9 LD4 with a capacity of 68 to 80 hp. There are only 3 types of transmissions - 4- and 5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. In 1984, the first Passat Synchro with all-wheel drive appeared.

Since 1984, the Santana sedan has been assembled by the Japanese company Nissan. In 1985, the Passat was restyled. The first engines with catalytic converters appeared. Also this year, Santana began to be produced in China. Production of this model in China was completed only in 2013 and over 3 million cars were assembled in almost 28 years.

Passat B3 (1988-1993)

This generation was introduced in 1988 in Europe, in North America (1990) and in South America (1995). The demand for the car was very high due to its modern appearance, spacious interior and luggage compartment. The body is available in two versions - sedan and station wagon.

The car was presented in different trim levels on the European market: CL (Classic), basic with some options; GL (Grand Lux), more luxurious, with the same color of the body, bumpers and mirrors, all options available; GT (Grand Turismo), sports package with injection engine, plastic body kit, sports seats and also any options to choose from; GLX for America, the richest with all options.

Power plants are represented by petrol engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.8 liters (72-211 hp), as well as diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 to 1.9 liters (68-80 hp). Transmission is a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, and cars with the Synchro designation have all-wheel drive.

Passat B4 (1993-1997)

The fourth generation is a deep restyling of the previous modification. The radiator grille has reappeared, the interior design of the car has changed. The body is also in two versions - a sedan and a station wagon.

The engine range includes petrol L4 with a capacity of 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0, V6 with a capacity of 2.8 and 2.9 liters (100-184 hp), as well as diesel with a capacity of 1.9 liters (75-110 hp). Transmission 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive models have the Synchro prefix.

About 690 thousand units of this generation of cars were produced.

Passat B5 (1996-2005)

The cars of this generation are fundamentally different from the previous ones. They are unified with the brand Audi A4 and Audi A6. Over the almost 10-year production period, the B5 became truly popular, with about 3.3 million units produced. The body types remained unchanged - sedan and station wagon.

The engines were petrol L4: 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 liters, V5 2.3 liters, V6 2.8 liters (90-193 hp) and W8 4.0 liters (275 hp); and diesel engines with a capacity of 1.9-2.5 liters (45-150 hp). Three types of transmission: 5- and 6-speed manual transmission and 5-speed automatic transmission. The drive is also mainly on the front wheels, all-wheel drive models have the Synchro prefix.

In 2001, a facelift and a "new" name were made - Passat B5+ or B5.5. A number of improvements were made, equipment was updated and the appearance of the car was changed.

Passat B6 (2005-2010)

In 2005, the sixth generation of Passat was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The main difference from the models of previous years is the transverse arrangement of the engine under the hood. The body types have not changed - sedan and station wagon.

The engine range includes petrol engines with a capacity of 1.4 to 3.2 litres (122-250 hp) and diesel engines with a capacity of 1.6 to 2.0 litres (105-170 hp). The choice of transmissions has expanded significantly: 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions, 6-speed automatic transmissions, as well as 6- and 7-speed robotic preselective DSG gearboxes.

Passat B7 (2010-2014)

This generation is essentially a restyling of the sixth generation. This mainly affected the exterior of the car, but the interior remained almost the same. New electronic systems appeared - shock absorber control, automatic braking and automatic parking. Body types - sedan and station wagon.

The engines are completely free of naturally aspirated engines, replaced by turbocharging. Four petrol engines with a capacity of 1.4 to 2.0 litres (122-211 hp) and one turbodiesel with a capacity of 2.0 litres (170 hp). The choice of transmission consists of three options: 6-speed manual, 6-speed and 7-speed robotic DSG.

Passat B8 (2014—present)

In November 2014, the eighth modification of the Passat appeared in Europe. It is based on the new stretched MQB platform (modular vehicle platform with transverse front engine). Aluminum and steel are used to reduce weight.

It uses a wide range of driver assistance systems, such as semi-automated parking, emergency assistant, autonomous cruise control, collision warning system, progressive steering, etc.

The engine lineup includes petrol engines with a capacity of 1.4 to 2.0 litres (125-211 hp) and diesel engines with a capacity of 2.0 litres (170 hp). The transmission is the same as that of the B7 generation.

Passat B8 sedan, back view

Passat B8 station wagon

Passat B8 station wagon, back view