by: Jamie Vondruska

The fifth-generation (B5) Passat in many ways was a landmark car for Volkswagen. It was the first of the "new" Volkswagen products launched (beginning in 1997) that helped redefine the expectations of both consumers and competitors when it came to ride, handling, interior materials, fit and finish, and more. It was named Consumer Reports' number one family sedan pick in 1999, upsetting a pedestal the Camry and Accord had held onto for more than 10 years. The B5 Passat still holds its own against the competition's all-new platforms when it comes to the details, but the competition has long since passed the outgoing Passat when it comes to power, ride and handling - a direct result of the B5 Passat's excrutiatingly long product lifecycle. So enter the all-new sixth-generation Passat with more power, infinitely improved ride and handling and even more features than the outgoing model.

Full Story...

Bravo!

I feel that this Passat looks much better in person than in pictures, but the chrome is still a bit too much. While the new Audi front end is controversial, it at least recalls older automotive stylings. MB has become more bland, IMO and BMW's just look a little too much like a German interpretation of the Asian auto maunfacturers.

Hopefully the JettaV will get a bit of a freshening soon. The Passat looks much more like an extension of the brand then the Jetta. Hopefully I will get to take a Passat out for a spin. It looks to be a winner for VW. Good power, good value, and good looks!

You've ducked the fact that not too long after, Consumer Reports pulled their recommendation of the Passat, siting its many quality and reliability issues

Quote, originally posted by veedublvr »

alright, who's gonna be the first to stuff the 3.6 into a mkI ?

I want to shove one in my 'rado.....that would be swweeeeet mated with a 6 speed......

DROOOLLLLSSSS

1. Why a Tiptronic, instead of a DSG unit?
   
2. What tranny options will there be with 4Motion?
   
3. Why doesn't VW "tweak" the 2.0T for a little higher output in the Passat?

They've been wondering that for a while since the 1.8T B5 Passat had 150hp (and then 170hp) while the 1.8T MkIV Jetta/Golf/GTI had 150hp (and then 180hp).

The answer is that Passats and GLI/GTIs are marketed for different demographics.

Quote, originally posted by Helicon Twist »

A4-chassis cynicism aside three questions: Why a Tiptronic, instead of a DSG unit? What tranny options will there be with 4Motion? Why doesn't VW "tweak" the 2.0T for a little higher output in the Passat? I ask that last question because I suspect some buyers might wonder why the larger Passat has the same engine power as the smaller GTI and GLI.

1. Tiptronic at the end of the day behaves most like a regular torque converter automatic (because it is) and that's what people expect from an automatic. DSG as good as it is at simulating a regular automatic, still isn't up to par with the new Aisin six-speed tiptronic and when the almight J.D. Power survey comes around and people expect an automatic to be buttery smooth and completely act like an automatic may give VW poorer marks for the DSG.

I'm torn on this issue as I think DSG would be a great compromise between tiptronic and manual (since VW only wants to invest in certifying one transmission right now to keep costs down). However I understand the pressure from the general consumer and things like the J.D. Power IQS have on decision like this. Hopefully VW will eventually make two different transmission choices in the future product lifecycle of this Passat.

2. 4motion will only be available with an Automatic in the 3.6l for now.

3. The 2.0T development expenses have been covered in durability testing and such for the current power output of the 2.0T. Additional costs would have been incurred to up the horsepower and do EPA certification and durability testing (not to mention any additional potential piece costs). VW is current durability testing 240-250hp for the future...

To minimize investments in the current car the power was kept at 200hp. That said, it is widely talked about that the 200hp rating of the 2.0T is conservative. If you drive the new Passat 2.0T I think you'll find that it is actually pretty decent in terms of power.

-jamie

Quote, originally posted by Helicon Twist »

A4-chassis cynicism aside three questions: Why a Tiptronic, instead of a DSG unit? What tranny options will there be with 4Motion? Why doesn't VW "tweak" the 2.0T for a little higher output in the Passat? I ask that last question because I suspect some buyers might wonder why the larger Passat has the same engine power as the smaller GTI and GLI.

1: Maybe they dont have one they're comfortable using with this amount of tq
2: 6-speed auto
3: CDause it doesn't need it. Even in "200hp" form, the 2.0T moves!!!!

On the other hand, that engine looks nice. I's like to see a 3.6 vr6 mk3 swap.

90 Mercury Topaz

LOL! That made me laugh with tears.

"Whether all this new design language translates into what a Volkswagen, or indeed any German car, should look like is up for debate in our minds - then again, many of the new designs coming out of Germany are controversial these days. Like a bad Tammy Faye Bakker makeup job, someone needs to take the crayons and makeup away from the designers and remind them of the KISS principal (Keep It Simple Stupid!). Perhaps a re-education on Bauhaus design theory is in order… but I digress."

"Volkswagen has designed an all-new "key" for the new Passat that is a slick looking radio/infrared unit that you push into a slot on the dashboard that nearly swallows the entire key. Simply push the key into the slot, hold it down for a couple of seconds and the car starts right up. Since there is no actual key sticking out of the steering column or dash there is less clutter and little possibility of getting injured by a key in the traditional location in a crash."

Boy....run right down to the hardware store when you need a spare key Give me a break!

Otherwise, I think the car looks very nice but I just don't understand making starting the car so complicated/expensive. If it's safety you're worried about, put the key on the floor like Saab does or something.

Quote, originally posted by MI_canuck »

dude - that's like winning the lottery TWICE (your wife prefers wagons *AND* hates automatics)...

Ben's VEE-DUB Shop, Madison WI

Quote, originally posted by KeithVH »

Boy....run right down to the hardware store when you need a spare key Give me a break!

There is more to the key than the shape of it. Electronics inside you know... You won't get into the car with a piece of metal from the hardware store...

Like the engine! Bring on the Mk5 Golf R36!

Now I want that motor in my car

VW's prices are going 'through the roof'!

http://www.s14.net
http://www.customobsessions.com

Quote, originally posted by magic_hobo »

good looking car overall, but I still don't know what VW is was smoking when they decided to put crystal clear parts in the tails

I agree 110%. I saw a truck load of new Passats on the road and that's the first thing I noticed. I hope someone makes aftermarket all red lens to ditch those things.

That price means I won't buy one. I could afford it, but i wouldn't want to.

Dont know when but it is for the US

Been on the tex since 02' , just forgot passwords.

Only if they would do a corrado r36 .... now I am just dreamin (slap slap wake up)

Been on the tex since 02' , just forgot passwords.

Quote, originally posted by Black00vr63 »

Only if they would do a corrado r36 .... now I am just dreamin (slap slap wake up)

That would be something

R36 motor looks great. Now they just need to make a version with a 6 speed and RWD to compete with other german cars.

That would rock... but oh well, the AWD is great too

Sold:
2000 GTI VR6
GIAC chip, DSR256 cams, 337pedals, Neuspeed strut bar... 14.93 @ 93.02 mph

Any word on gas mileage on the 3.6?

Also, will the U.S. market get the "enhanced trailering stability" option apparently already available in Europe?

Thanks.