2000 VW Passat

2001 March: A 4-litre, 8-cylinder (W8) Volkswagen Passat was shown at the Geneva Motor Show. With 275hp and a top speed of 240km/h, VW's ``4motion'' four-wheel drive system is fitted as standard. 4motion includes a Torsen centre diff' and traction control (sounds like Audi's Quattro system, funny that). The main variations are sedan or station wagon, 6-speed manual or 5-speed tiptronic gearbox. The car will be on sale in Europe this year.

2000: Volkswagen Passat 2.8 V6 Syncro sedan (VW pic'); `Syncro' denotes four wheel drive. The V6 petrol engine delivers 142kW at 6000rpm and 280Nm at 3200rpm. A 5-speed Tiptoronic transmission is standard in Australia.

1999: Volkswagen Passat Syncro (4x4), with 2.8 litre 142kW 30-valve V6 engine.
- 4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html

The Passat's Syncro system uses a Torsen centre differential. The ABS brakes are also employed as a traction control aid if one wheel should spin. Front wheel drive Passats have a torsion beam rear axle, but the Syncros have double wishbones at the rear.

station wagon, 5 seats, 4 doors, air-bags, seat belt pretensioners
loa: 4675mm, width: 1740mm, height: 1459mm
weight: 1585kg (unladen)
2771cc, petrol, V6, efi, 5-valves/cyl, dohc
power: 142kW at 6000rpm, torque: 280Nm at 3200rpm
transmission: 5-spd Tiptronic auto, Syncro 4x4 with Torsen centre diff'
suspension: indep/indep, brakes: disc/disc, ABS
remote central locking, air-con', 8 speaker stereo and CD, cruise control
warranty: 3 years / 60,000km, 3 year paintwork, 11 years body perforation
Rivals: Audi A6 Avant

Prices $au 2/1999: 1.8L 20V $42,340 (4 man'), $44,540 (4a); 1.8L 20V Turbo $46,990 (4m); 1.8L 20V Turbo 5-spd Tiptronic $49,190; 2.8L 30V V6 5-spd Tiptronic $54,990; 2.8L 30V V6 5-spd Tiptronic syncro $64,990.

See the Passat (current), VW and Syncro van pages