Volkswagen Passat (B6)

Volkswagen Passat (B6/B7)
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Also called	Volkswagen Magotan (FAW-VW) Volkswagen Variant
Production	2005–2010 (B6) 2010–2015 (B7)
Model years	2006–2010 (B6) 2011–2015 (B7)
Assembly	Emden, Germany Mosel/Zwickau, Germany Kaluga, Russia Aurangabad, India (CKD) Luanda, Angola (VW/Ancar) Solomonovo, Ukraine (Eurocar) Changchun, China (FAW-VW) Pekan, Malaysia (DRB-HICOM) (B7)
Designer	Robert Lešnik[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size car / Large family car (D)
Body style	4-door saloon/sedan 5-door estate/wagon 4-door coupé (Passat CC)
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive or 4motion four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group A6 PQ46
Related	Volkswagen Golf Mk6 Volkswagen Tiguan Audi A3 SEAT Leon SEAT Toledo SEAT Altea Škoda Octavia Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit/GTI, Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Passat CC
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol engines: 1.4 L I4 TFSI 1.6 L I4 FSI 1.8 L I4 TSI 2.0 L I4 FSI 2.0 L I4 TSI 3.2 L VR6 FSI 3.6 L VR6 FSI; Diesel engines: 1.6 L I4 TDI 1.9 L I4 TDI; 2.0 L I4 TDI; CNG/petrol bivalent: 1.4 L I4 TSI EcoFuel
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 6-speed DSG automatic 7-speed DSG automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2005-2010: 2,709 mm (106.65 in) 2010-2015: 2,711 mm (106.73 in) FAW-VW Magotan B7: 2,812 mm (110.71 in)[2]
Length	Sedan: 2005-08: 188.2 in (4,780 mm) 2009-2010: 187.6 in (4,765 mm) 2010-2015: 4,769 mm (187.76 in) FAW-VW Magotan B7: 4,865 mm (191.54 in) Wagon: 2005-2010: 188.0 in (4,775 mm) 2010-2015: 4,771 mm (187.83 in)
Width	1,820 mm (71.7 in)
Height	2005-2010: Sedan: 58.0 in (1,473 mm) Wagon: 59.7 in (1,516 mm) 2010-2015: Sedan: 1,490 mm (58.66 in) Wagon: 1,536 mm (60.47 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volkswagen Passat (B5)
Successor	Volkswagen Passat (B8) Volkswagen Passat NMS

The Volkswagen Passat (B6) is an automobile which was produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen from 2005 to 2010 with production of the car continuing in facelifted form as the Volkswagen Passat (B7) from 2010 to 2015. The B6 and B7 are the six and seventh models respectively to bear the Volkswagen Passat name.

The B6 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005, and launched in Europe in the summer of 2005. The B6 Passat no longer shared its platform with Audi's equivalent model (the Audi A4), and is instead based on a long-wheelbase version of the platform used by the fifth-generation Golf (called Rabbit in the United States & Canada), and its sedan/saloon equivalent, the fifth-generation Volkswagen Jetta, and therefore seeing a return to a transverse engine compared with the longitundinal layout of its predecessor. Confusingly, although this model is referred to as the "B6" (or "Typ 3C") Passat, it has minimal commonality with the "B6" (Typ 8E) Audi A4, which was based on its own unique platform when it was launched in 2001.

Volkswagen Passat (B6) sedan, Australia

Volkswagen Passat (B6) 2.0 TDI wagon, Australia

Interior (B6)

On the four-wheel drive version, called 4motion, the transverse-engine platform dictated a switch from the Torsen centre differential of the B5, to the Haldex Traction multi-plate clutch. The change to the Haldex system also changes the handling closer to a front-wheel drive car, with better fuel economy claimed. Compared to the Torsen, the Haldex can direct torque more unequally to the front wheels (from 100:0 to 50:50 front-to-rear bias), thus providing a wider bias range than the 75:25 to 25:75 of 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 a maximum of 50% of the torque can be transmitted to the rear axle. See the Audi-related quattro (four wheel drive system) article for more information.

Fuel Stratified Injection is used in nearly every petrol engined version of the Passat, ranging from 1.6 to 3.6 litres (the 1.6 litre DOHC can reach 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 11.5 seconds, and 200 km/h (124.3 mph) for manual transmission versions), but the multi-valve 2.0 litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) I4 diesel is the most sought after version in Europe (available in both 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) variants). In the U.S. market, a 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) 2.0 litre turbocharged I4 is the base engine, or a 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) 3.6 litre VR6 engine as the upgrade, with six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0 T model) and automatic transmissions. As of the 2009 model year, the VR6 engine and 4motion option were no longer available in the US on the Passat sedan and wagon, but are available on the Passat CC.^[3]

In China, the PQ46 Passat was released by FAW-Volkswagen (FAW-VWVolkswagen Group China subsidiary FAW-Volkswagen (FAW-VW) as the Magotan, after Volkswagen's other joint venture in China, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive(SVW) had decided to continue using the B5 platform for the Passat and the Passat Lingyu (long-wheelbase Passat).^[4] Since August 2010 the wagon version of Passat B6 will be offered in China, which is a fully imported model. But this car is simply called Volkswagen Variant in China, in order not to refer the name "Passat" or "Magotan".

Passat Estate TSI EcoFuel concept (2008)

It is a concept vehicle capable of using natural gas or conventional petrol fuel. It includes a 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS engine featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger operating sequentially, 22 kg capacity natural gas tank mounted beneath the boot floor and 31-litre petrol tank.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Production version went on sale at the end of 2008 in mainland Europe, for saloon and estate versions of the Passat.^[5]

Passat R36

Passat R36 sedan (Australia)

Passat R36 sedan (Australia)

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, Volkswagen launched the 'R line' R36, created by Volkswagen Individual GmbH.

The R36 uses a 3.6 litre VR6 engine rated 300 PS (221 kW; 296 bhp) and 350 newton metres (258 lbf·ft) of torque, which pushes the saloon and Variant (estate/wagon) to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.6 and 5.8 seconds respectively. The name "R36" is derived from the engine displacement, 3.6-litres.

The R36 has many distinguishing features over the other Passat siblings, such as a redesigned front and rear spoilers,4 wheel drive, Dsg gearbox with paddleshift on the steering wheel which is flat bottomed, 18" Omanyt aluminium alloy wheels, 20 mm (0.8 in) lowered suspension 20mm, 'R' engraved stainless steel pedals, Recaro seats with R36 logo, heated front and rear, Bi-Xenon headlights with cornering function, and twin rear muffler tailpipes.

In July 2008, Volkswagen launched the R36 version in the Middle East.^[6]

Passat CC

The CC ("Comfort Coupé")^[7] is a 4-door "coupé" version of the Passat. It debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Originally aimed at competing with the similarly styled Mercedes CLS, the Passat CC intends to be more stylish and luxurious than the previously released Passat B6. In the U.S., the name "Passat" was dropped, and the car is being sold as "CC".^[8] Some options specific to the CC include hands-free parking, lane-departure prevention, intelligent cruise control, and adaptive suspension. Engines offered in the CC mirror those of the regular Passat, with options of the base 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder, or the optional 3.6 liter V-6, which includes 4-motion all wheel drive. Although the CC is marketed as a more luxurious Passat B6, it comes in with a lower price tag. While the MSRP of a Passat B6 is $29,300, the CC comes with a base price of $27,100.

The Chinese-made CC was released by FAW-VW on July 15, 2010. Two engine options are provided: 1.8T and 2.0T.^[9]

As in North America, the Passat CC will from the 2012 facelift drop the Passat name in Europe and be called Volkswagen CC.^[10][11]

2010 facelift (Passat B7)

Facelift Volkswagen Passat 118TSI wagon (Australia)

Facelift Volkswagen Passat 118TSI wagon (Australia)

Facelift Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI Highline (Europe)

The B6 Passat was facelifted by Klaus Bischoff and Walter de Silva, and was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2010. Although designated "B7", the car is not an all-new model. The facelift resulted in new external body panels except for the roof and glasshouse, with the prominent changes to the grille and headlights. Overall height and width dimensions are unchanged from the B6 Passat, while length increases by 4 mm. New features include a fatigue detection system and an automatic "city emergency braking" system.^[12] It arrived at dealerships in December 2010.

The interior featured minor detail changes from the B6, although the basic dashboard design remain unchanged.

In India, the B6 version is supposed to be replaced with B7 version. Also the FAW-VW-built Magotan will also be replaced by a long-wheelbase version of the Passat B7. The new model will be exclusive to the Indian market, and at least 100 mm longer than the European B7. The Indian market is also likely to get the B7 which appears to be only a facelift of B6 and not a new platform.^[13]

In China, the FAW-VW-built Magotan will also be replaced by a long-wheelbase version of the Passat B7. The new model will be exclusive to the Chinese market, and at least 100 mm longer than the European B7.^[14] Engines available for Magotan B7L are ranging from 1.4T, 1.8T to 2.0T, a special-developed EA390 3.0L VR6 FSI engine is opted for the top model.

In Malaysia, DRB-HICOM debut the locally assembled Passat B7 with much similar to the European. The Malaysian model does not have sunroof and auto-folding wing mirror which was came as standard in the imported blend. No other engine variance was available than the 1.8T but pricing had been significantly reduced by 10% than the imported ones.

Passat Alltrack

Volkswagen Alltrack concept at NYIAS 2012

Volkswagen Alltrack (China)

In October 2010 Volkswagen presented at the 2010 Tokyo Motor Show the Passat Alltrack. The Passat Alltrack bridges the gap between the passenger VW range and the SUV range comprising the Tiguan and Touareg.

The Passat Alltrack has raised ground clearance from 135 to 165 mm which improves approach angle from 13.5 to 16 degrees, departure angle from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees and ramp angle from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees when compared to the standard Passat wagon. Passat Alltrack is the only VW in the passenger range to offer 4Motion with off road driving programme, the off road system works in conjunction with the ABS, electronic differential lock (EDL), DSG & hill descent assist system to control the vehicle in an off road expedition.

The engine range of the Passat Alltrack consists of two 2.0L TDI with outputs of 103 kW/140 hp & 125 kW/170 hp and two petrol engines, 1.8L producing 118 kW/160 hp and 2.0L TSI producing 155 kW/207 hp. The TDI models come standard with BlueMotion Technology packages with Stop/Start system and battery regeneration mode for recovering braking energy. The two lesser powered engine variants 2.0L TDI and 1.8L TSI are only available in front wheel drive format with a manual 6 speed transmission. The rest of the range with 4Motion has a 6 speed DSG automated manual transmission, except the 2.0L TDI with 103 kW/140 hp has an option of 6 speed manual.

In 2012 at the New York Auto Show, VW showed a Passat Alltrack with 2.0L TDI 125 kW/170 hp under Alltrack Concept nameplate to gauge response for a future market in the offroad wagon segment.

Engines

In February 2008, the 2.0 FSI was replaced with the new Audi-developed 1.8 TSI engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.8 TSI is rated at 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp), 250 newton metres (184 lbf·ft) and reaches 0–100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour (136.7 mph). This engine is part of the wider Volkswagen Group policy for engine sharing.

As at August 2008, the cars were advertised in the UK as Euro 4 emission class.^[18] By July 2009, this had changed to Euro 5 class.^[19] This coinicides with the introduction of the EA189 engine family at the centre of the VW emissions violation situation that became public in September 2015.

The Passat B7 range features several petrol and diesel engines, all to Euro 5 standards. All diesel engines feature BlueMotion Technology and Diesel Particulate Filter as standard. The BlueTDI engine is fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction system which makes it ready for Euro 6 standards.

Awards

The Passat Estate won overall winner of Practical Caravans Towcar of the Year Awards 2008 for its array of towing features such as its Trailer Stability Programme. A diesel Passat set a record distance of 1626.1 miles (2,617 kilometers) on one tank of fuel in 2012.^[20]

Malaysian Assembly by DRB-Hicom

On December 21, 2010 an agreement to assemble Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia was signed between DRB-Hicom and Volkswagen AG, which followed the MOU signed by both parties in August of that year aimed at investigating the possibility of local vehicle production. The first locally assembled VW model to be rolled out from DRB-Hicom's Pekan plant in Pahang state, Malaysia, was the Volkswagen Passat in 2012.^[21]

References