Talk:Volkswagen Passat

I'm confused. Did VW in Europe market a car named the Passat in the 70s and 80s? In the US, the passat doesn't appear until the early 90s. The VW Quantum and VW Fox pre-date that. The Passat models are usually designated with a letter and number, B3 Passats are circa '90 to '93 (the ones without the front grille). B4 Passats to '97, with the rounded B5 Passats introduced in '98 hard to distinguish from the Audi A4. Also, the technical specs.. what year and model is that for? --ChrisRuvolo 05:34, 22 Jun 2004 (UTC)

the answer is yes and no. quantam was us name for early passat saloon. fox was the us name for an argentinian built vw similar to the jetta. see VW Santana, VW Fox. Passat article needs stuff on this, if it still needs doing when i have time, i'll have a look. vw fox and gacel should be added to {{VW}} akaDruid 13:33, 24 Jun 2004 (UTC)

also a quick google shows the tech data to have been lifted from Ralph Becker's page about his 2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Sedan akaDruid 13:36, 24 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Thanks the the reply and the information. The tech data shouldn't be a copyvio (can't copyright facts), but his customizations and personal experience (tires, tire life, wheels) I don't think are ok to include. Thanks for finding that. I'll edit the specifications. About the models.. which qualify as the B1 and B2 passats? Thanks. --ChrisRuvolo 14:00, 24 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Can't be exactly sure but I imagine the B1 would be 78-87 model, and B2 the 87-93 model. Since the 73-78 model was rebadged Audi 80, I doubt it would follow the same numbering scheme. 14:52, 24 Jun 2004 (UTC)~

User 213.122.31.131

This user just changed the entire article. Doesn't look like a copyvio, but this text should be integrated, not overwritten!

Here it is: VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MK1 (1973-1981)

The first generation VW Passat was sold initially as a large three- and five-door hatchback (and later a five-door estate) which used the same 1.3 and 1.6 petrol engines as the Audi 80 saloon which had been introduced a year earlier. It was one of the most modern family cars in Europe, and was intended as a contemporary rival for the Ford Taunus (Cortina) and Opel Ascona (Vauxhall Cavalier). The Passat was also sold in the U.S.A as the Volkswagen Dasher.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MK2 (1981-1988)

The second generation VW Passat was an all-new car but on its launch in 1981 it was instantly recognisable as a member of the Volkswagen family. The engine range was now more extensive, it included a 2.0 petrol and a 1.8 diesel. As well as the Passat hatchback and estate there was also a saloon, which until the beginning of 1985 was sold as the Santana. Although the Santana nameplate had been abandoned, it remains in use to this day on cars produced at Volkswagen's Shanghai factory in China.

The second generation Passat was a typical Volkswagen, hardly exciting but proving to be a quality alternative to its rivals.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MK3 (1988-1996)

The third generation Passat was a completely new car and its curvy looks were a world away from the boxy appearance of its predecessor. Its fuel injected engines were all-new, and gave better performance and refinement than the carburettor units previously used. But the star of the range was the Passat VR6, which had a 2.8 V6 engine and a top speed of 140mph. This high performance power unit also found its way into the smaller Golf and under the bonnet of the Corrado coupe.

The Passat underwent a mild facelift in 1993 and was now available with improved safety equipment including airbags, but it remained the same basic design as before.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MK4 (1996-present)

The fourth generation Passat was entirely new and aimed as a clearly upmarket rival for the Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra. Power came from entirely new 1.8, 2.0, 2.3 and 2.8 petrol engines as well as 1.9 and 2.5 turbodiesels. All of the engines were smooth, refined and strong performing, and coupled to a good chassis which gave excellent ride comfort. The interior was also luxurious and well-equipped, with a long equipment list which included electric windows, air-conditioning, CD player, electric mirrors, electric sunroof and leather upholstery. The £16,000 starting price in the UK put it £1,000 above the equivlant Ford Mondeo, but the price difference showed when it came to luxury and upmarket feel.

A facelift at the end of 2000 saw the non-turbo 1.8 petrol engine dropped and the exterior styling tweaked, but 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 Volkswagen Passat is now one of the oldest cars in its sector at eight years old, but it is still one of the best. A replacement is likely to appear in the not too distant future.

Passat generations are wrong?

The generations listed in the article are not right at all. Passat owners describe their passats based upon the VW platform specification, such as B3, B4 or B5. See for example [1]. The years are also wrong. My passat is from 1996, and has very little in common with the 1999 models pictured. Perhaps the difference comes from the European models versus the North American models? Any explanations? Thanks. --ChrisRuvolo 00:23, 12 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I suspect that foreign markets get their Passats later than domestic ones—e.g. I think the US is only getting Golf Vs this model year, whereas they have been out for the previous model year in most markets. In such cases, it may be wiser to stick with the case of the domestic market; the same would apply for American cars, e.g. the Chrysler minivans and Ford Taurus were pretty late getting out to Europe, so the US model years should be the "master version" IMO. Stombs 22:08, Jan 12, 2005 (UTC)