Volkswagen Passat. Wind of change
The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size D-class car from the German automotive group that has been in production since 1973. One of the most popular models of German VAG group. Today, there are already 8 generations of this ‘long-living’ car in the market. The latest facelifted version of 2019, was available on the Israeli market.
The name ‘Passat’ comes from the similar wind that blows between the tropics all year round, and its roots go back to the Spanish phrase ‘viento de pasada’. It means ‘wind, favorable for moving, movement.’ Also, VW Golf was named not after the game, but after the Gulf Stream.
First generation
The first generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 1973 to 1981. First, there were sedans, and only then station wagons and hatchbacks. The first Passat was a real breakthrough for its time and the first representative of a new era of front-wheel drive cars from Volkswagen. Designed by the famous Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro, the first Passat had a body in the shape of a modern fastback. Due to the technical equipment, the Passat 1 became one of the most modern cars of that time. In North America, the car was sold under the name Volkswagen Dasher.
Second generation
The second generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 1980 to 1988. The second Passat became a little longer, the design was facelifted, and rectangular headlights appeared. By this time, front-wheel drive and a hatchback body were commonplace for the Passat. In addition to hatchbacks and station wagons, there was also a classic sedan, which was sold in Europe until 1985 as the Volkswagen Santana, and in the United States as the Volkswagen Quantum. In the second generation of Passat, the all-wheel drive version of Syncro became available. In 1985, all versions received a facelift, the 3-door hatchback was canceled, and VW Santana in Europe was renamed. Now it was VW Passat. By that time, the global production of Passat was about 4.5 million.
Third generation
The third generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 1988 to 1993. The third Passat was the first cross-engine car built on Volkswagen’s own platform, which had nothing to do with the previous one borrowed from Audi. The VW Golf was also built on the same platform. A distinctive feature of the VW Passat 3 is the absence of a grille – a fashionable trend of that time. The Passat 3 could now be either a sedan or a 5-door station wagon. And its name finally became the same for all markets – Passat. Plus there are a variety of options and some modifications with powerful engines.
Fourth generation
The fourth generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 1993 to 1997. The fourth Passat was the product of a deep facelift of the third generation. The Passat 4 had the same body, roof, and glazing, but with new exterior body panels and a redesigned interior. In total, about 690,000 cars were produced, and 60% were station wagons.
The name ‘Passat’ comes from the wind of the same name that blows between the tropics all year round, and its name goes back to the Spanish phrase ‘viento de pasada’, meaning ‘wind, favorable for moving or travel.’
Fifth generation
The fifth generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 1996 to 2005. It was facelifted in 2000. The fifth Passat was again unified with Audi’s A4 and A6 models of the same type. This allowed the use of more powerful and modern Audi longitudinal engine. Then that interesting model known as Volkswagen Passat B5.5 or Passat B5 + appeared. German concern tested its W-shaped 8-cylinder engine on it. It served as the basis for the W12 engine (VW Phaeton, VW Touareg, Audi A8) and engine W16 (Bugatti Veyron). The long-wheelbase version of Passat B5.5 was made not with VW, but with the Skoda logo, and became known all over the world as the Skoda Superb.
Sixth generation
The sixth generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 2005 to 2010. The sixth Passat no longer had the same platform as the equivalent Audi A4 model. Based on a modified version of the 5th generation of PQ46 Golf platform, the Passat 6 reverts back to the transverse engine layout of the 3rd and 4th generations. It was tested in 2010 in the Euro NCAP crash test; the sixth Volkswagen Passat received 5 stars out of 5 for safety. In 2008, a 4-door coupe was released, first called the Passat CC, meaning ‘Comfort Coupe,’ and then renamed simply the Volkswagen CC.
Seventh generation
The seventh generation of Volkswagen Passat was produced from 2010 to 2014. The seventh Passat was more like a facelift of the previous generation – it had new external body panels (except the roof and glazing), a new grille, and other headlights. Plus, many modern features have been added – adaptive chassis control, dynamic indicator lights without glare, driver fatigue sensor and an emergency brake system.
Eighth generation
The eighth generation of Volkswagen Passat has been produced from 2014 to the present. It went through a facelift in 2019. The eighth Passat is built on Volkswagen’s new MQB platform. It had a wide variety of engines, including diesel and hybrid ones. The Passat 8 is probably the most stylish car of all generations. It is fashionable and aggressive, but it clearly traces the family features. Eighth Passat received an electronic instrument cluster, a pedestrian protection system, a projector on the windshield, and a long list of electronic assistants.
