Passat: New 275 bhp 4.0-Litre W8 And 130 bhp 2.0-Litre Engines

Powered by a 4.0-litre, eight cylinder, 275 bhp engine, the W8 moves the Passat into a new market sector.

Positioned at the top of the upper medium class, the Passat W8 forms a bridge into the luxury sector to both the Phaeton and Touareg. The W8 is likely to appeal to buyers looking for high performance, refinement and quality in a subtle and affordable package.

The W8 engine produces 275 bhp at 6,000 rpm from its 3,999 cc engine, and a huge 273 lbs ft (370 Nm) of torque at just 2,750 rpm. On the road this translates into a 0-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed (limited) of 155 mph, while such high torque and eight cylinders mean effortless and flexible performance.

In terms of specification, all Passat W8 models feature 4MOTION permanent four wheel drive and ESP, as well as six airbags (twin front and side plus curtain airbag system) and bi-Xenon gas discharge headlights. This, along with full Nappa leather upholstery, burr walnut inserts and chrome trim, comes on top of the standard Passat V6 spec which includes Climatronic air conditioning, six-disc CD autochanger, rain sensor and automatic dimming mirror and metallic or pearl effect paint.

The W8 isn’t the only engine to have been added to the Passat range recently – the entry-level 2.0-litre eight-valve engine has been replaced by a new 130 bhp 20-valve engine of the same capacity at no extra cost to the customer.

Not only are power and torque both increased by almost 15 per cent, with resulting benefits in the 0-62 mph time and top speed, but fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are also reduced. For the saloon, CO2 emissions are down from 206 to 194 g/km; this means the new car secures a company car tax liability of 20 per cent, compared with 23 per cent for the old model.

The new four cylinder unit, with five valves per cylinder, features a two-stage variable intake system for high torque at low engine speeds and high power at high speeds; continuous adjustment of the intake camshaft timing for optimum charging; and a balancer shaft to enhance refinement.

This new 2.0-litre engine is available now in saloon and estate models with a five speed manual gearbox.

Technical Specification – Passat Saloon 130 bhp vs 115 bhp

• 130 bhp 20v 115 bhp 8v
• Cubic capacity – litres/cc 2.0 / 1984 2.0 / 1984
• Output – bhp/rpm 130 / 5700 115 / 5400
• Max torque – lbs ft/rpm 144 / 3300 127 / 3500
• Gearbox 5 spd manual 5 spd manual
• Top speed – mph 130 124
• 0-62 mph – secs 9.9 11.2
• Economy – mpg urban 24.6 23.3
• extra urban 47.1 42.8
• combined 34.9 32.8
• CO2 – g/km 194 206
• On the road price – - (S spec) 14,850 14,695