Is the Volkswagon Passat W8 a V8 car?
The W8’s engine is the model’s best attempt to make a case for itself. As a passing Passatophile told his son, “Look! That one’s like ours with a V8!” Actually, no. Think of the W8’s powerplant as two V4’s sharing the same crankshaft.
How much does a Volkswagen Passat sport cost?
Your hi-spec mass-market machine will cost less than a bare bones prestige model. Case in point: the Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion Sport. For £34,070, you get all the goodies above (including an eight-cylinder engine) for two hundred quid more than a no-spec six-cylinder BMW 530i Sport.
What kind of gearbox does a Volkswagen Passat W8 have?
A six-speed manual gearbox was fitted as standard, although the majority of the cars that made it to the UK featured a five-speed auto, a box of decidedly patchy talents. This long-legged box responds smoothly when part throttle is used, but kicks down way too slowly and is geared very high, negating the benefits of the W8’s power.
What’s the top speed of a Volkswagen Passat?
Top speed is quoted at 155mph, though such is the wanton muscularity of the W8 when approaching this speed that it would doubtless sail right on by were it not for the soft intervention of an electronic limiter.
What was the problem with the VW Passat?
But the first signs of trouble appeared in 2004 when, following years of underwhelming sales, the W8 Passat bit the dust. Though criticized for its uninspired performance relative to its rivals, the Passat W8 had a far more significant flaw: Its complexity made it nightmarishly expensive to maintain.
Is the VW Passat a mass market car?
The W8 Passat is then an unwanted halo product from a mass-market brand. The normal customer wouldn’t pay a big premium for a Whooper made with the finest beef in the world. While those who could afford such delicacy probably wouldn’t be anywhere near the doors of a Burger King.