VW gives Passat gets more power for 2002

For VW, making cars involved more than top speed and fast gear changes - until now.

The new Passat, to hit Australian shores next year, has seen a number of changes, the most notable a very innovative engine configuration.

They are calling the 2002 Passat's new powerplant a W8, as opposed to a V8, for instance. This new engine is the most powerful in any Volkswagen at present, and boosts the marque into the the premium range of mid-sized cars.

This brand new 4.0-litre, eight-cylinder block brings the new Passat to life, using the aforementioned W config. This is, essentially, two V4s running in tandem, positioned at a very narrow angle within the engine block.

This would make for an interesting torque and power curve, particularly so, considering the car takes advantage of variable valve intake and exhaust valve timing.

All this adds up to an impressive 202kW (275 bhp) at 6000rpm and 370Nm of torque at 2750rpm. There are now two sets of dual exhaust pipes to cope with the extra displacement and the tone of the new car is much more pleasing.

With 32 valves (four per cylinder) and a six-speed manual gearbox (auto and tip-tronic optional) the new Passat is capable of 250km/h. It can accelerate to 100km/h in just 6.2 seconds - not bad for a car in the image-conscious luxury market.

Talking about the revolutionary engine design, Dr. Karl-Heinz Neumann, head of engine development at Volkswagen said: "Well before development of the Passat W8 models was underway, Volkswagen had made a clear decision that it would not only tackle this segment with exceptionally powerful and comfortable low-emission engines, a further declared aim was to bring out a new class of vehicle with a maximum level of active safety.

"It was therefore decided that our saloon and estate customers in the W8 class would all have the benefit of permanent four-wheel drive.

"This uncompromising decision, with which the Passat W8 marks the start of a high-tech product offensive, will have a lasting impact on technology standards within the luxury class."

It is also one of the first eight-cylinder cars to incorporate an 4WD drive-train. Called 4MOTION, this new system ensures that the Passat sticks to the road. The 4MOTION system makes use of an automatic locking Torsen central differential with four EDLs (electronic differential locks) and the safety package is completed with a traction control system and an electronic stability program.

The base model Passat will be fitted out with all sorts of pleasing interior features, such as roof pillar trim, chrome and wood paneling, a leather-material seat upholstery, onboard computer, climate control and even an antitheft alarm system.

Front and rear curtain airbags are standard on all models and optional extras include extra-dark tinting, high-grade sports seats, navigation system with audio and TV unit and even a digital sound package, which we assume will be MP3-based.

From the outside, the car looks quite different from the previous model, but in actuality, not a lot has changed. New, wider profile 17" alloy wheels have been fitted to cope with the extra ponies and the headlight configuration is much more pleasing. The new Volkswagen is taking on the big boys, namely BMW with the 540i and Mercedes with its E430, though the Passat is likely to be substantially cheaper. It has a good chance, too. If the car goes as fast as they claim, and as quietly, Volkswagen may have what it takes to capture a chunk of the very lucrative mid-sized presitge/luxury market.

As of going to press, no Australian price has been released. The car will be available as a saloon or an estate (aka sedan or station-wagon).