New V6 Engine Premiers in Passat

By Motoring Channel Staff - 4/8/2005

Volkswagen chose the Meadow Brook Concours d’ Elegance motoring event in the United States to unveil its neatly packaged but powerful new V6.

Volkswagen says the all-new 206kW (280 horsepower) 2006 Passat 3.6L will arrive at U.S. dealerships in early October - roughly two months from the time this article goes to print.

The 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine marks the return of VW’s narrow-angle 6-cylinder powerplant – with a significant growth in displacement and power – to the Passat model line up (this historic engine is known as the VR6).

This new Passat will be among the most powerful front-drive, family midsize cars ever offered, with the refinement, safety and speed of a true Autobahn bred sedan.

The V6 offers a nearly class-leading power-to-weight ratio that allows this family hauler to propel from 0-96km/h (0-60mph) in 6.6 seconds, and is expected to feature in most international markets where the Passat is offered, including Australia.

Prior to the launch of this new top-of-the-line V6 in October, Volkswagen will bring the 2006 new Passat model to the U.S. market beginning this month. This all-new sedan will represent the most sophisticated and affordable German-built family midsize car on the market today, with the starting price at less than $US23,000 ($A30,000).

In addition to the new 3.6-litre narrow angle V6 engine, VW has upgraded the base model engine to the new 4-cylinder engine called the 2.0T.

This 2.0-litre uses a turbocharger and an intercooler for cool, higher-density intake air and the 2.0T’s high-end breathing is further enhanced by its 4-valves per cylinder.

The engine’s overall efficiency begins with an advanced direct-injection fuel delivery system that culminates in 147kW (200hp) @ 5100 revolutions per minute, and 280Nm of torque from 1800rpm, the same engine already in use in a number of Audi and VW products, including the Golf GTI.

The 2.0T Passat will launch first in the States, followed by the new 6-cylinder model. With the Passat’s return to a transverse engine mount, Volkswagen will re-introduce its new narrow-angle V6, with a cylinder bank “V” angle of just 10.6°.

This advanced V6 engine has higher-displacement than the Volkswagen V6's before it, and benefits from 4-valves per cylinder and variable valve timing. This culminates in impressive engine outputs: 206kW (280hp) @ 6200rpm and 360Nm of torque @ 2750rpm.

Standard equipment for the new V6 model will be Volkswagen's 6-speed automotive transmission with Tiptronic and sport mode selection (no plans for a manual at this stage).

Later in the model year, Volkswagen will once again offer the Passat in a wagon version as well. Both the sedan and its variant will offer a 4Motion (all-wheel-drive) version later in the 2006 model year.

Models will therefore include in both body styles a Passat “Value Edition” 2.0T; a Passat 2.0T; a Passat 3.6L and soon a 3.6L 4Motion.

The launch of the new Passat in the U.S. is no small event. When it arrived on North America’s shores back in 1997, the contemporary Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon essentially started the transformation of the common family sized car market. The Passat proved that the inevitable midsize car could actually invigorate drivers and passengers alike. It not only offered utility, value, safety and room but also dynamic European styling, innovative technology and a “real” German-bred driving experience.

Fortunately, just as more and more automakers play follow-the-leader and begin perfecting their cloning, Volkswagen’s designers have breathed new passion and power into the look, ambience and spatial presence of an all-new 2006 Passat.

As one expects of Volkswagens, the new Passat embodies the German engineering mandate of building ever higher and higher levels of advanced occupant protection with each new generation of car. The previous Passat was proven to be among the safest vehicles on the roads of America, regardless of vehicle class or weight.

Another major technical advancement in the new Passat is a standard electro-mechanical power steering system that can help assist with straight-ahead driving adjustments when necessary, providing the added capability of active-return steering and straight-ahead driving correction assistance. An example of this could be freeway driving through strong crosswinds, where the steering system adjusts accordingly so you don't have to constantly fight the crosswind.

All Passats come standard with an Electronic Stabilization Program — an active safety item that is being recognised through independent research to be an increasing vital safety features — Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Locking (EDL).