VW Passat Mk6, 2005 - Present
The latest VW Passat was launched to the world at the Geneva motorshow in March 2005, and sales began later in the year. This most recent model moved away from the previous policy of sharing the Equivalent Audi A4 chassis, and developed its own chassis as an extended wheelbase version of the Mk5 VW Golf, meaning the engine is mounted transversely, giving better packaging to the front wheel drive layout. The Passat is also available in 4 wheel drive, called the 4motion, which uses the simpler 4 wheel drive system seen in the Audi A3 and Golf R32 models, based around the Haldex clutch system.
The Passat Was launched with similar engines to the Mk5 5 version - 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol in line 4 cylinder motors, known as "FSI", and 1.9 and 2.0 TDI 4 cylinder diesel engines. This engine line up was given a refresh in 2008, with the TFSI engines were introduced, with a 1.4 litre turbocharged unit giving 122 bhp, replacing the older 1.6 unit. A 160 bhp version of this 1.4 is also available in the Volkswagen range, which has both a supercharger and a turbo charger, and has been praised for the amount of power and great fuel economy available from such a small capacity engine. 1.8 and 2.0 turbo petrol engines were also introduced, and the old style "Pump Deuse" diesel engines were replaced by a 2.0 TDI Common Rail injection system that allowed the diesel motor to be much smoother, quieter and more efficient. understandably the 2.0 TDI CR engine is now easily the best seller in the Passat Range.
Other new introductions were the DSG gearbox - a twin clutch gearbox that was capable of selecting 2 ratios at the same time - one with each clutch, which allowed almost seamless gearchanges with little or no loss of power, and jerk free. This DSG box has replaced the conventional torque converter style automatic transmission across most of the VW Passat range.
Volkswagen never launched a GTI version of the Passat, as its handling focus favoured refinement and comfort over outright cornering ability, so was never a really enjoyable steer, but in 2008 VW decided to create the Passat R36 - similar in ethos to the Golf R32, with the 3.2 V6 engine enlarged to 3.6 litres, giving approximately 300 horsepower. It also upgraded the suspension, gave it larger alloys and a bodykit. The Passat R36 is seen as a good Q car, as it does not shout about its abilities, but while it has a good level of performance it could not match rivals such as the BMW M3 or Audi RS4 for outright power or handling finesse.
