Volkswagen Passat (B3)

Last updated
Volkswagen Passat (B3)
Volkswagen Passat sedan B3.jpg
Overview
Also calledVolkswagen Passat B3
Production1988–1993
Assembly
Designer Herbert Schäfer
Body and chassis
Class
Body style
Layout Transverse front engine, with front-wheel or four-wheel drive (syncro)
Platform Volkswagen Group B3
Powertrain
Engine Petrol engines:

1.6 L I4 53 kW (72 PS; 71 bhp)
1.8 L I4 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp)
1.8 L I4 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp)
1.8 L I4 72 kW (98 PS; 97 bhp)
1.8 L I4 102 kW (139 PS; 137 bhp) 16v
1.8 L I4 118 kW (160 PS; 158 bhp) G60
2.0 L I4 85 kW (116 PS; 114 bhp)
2.0 L I4 100 kW (136 PS; 134 bhp) 16v
2.8 L VR6 128 kW (174 PS; 172 bhp)
Diesel engines:
1.6 L I4 59 kW (80 PS; 79 bhp) Turbo Diesel
1.9 L I4 50 kW (68 PS; 67 bhp)

Contents

1.9 L I4 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp) Turbo Diesel
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • Front-wheel drive: 2,625 mm (103.3 in)
  • Syncro (four-wheel drive): 2,630 mm (103.5 in)
Length4,575 mm (180.1 in)
Width1,705 mm (67.1 in)
Height1,430–1,500 mm (56.3–59.1 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Volkswagen Passat (B2)
Successor Volkswagen Passat (B4)
VW Passat B3 rear 20071205.jpg
Sedan Rear
VW Passat B3 Variant rear 20080215.jpg
Wagon Rear
Passat 35i B3 - Cockpit.jpg
Interior

The third-generation Volkswagen Passat, known as Volkswagen Passat B3 or Volkswagen Passat 35i, was introduced in March 1988 in Europe, 1989 in North America, and 1995 in South America; it was also briefly available in Australia in 1991, when a total of 14 Passat GL 16V in sedan and wagon versions were sold by then importer TKM. [2] Unlike the previous two generations of the Passat, the B3 was not available as a fastback - only 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon versions were available, setting the precedent for the model for all subsequent generations to date. Its curvy looks were a contrast from the boxy appearance of its predecessor and owed much to the "jelly mould" style pioneered by Ford with the Sierra and Taurus. The lack of a grille, utilizing the bottom breather approach, made the car's front end styling reminiscent of older, rear-engined Volkswagens such as the 411, and also doubled as a modern styling trend. The styling was developed from the 1981 aerodynamic (cd  = 0.25) Auto 2000 concept car. [3] [4] [5]

At the time it was the first Passat to be built on a Volkswagen-designed platform, rather than sharing one with an Audi saloon. The Passat B3 was designed by Volkswagen's design chief, Herbert Schäfer and, unlike equivalent Audi models, now featured a space-saving transversely mounted engine (a configuration from which future Passat models would retreat in 1996). A couple of weeks ahead of launch, press reports appeared that the forthcoming new Passat was known within the company as the first "true Hahn model" ("erster echter Hahn"), even though Carl Hahn junior had by this time already been the Volkswagen Group's chairman since 1982. The message, reflecting management priorities at the time, was that whereas recent new models from Volkswagen had unapologetically appeared to be rebadged and mildly rebodied Audis, with this model Volkswagen under Hahn now had the confidence to reassert a more distinctive identity for its cars, differentiating the Audi and Volkswagen brands more persuasively from one another in the process. [6]

The car, although designated B3 in Volkswagen's platform nomenclature, was based largely on the A platform as used for the smaller Golf Mk2 model, but was stretched in all directions. Many components are shared directly between these vehicles. It was marketed under the Passat name in all markets; in North America, this was a first.

The fuel injected petrol engines gave better performance and refinement than the previously used carbureted units. They were mounted transversely, and the floorpan was engineered to accept Volkswagen's "Syncro" four-wheel drive system. Engine options were the 2.0-litre 16-valve engine (for North America only in the GL model), 1.8-litre eight-valve and 16-valve engines (not available in North America; all CLs, GLs, and GLSs had the 2.0 16v), Volkswagen's new 2.8-litre VR6 engine (also used in the Golf and Corrado) in the GL/GT (Europe) and GLX/GLS (North America) models (introduced in 1991 in Europe and 1992 in North America), and the G60 engine (only available on the Syncro model in Canada for the North American market). The VR6 engine gave the top-of-the-range Passat a top speed of 224 km/h (139 mph). The 1.6-litre (not available in North America) and 1.9-litre (available only in Canada and Europe) diesel engines were also available as an option.

As somewhat rare features for the time, the B3 Passat was optionally offered with rear self-levelling air suspension, [7] [8] and electronically regulated air conditioning (called "Climatronic"). [9] [10] These two options were available only in Europe.

Technical Data

ModelProduction periodEngine TypeValve controlFuel mixture

formation

Forced Induction Engine CodeDisplacement. Bore x StrokeC.R.max. Powermax. TorqueDriveGearboxTop Speed0-100kph
1.602/1988–07/1989Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Toothed-Belt, Bucket-tappets.Carburetor-RF [M 1] 1595 cm³, 81.0 × 77.4 mm9.0 :153 kW (72 PS) @5200/min120 Nm@ 2700/minFWD4M, 5M161–169 km/h16.3–16.6 s
02/1988–07/1990Mono-Jetronic1F125 Nm@ 2750/min4M, 5M
02/1988–09/1993CarburetorEZ, ABN [M 1] 55 kW (75 PS) @ 5200/min125 Nm@ 2600/min4M, 5M165–171 km/h15.7–16.0 s
1.808/1990–09/1993Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Toothed-Belt, Bucket-tappets.Mono-Motronic-AAM1781 cm³, 81.0 × 86.4 mm9.0:155 kW (75 PS) @5000/min140 Nm@2500/minFWD5M165–171 km/h15.5–15.8 s
02/1988–06/1990Mono-JetronicRP66 kW (90 PS) @ 5250/min142 Nm@ 3000/min5M, 4A170–177 km/h13.9–14.2 s
07/1990–07/1991Mono-Motronic66 kW (90 PS) @ 5400/min142 Nm@ 2600/min5M, 4A
08/1991–09/1993Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Toothed-Belt, Bucket-tappets.Mono-Motronic-ABS1781 cm³, 81.0 × 86.4 mm10.0 : 166 kW (90 PS) @ 5500/min145 Nm@ 2500/minFWD5M, 4A170–177 km/h13.9–16.4 s
02/1988–07/1990 Digifant PF79 kW (107 PS) @ 5400/min154 Nm@ 3800/min5M, 4A184–190 km/h12.3–13.4 s
PB [M 1] 82 kW (112 PS) @ 5400/min159 Nm@ 4000/min5M, 4A188–192 km/h11.8–12.9 s
1.8 16v07/1988–09/1993Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledDOHC, timing belt, 4 valves per cylinderK-Jetronic-KR [M 1] 1781 cm³, 81.0 × 86.4 mm10.0 : 1100 kW(136 PS)@ 6300/min162 Nm@ 4800/minFWD5M199–206 km/h10.4–10.6 s
2.010/1989–09/1993Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Toothed-Belt, Bucket-tappets.Digifant-2E1984 cm³, 82.5 × 92.8 mm10.0 : 185 kW(115 PS) [M 2] @ 5400/min166 Nm [M 2] @ 3200/minFWD, AWD5M, 4A185–195 km/h11.3–12.9 s
2.0 16v07/1988–09/1993Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledDOHC, timing belt, 4 valves per cylinderKE-Motronic-9A1984 cm³, 82.5 × 92.8 mm10.8 : 1100 kW(136 PS)@ 5800/min180 Nm@ 4400/minFWD5M, 4A197–206 km/h10.2–11.0 s
1.8 G6009/1989–09/1993Inline-4, Petrol, Water-CooledSOHC, toothed-belt, 2 valves per cylinderDigifant G-lader superchargerPG1781 cm³, 81.0 × 86.4 mm8:0 : 1118 kW(160 PS)@5600/min225 Nm@ 3800/minAWD5M210–215 km/h9.6–9.8 s
2.8 VR604/1991–09/1993VR6, Petrol, Water-CooledTwin OHC, timing chain, 2 valves per cylinderMotronic-AAA2792 cm³, 81.0 × 90.3 mm10.0 : 1128 kW(174 PS)@ 5800/min235 Nm [M 3] @ 4200/minFWD5M, 4A214–220 km/h8.2–8.3 s
1.6 TD08/1988–07/1989Inline-4, Diesel, Water-CooledSOHC, toothed-belt, 2 valves per cylinderSwirl chamber injection Garrett turbocharger, intercooledRA1588 cm³, 76.5 × 86.4 mm23.0 : 159 kW(80 PS)@ 4500/min155 Nm@ 2500–3000/minFWD5M164–170 km/h16.0–16.2 s
08/1989–09/1993SB152 Nm@ 2300–2800/minFWD5M
1.9 D05/1989–09/1993Inline-4, Diesel, Water-CooledSOHC, toothed-belt, 2 valves per cylinderSwirl chamber injection-1Y1896 cm³, 79.5 × 95.5 mm23.0 : 150 kW(68 PS)@ 4400/min127 Nm@ 2200–2600/minFWD5M155–160 km/h19.0–19.4 s
1.9 TD04/1991–09/1993 Garrett turbochargerAAZ22.5 : 155 kW(75 PS)@ 4400/min140 Nm@ 2200–2800/minFWD5M160–165 km/h17.7–18.0 s
  1. 1 2 3 4 No Catalytic Converter
  2. 1 2 For the Syncro(AWD) with right-hand drive: 82 kW (112 hp), 162 Nm
  3. When using Super Plus 98 RON fuel: 240 Nm

See also

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References

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