2001-2005 VW Passat W8 4motion

[buickgnx88]

You are correct, the sedan does only come with the auto on the V6.

 

[homeforsummer]

I guess you're not familiar with the hot rod Accords and Camrys we get here in the States.

...

So the numbers do support my statement. In fact, my original characterization of the W8 "not being able to outrun" V6 Accords and Camrys was in fact, generous. It would get dusted by them.

And according to the R&T data panel, our W8s were limited to 130 mph. This limit is probably as a result of the H Rated OE all season tires. The Accord and Camry is probably limited to the same speed, for the same reason.

Point taken on the performance figures. But we are just talking about tenths here and there, and you'd have to regularly performance-test lots of different cars to feel any real difference between a Camry that does the 0-60 sprint half a second quicker than the Volkswagen. I'd even wager that many people would feel like the VW was quicker by more subjective measures like how the W8 sounds when you're gunning it.

But I think when VW puts a 8 cylinder motor and a 6-speed manual gearbox into a car, there can be no mistaking their intentions: they want to compete with 540s and E500s, not ES300s and LeSabres.

This is VW we're talking about. They probably did it just because they could, rather than to compete with anybody or anything...

Now, hold on a minute! You just spent two paragraphs arguing those irrelevant comparisons; so which is it?

When posing the question of whether or not a $40,000, 270hp, 8 cylinder, top of the line Passat is exceptional compared to it's competitors, of course performance is relevant. What do you want to compare instead, MPG?

If I recall correctly you brought up the subject of performance. To my knowledge, the VW was as quick or quicker than the two cars you mentioned. All I was doing was asserting my suspicion that this wasn't the case (and you've subsequently proven me wrong). They're all relatively quick cars though ("quick" is relative of course, but circa 6 seconds to 60mph certainly isn't slow), and I personally wouldn't baulk at the performance you can get out of the VW. It's not shabby by any means.

And day to day, you wouldn't be launching it off the line to extract those figures (I've never liked 0-60 as a performance comparison as it doesn't take into account many different factors, like an individual's technique, initial traction and how many gearchanges are between 0mph and 60mph). I'm sure it has more than enough urge in-gear. And to this end, the raw figures still aren't that relevant, in my opinion.

Things are a little different here in the States. German brands are positioned as premium here, even Volkswagen. So they have better standard equipment levels, especially on a mid-range car like the Passat. And even if many of the luxury features are optional, it is rare to see a car without them.

VW is quasi-premium over here, though it sits uneasily with Audis, SEATs and Skodas, all of which overlap at different points. But lower-range VWs, Audis, BMWs and Mercedes are often poorly-equipped compared to some of their other European rivals. To this end, there's quite a jump between a base-model Passat and something as special as the W8. At least over here...

I think being a car enthusiast is not correlated to wanting something unique. Thousands of ricers (chavs to you) out there put the same crappy junk on their cars in a bid to express their 'individuality' but ironically they all end up looking the same.

Agreed, though I'm sure I'm not the only one here who is interested in cars with something a little out of the ordinary about them that differentiate them from the herd, be that engine configuration, limited-production models or even something as simple as paint colour (indeed, our own Scaff has a bright red 3-Series. How many of those do you see? Very few - the "herd" generally go with silver or black).

Let me make it clear that I wouldn't fault someone for wanting something special. So long as what makes the car special is actually worthwhile. So long as the special-ness has intrinsic value outside of it being unique.

In my opinion, it does. I know VWs aren't quite the same in the US thanks to where they're built, but W8 engine aside the regular Passat (even though I'm not a fan of the model) is still a fairly solid, comfortable, reliable method of transport. And it's a VW, which has a bit more cachet than it's competitors.

Being different just to say you're different is... Well, if I were being critical and judgmental, I might say narcissistic or self-obsessed. But I would prefer not to be so hard on people.

Generally, I'd agree with this sentiment. I saw a girl in roughly her mid-twenties walking around town last night swinging a skipping rope about. I'm sure she's doing it to be different or for some obscure fashion reason but essentially it made her look a pillock. When it comes to cars though I'd be tempted to say there's virtue in it even if you're doing it for the sole reason of being different. I admire people who're prepared to think outside the box a little when it comes to cars, like the sort of people who'd rather buy an Alfa Romeo 147 than a Focus just because it's an Alfa and it looks cool, even if it's objectively inferior in so many ways.

 

[Tornado]

This is VW we're talking about. They probably did it just because they could, rather than to compete with anybody or anything...

The Passat W8 (and Phaeton) were developed during Piech's "drag VW kicking and screaming upmarket" phase of control of the company, so it is likely that it was intended to target Beamers and Mercs.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

I personally don't see the appeal in the W8. But then I've never seen a W8 so I suppose that would be part of it. In fact Volkswagens in general never really seem to have caught on with me. The one that has isn't coming to Australia, which is the Scirocco, and that is very unfortunate because it's only minimally more expensive than the Golf and yet it looks absolutely amazing and delivers the same level of handling and power. The W8 to me just seems like a normal Passat with a weird engine configuration that doesn't actually seem to be that fast despite it being an 8-cylinder.

Also I highly doubt a Maxima would be able to outrun a 5-series unless the 5-er was seriously low-spec. Even if the Maxima has the VQ35DE in it, it's not only a watered-down version of it, it's also in a heavier vehicle than the quicker 350Z and Infiniti G35. Not to mention they're incredibly dreary and dull.

 

[YSSMAN]

The W8 to me just seems like a normal Passat with a weird engine configuration that doesn't actually seem to be that fast despite it being an 8-cylinder.

You discovered the secret!

Volkswagen has a knack for knowing what their target audience wants. The W8 singled out the demands of a tiny sliver of the Passat owner market, did exactly what they wanted, and consequently, only sold to that tiny sliver of the Passat owner market. Cars like the R32 did the same thing here in the States. It wasn't substantially faster, better looking, or even cost-competitive with the GTI (in MKIV or MKV form), but it found its niche, and wen't like gangbusters. Same with the Wolfsburg, 337, K2, Trek, etc versions of all their cars previously.

VW fans will buy them in droves, regardless of what everyone else thinks. M is right when he says that being "different" doesn't make it "good," but brand loyalty almost negates it entirely.

 

[Casio]

Generally, I'd agree with this sentiment. I saw a girl in roughly her mid-twenties walking around town last night swinging a skipping rope about. I'm sure she's doing it to be different or for some obscure fashion reason but essentially it made her look a pillock. When it comes to cars though I'd be tempted to say there's virtue in it even if you're doing it for the sole reason of being different. I admire people who're prepared to think outside the box a little when it comes to cars, like the sort of people who'd rather buy an Alfa Romeo 147 than a Focus just because it's an Alfa and it looks cool, even if it's objectively inferior in so many ways.

Just like Saab owners. We buy cars that are different and that we know are going to fail in all sorts of ways, going to cost us a fortune to fix, have weird features which don't make sense to anyone but Saab owners, rather than buying Honda Accords because we can.

 

[homeforsummer]

Just like Saab owners. We buy cars that are different and that we know are going to fail in all sorts of ways, going to cost us a fortune to fix, have weird features which don't make sense to anyone but Saab owners, rather than buying Honda Accords because we can.

I was actually going to use Saabs as an example but I felt it was almost too much of a cliché Admittedly though as a family we're moving away from Saabs again as we've had too many problems with them, which is a shame.

 

[Christhedude]

Ah, that could be it, my mistake. Regardless, they don't look dissimilar. The Maxima may not be a taxi then but it looks like one...

no problem just thought i'd straighten that out even though i own an Altima and i am really happy with it for Dubai standards.

Chris

 

[Dumuzi]

You guys ever hear a car can't be measured on paper?
The car is a unicorn and it's roller skating in swimwear sipping an icee; that cool.
And if you don't believe me, I'm the one taking the engine out, replacing the clutch and timing chain (both at the back of the engine), and completing a rebuild of the front suspension. I have an original Titan too, so don't think it's absolutely impossible.
The essence of it really, is that during your shifting, you ease the power up so it just barely builds in the Rev range, but then you let it crescendo at around 3300 rpm, then let down for the change up.
The chassis knocks you forward on the forced engagement of the decelerating engine with the clutched in higher gear, and you say "ooohooo..ly Badass. That hit the spot." Like the afterburners just went lit. But there's so much more there. The forte of straight pipes brapping with the moonsoon radio feeding you hits and heat the smell of which is the hardest thing to describe all account for a synthesis of experience which cross-contaminated your senses like a cook wiping the fries with steak grease. It's a package, and it's very good. The heat has its own incense. It papers your mind. The facts are, it admittedly needs suspension to really make the flagship Enterprise come to fruition. But someone thought of that. Mine has low profile tires, oversized BBS wheels of which there are a couple sets anywhere because they're factory W8 reproductions, and the cat-back tip hangers are cross welded to join at the center behind the differential. It's a lot like having - in the words of Hammond - a"massive tail."

 

[UltimateYosh]

Why did you bump a decade-old thread to post your Volkswagen fanfiction?

 

[TexRex]

Why did you bump a decade-old thread to post your Volkswagen fanfiction?

Right? And not even include a wildly inappropriate, semi-incestuous sexual relationship with an Audi A6? I mean, come on...

*awkward silence*

Oh. I'm the only one disappointed by that being left out? I guess I'll be leaving then.

 

[GranTurNismo]

You guys ever hear a car can't be measured on paper?
The car is a unicorn and it's roller skating in swimwear sipping an icee; that cool.
And if you don't believe me, I'm the one taking the engine out, replacing the clutch and timing chain (both at the back of the engine), and completing a rebuild of the front suspension. I have an original Titan too, so don't think it's absolutely impossible.
The essence of it really, is that during your shifting, you ease the power up so it just barely builds in the Rev range, but then you let it crescendo at around 3300 rpm, then let down for the change up.
The chassis knocks you forward on the forced engagement of the decelerating engine with the clutched in higher gear, and you say "ooohooo..ly Badass. That hit the spot." Like the afterburners just went lit. But there's so much more there. The forte of straight pipes brapping with the moonsoon radio feeding you hits and heat the smell of which is the hardest thing to describe all account for a synthesis of experience which cross-contaminated your senses like a cook wiping the fries with steak grease. It's a package, and it's very good. The heat has its own incense. It papers your mind. The facts are, it admittedly needs suspension to really make the flagship Enterprise come to fruition. But someone thought of that. Mine has low profile tires, oversized BBS wheels of which there are a couple sets anywhere because they're factory W8 reproductions, and the cat-back tip hangers are cross welded to join at the center behind the differential. It's a lot like having - in the words of Hammond - a"massive tail."

What the actual hell I did just read...

 

[ZGBox]

You guys ever hear a car can't be measured on paper?
The car is a unicorn and it's roller skating in swimwear sipping an icee; that cool.
And if you don't believe me, I'm the one taking the engine out, replacing the clutch and timing chain (both at the back of the engine), and completing a rebuild of the front suspension. I have an original Titan too, so don't think it's absolutely impossible.
The essence of it really, is that during your shifting, you ease the power up so it just barely builds in the Rev range, but then you let it crescendo at around 3300 rpm, then let down for the change up.
The chassis knocks you forward on the forced engagement of the decelerating engine with the clutched in higher gear, and you say "ooohooo..ly Badass. That hit the spot." Like the afterburners just went lit. But there's so much more there. The forte of straight pipes brapping with the moonsoon radio feeding you hits and heat the smell of which is the hardest thing to describe all account for a synthesis of experience which cross-contaminated your senses like a cook wiping the fries with steak grease. It's a package, and it's very good. The heat has its own incense. It papers your mind. The facts are, it admittedly needs suspension to really make the flagship Enterprise come to fruition. But someone thought of that. Mine has low profile tires, oversized BBS wheels of which there are a couple sets anywhere because they're factory W8 reproductions, and the cat-back tip hangers are cross welded to join at the center behind the differential. It's a lot like having - in the words of Hammond - a"massive tail."

When I read this, I was crying for its magnificence; it changed my life, my crops are healthy now, it cured my depression and I'm sure it will change the life for the majority of the users here in this site.
Thank you.

 

[VXR]

A unicorn if it's still running.