VW Passat B5

Thursday 17 September 2009
An all-new fifth-generation Passat, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was launched in 1996 in Europe, and 1998 in North America. It was significant in that it shared a platform with the Audi A4 (1995 onwards), using the classic longitudinally mounted engine with front-wheel drive. This design harked back to the first and second generation Passats, which were based on the Audi 80 (the A4 is the supersession of the Audi 80 line). Styling-wise, the Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens, and this was evident with the Mk4 Golf, Bora and Polo Mk4. The curvy lines, heavily raked windscreens, and smooth underpinnings helped give the B5 Passat an very low coefficient of drag, rated at 0.27 (saloon model).

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1896 cc
- horsepower: 130 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 208 km/h