What Changed for 2008:

• Wagon comes with manual transmission only with turbocharged 4-cylinder engine


• Wagon gets 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) only with V-6 engine


• Standard equipment varies by trim level

Overview
The history of the mid-size Passat traces to the early 1970s when Volkswagen was struggling to make the conversion from rear-engine Beetle derivatives to more modern front-engine and front-wheel-drive products. The original Passat was known in the United States as the Dasher and then as the Quantum before finally taking its European-market name in the late 1980s. Regardless of name, the car never really caught on with U.S. buyers until the introduction of the fifth-generation or "B5" version. Now a close cousin to Audi's highly regarded A4, the B5 Passat offered a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine and optional V-6 engine—both shared with Audi—as well as significantly upgraded and upscale interior. The completely updated “B6” version of the Passat sedan was introduced as a 2006 model, with a wagon joining the lineup for 2007.

All 2008 Passats come with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty that includes 24-hour road service for four years as well as a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

Model Lineup
For the 2008 model year, the VW Passat sedan and wagon are available in four trim levels. Turbo is the base model and comes with an 8-speaker audio system with in-dash CD player; V-Tex (leatherette) seating; 12-way power driver’s seat and 8-way manual front passenger’s seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; digital compass and temperature display; multi-function trip computer; cruise control; pollen and odor air filter; illuminated vanity mirrors; dual exhaust; power windows and locks and exterior mirrors; and rides on 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Komfort version adds a premium audio system with 6-disc CD changer and satellite radio; double visors for front-seat occupants; 3-spoke steering wheel with wheel-mounted audio controls; lighting in the center console and foot wells; and sunroof. It rides on 17-inch wheels.

The Lux version adds leather seating; dual-zone climate controls; 3-position memory for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors; 12-way power for the front passenger’s seat; steering-wheel-mounted controls for the Tiptronic gearbox; heated front seats; HomeLink garage door opener; automatic headlamps; rain-sensing windshield wipers; self-dimming interior mirror; and Park-distance control.

The VR6 adds sport seats; Dynaudio premium sound system; bi-Xenon headlamps; and heated windshield washer nozzles. It rides on a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels. The options list includes a DVD-based navigation system, adaptive cruise control and ground effects body trim.

The Passat sedan has a trunk with 14.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Passat wagon provides 35.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up, or 61.1 cubic feet with the seat folded flat. The wagon can carry as much as 1228 pounds of people and their stuff. Access to the wagon’s cargo area is eased by the presence of a standard power-operated rear hatch.

Powertrain
The Turbo, Komfort and Lux versions of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat are equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that pumps out 200 hp, which is available to the front wheels through a 6-speed Tiptronic transmission. The Turbo also can be equipped with a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox. The VR6 gets a 280-hp 6-cylinder engine and is available in both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. VW calls its AWD system 4Motion.

Safety
All versions of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat are equipped with front and side (thorax) air bags designed to protect the driver and front passenger as well as side curtain air bags that cover both rows of seating. In addition, all versions offer optional side (thorax) air bags for the two outboard rear-seat seating positions.

The standard safety package also includes anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), and 4Motion AWD on the VR6 Passat.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2008 Volkswagen Passat a “Good” rating in both frontal- and side-impact protection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Passat sedan and wagon at 4 stars for frontal-impact protection of driver and front-seat occupant. The wagon was not tested for side impact, but the sedan rated 5 stars for front-seat protection and 4 stars for rear-seat protection. Both models received 4 stars in rollover resistance.

Technology
The 2008 Volkswagen Passat features an electric parking brake with an "auto-hold" function. In the Turbo equipped with manual transmissions, auto-hold prevents the car from rolling backward on steep hills. For versions with the Tiptronic, auto-hold keeps the brakes applied when the car is stopped in gear (for example, at a traffic light), and releases them when the driver steps on the gas.