Volkswagen · 1996–2005

Volkswagen Passat B5

The Volkswagen Passat (B5) is a large family car which was produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen from 1996 to 2005, with 1996 to 2000 model years being B5 models and 2001 to 2005 model years being B5.5 models. The car, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was originally launched in Germany in 1996, before it was introduced in 1997 to North America and Europe, followed by Australia in 1998 and China in 1999. It was launched a year prior to the final model year of the Volkswagen Passat B4, which was phazed out completely by 1997.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Volkswagen Passat B4 · Successor: Volkswagen Passat B6

All Volkswagen Passat B5 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Design

The new Passat's raked windscreen and smooth underpinnings helped give the sedan a 0.27 coefficient of drag. The B5 Passat included higher-quality interior trim and the availability of luxury options to differentiate it in the marketplace, beginning a general push upmarket for Volkswagen across its entire model range which would be continued with the Golf Mk4 the following year. The car featured fully independent four-link front suspension; and a semi-independent torsion beam for front-wheel-drive models or a fully independent suspension on the 4motion 4WD models. The 4WD version was introduced in 1997 as an option for the 1.8, 2.8 V6, 1.9 TDI, and 2.5 V6 TDI engines, using a second-generation Torsen T-2 based 4WD system to minimise loss of traction. The 1.8 L petrol engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine (4.6 US quarts (4.4 L) in transverse, 4.3 US quarts (4.1 L) longitudinal). Three transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual (codename 01E), and a 5-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic. There was also a 4-speed automatic transmission, available only in 66kW and 81kW 1.9 L TDI, as well as some gasoline models. The B5 generation does not have individual fog lights. They are built into the headlight itself. There is a model with two front and two rear fog lights (from 1998), and there is a model without front fog lights, but has rear fog lights. The facelifted model included individual fog lights.

B5 awards

1999 Used Car Buyer Greatest Used Buy Awards – Most Sensible Car Award Overall & Best Family Car 1999 Auto Express New Car Honours – Best Family Car 1998 What Car? Car of Cars – Best Medium Car 1998 Which? Best Buy – Large family car market winner

2001 Facelift (Passat B5.5)

B5 Passat models built after late 2000, also known as B5.5 models for the 2001 model year onwards, received major styling and mechanical revisions including revised projector-optic headlights, bumpers, taillights, and chrome trim. A 4.0 L W8 engine producing 275 PS (202 kW) was introduced with a luxury version that included standard 4motion all-wheel drive. This engine was intended to be a test bed for Volkswagen Group's new W engine technology, which would later make an appearance on the W12 in the Phaeton and Audi A8, and the W16 engine in the Bugatti Veyron. In 2003, a 2.0 L Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine producing 136 PS (100 kW) was added (making the Passat the only mid-sized diesel-powered car sold in the U.S.). This variant was available from 2003 until 2005. LWB. A lengthened platform went on to underpin the 'Passat' that was introduced in China in December 1999 by Shanghai-Volkswagen. This long-wheelbase version was rebadged and launched in Europe as the Škoda Superb in 2001. Both have a 100 mm (3.9 in) longer wheelbase and length than the standard B5 Passat. An updated version called the Passat Lingyu was released in late November 2005, which has the 1.8-litre turbocharged EA113, the 2.0 L EA113, and the 2.8 L BBG V6 petrol engines. Gallery. === B5.5 trim levels === In the United Kingdom, trim levels were E, S, Sport, SE, V5, V6, and Highline. The E trim level had a 1.6 L 102 PS (75 kW) engine only. The S trim level was considered well-equipped by the motoring press at the time, and What Car? magazine recommended the 1.8 S as the best version in 1999. SE models had the same engines as the S version, but were better equipped. The V5 models had a 2.3 V5 engine, the V6 was available with a 2.8 V6, or 180 PS (132 kW) 2.5 TDI. Models sold in Euro

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Volkswagen Passat (B5)
Manufacturer: Volkswagen
Production: 1996–2005, 1999–2005 (China)
Assembly: Germany: Emden, Germany: Mosel/Zwickau, Poland: Poznań, Slovakia: Bratislava, Ukraine: Solomonovo (Eurocar), China: Anting (Shanghai Volkswagen), Thailand: Bangkok
Class: Mid-size car / Large family car (D)
Body style: 4-door saloon/sedan, 5-door estate/wagon
Platform: Volkswagen Group B5
Related: Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat Lingyu, Škoda Superb
Layout: Longitudinal Front engine, front-wheel drive or, four-wheel drive
Engine: Petrol engines:, 1.6 L EA827 I4, 1.8 L EA113 I4, 1.8 L EA113 I4, 1.8 L EA113 turbo I4, 2.0 L EA827 I4, 2.0 L ALT 20v I4, 2.3 L AGZ/AZX 20v VR5, 2.8 L ACK/AGE/AHA/ALG/AMX/APR/AQD/ATQ/ATX/BBG 30v V6, 4.0 L BDN 32v W8, Diesel engines:, 1.9 L AHU/AHH TDI PD I4, 1.9 L AFN/AVB/AWX/AVF/AJM/ATJ TDI I4, 2.0 L BGW/BHW TDI PD DPF I4, 2.5 L AFB/AKN/BDG/BDH/BAU TDI V6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, 5-speed ZF 5HP19 Tiptronic automatic, 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 106.4 in, 110.4 in (LWB)
Length: 184.1 in (B5 saloon), 183.8 in (B5 estate), 185.2 in (B5.5 saloon), 184.3 in (B5.5 estate), 188.5 in (LWB)
Width: 68.5 in
Height: 57.5 - (saloon), 58.6 - (estate)
Kerb weight: 1365-1830 kg
Designer: Hartmut Warkuss
sp: uk
Predecessor: Volkswagen Passat (B4)
Successor: Volkswagen Passat (B6), Volkswagen Passat NMS, Volkswagen Passat Lingyu (for China)