Volkswagen added two new V6 TDI engines to the Passat.

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June 11, 2003
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Volkswagen added two new V6 TDI engines to the Passat

EU 4 emission limits outperformed with six-speed gearbox

Photo: VW

120 kW TDI as six-cylinder entry-level option
132 kW TDI as most powerful Passat diesel ever - but fuel consumption is only 7.6 l/100 km
German tax relief for EU 4 exhaust emission compliance means more than 640 Euros road tax exemption

Wolfsburg - Volkswagen has just added two powerful new V6 TDI engines to the Passat and Passat Variant model programme: one developing 120 kW (163 bhp), the other 132 kW (180 bhp). The new top TDI models have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment - a powerful driveline combination that brings with it compliance with the EU 4 exhaust emission limits. This is a most profitable development for German owners: if a new Passat V6 TDI is registered in June 2003, it will be exempt from road tax until February 2005 - a saving of more than 640 Euros.

These two new flagship models, featuring the latest diesel technology, give the Passat an invigorating power boost. Both six-cylinder units have a swept volume of 2.5 litres and will keep this model, which has been a midsize-category top-seller for many years on its path to success. In recent tests, European motoring journalists have been full of praise for these new versions and have also confirmed their premium character when compared with ambitious market rivals.

Entry to the V6 TDI power category now starts at 120 kW (163 bhp), with front-wheel drive and a six-speed gearbox. This version of the Passat accelerates t 100 km/h from a standstill in only 9.3 seconds and has a maximum torque of 350 Newton-metres, available from the low engine speed of 1500/min. As an option, customers can order a five-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic (front-wheel drive). In both manual-gearbox and automatic form, this engine complies with the EU 4 exhaust emission standard and therefore qualifies for road-tax concessions where these are available.

The 180-bhp six-cylinder TDI is one of the most powerful and exceptionally refined direct-injection turbocharged engines in this power-output category. From a swept volume of 2,496 cc, it reaches its maximum torque of 370 Nm at an engine speed of only 1500/min. The top speed of the Passat saloon with V6 TDI engine is an impressive 226 km/h; the Variant estate car reaches 223 km/h. Other performance data are just as impressive, for instance acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 8.7 seconds (Variant: 8.9 seconds).

In view of such vigorous performance, the fuel consumption figures are all the more gratifying: only 6.8 litres (Variant: 7.0 litres) are needed on average by the 163-bhp engine per 100 kilometres, and the top diesel version too is content with an average of 7.6 litres (Variant: 7.9 litres) over the same distance. These are values which - particularly when accompanied by road tax exemption - go a long way to explain why these cars are so economical to run.

The V6 TDI is available with Comfortline, Trendline, Highline or Executive decor. The list price with 163-bhp engine is 28,890 Euros. The basic version of the four-wheel-drive Passat V6 TDI 4MOTION (132 kW) is listed at 31,505 Euros. The standard equipment specification is extremely complete: it includes such items as automatic air conditioning, cruise control, a multifunction display, an anti-theft alarm and ESP with Brake Assist.

(June 04, 2003)

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