Volkswagen B platform
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The Volkswagen B platform is a mid-size automobile platform from the Volkswagen Group. It has been used for coupés, sedans, and station wagons under the Volkswagen, Audi and Škoda brands over the years.
Volkswagen's revised platform naming system replaces the simpler B6 with a PL46:
- P indicates a passenger car platform
- L indicates a longitudinal engine
- 4 indicates the platform size or class
- 6 indicates the generation
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[edit] B1
1974-1988. An Audi derived platform, the first Passat was nearly identical to an Audi 80 (Audi Fox in US), sharing much of its mechanical systems, including its longitudinal engine placement.
B1 platform cars:
- VW Passat B1/VW Dasher (Typ 32, 1974-1981; 1975-1988 in Brazil)
- Audi 80 (Typ 80, 1973–1976)
- Audi 80 (Typ 82, 1977–1978)
[edit] BX
1980-1993. The BX platform, developed VW's Brazilian subsidiary, again borrowed heavily from the Audi 80 (Fox/4000) of the day. The BX platform was used for the Brazilian Volkswagen Gol, Voyage (Gacel or Senda - In Argentina, and Fox in the U.S.), Parati (Amazon in U.S.), Saveiro (pickup) and Furgão (van) models. The Gol/Fox was quite unique in that it started life with a four-cylinder air cooled engine (borrowed from the VW Beetle), and eventually ended up with a more modern watercooled engine, being sold in the US for the first time as a 1987 model. The VW BX family was restyled in 1987 and 1991.
[edit] B2
Still an Audi derived platform, this time it borrowed liberally from the Audi 80/4000, again, including its longitudinal engine placement and, on some European models, the Quattro four-wheel drive system, rebranded Syncro for VW. The Santana (facelifted) is still produced to this day in some countries as is the Gol.
B2 platform cars:
- Volkswagen Passat B2 (Typ 32B, 1981-1988; 1982-1988 in the US where it was sold as the Quantum)
- Audi 80 and 90 (Typ 81, 1979–1987)
- Audi Coupé (Typ 81, 1981–1984)
- Audi 4000CS quattro (Typ 81, 1985–1987)
- Audi Coupé (Typ 85, 1985–1988)
- Audi Quattro (Typ 85, 1981–1991)
- Audi Sport Quattro (1984–1987)
- Volkswagen Gol Generation 2 to Generation 4 (1994-present)
- Volkswagen Santana (1984-2006)
[edit] B3
The B3 Passat was the first B platform car to be called Passat in the United States. The B3 was also the first Passat with an independently designed platform, it did not share parts with Audis. Instead, the design borrowed heavily from the A2 platform.
B3 platform cars:
- Volkswagen Passat B3 (Typ 35i, 1988-1993; 1990-1994 in US)
- Volkswagen Corrado (1988-1995, hybrid platform with A2)
The "B3" designation is also used to refer to the Typ 89 version of the 80/90 produced from 1987 to 1992 and the Typ 8B Audi Coupé and S2. However these are not based on the same platform as the "B3" Passat.
[edit] B4
The B4 Passat was a face lifted B3 (receiving its own generation number is controversial), remaining nearly mechanically identical, but with entirely new sheetmetal, and an updated interior design.
B4 platform cars:
- VW Passat B4 (Typ 35i, 1993-1996; U.S. 1995-1997)
The "B4" designation is also used to refer to the Typ 8C version of the Audi 80 and RS2 produced from 1991 to 1994. However these are not based on the same platform as the "B4" Passat.
[edit] B5
1996-2005. The B5 received a facelift in 2001. The resulting Passats are referred to as B5.5. The B5 Passat borrows its platform from the original A4, resulting in a logintudinal engine placement, which differs from the A platform which have been traditionally transversely mounted. B5 platform cars can be equipped with a multilink front suspension and a Torsen center differential.
B5 platform cars:
- Audi A4 (Typ 8D, 1996-2002)
- Audi S4 (Typ 8D, 1997-2002)
- Volkswagen Passat B5 (Typ 3B, 1996-2001)
- Volkswagen Passat B5.5 (Typ 3BG, 2001-2005)
- Volkswagen Passat Lingyu B5 (1999-present; long wheelbase version for Chinese market)
- Škoda Superb (Typ 3U, based on Chinese LWB Passat)
[edit] B6 (PL46)
Volkswagen's Passat moved onto the PQ46 platform for its 6th generation, a slightly enlarged version of the Golf/Jetta's PQ35 platform. There are no vehicles with the Volkswagen badge that are actually B6 cars. However, "B6" is used to describe the Typ 8E Audi A4/S4 produced from 2000 to 2005.
B6 platform cars:
The Audi A4 also is considered to have a "B7" generation, from 2005 on. However, this seventh generation of the car was really a minor revision of the B6 platform. Both have the Typ number 8E and are based on the PL46 platform.
[edit] B8 (MLB/MLP)
The B8 platform, otherwise known as the MLB (Modulare Längsbaukasten) or MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform), is noteworthy for placing the front differential ahead of the clutch, allowing the front axle to be moved forward 4-inches. This increase in wheelbase causes a more rearward weight distribution for better handling performance.
B8 platform cars:
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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