Volkswagen Passat (B4)

Volkswagen Passat (B4)
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	1993–1997
Model years	1994-1997
Assembly	Emden, Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car / Mid-size car
Body style	4-door saloon/sedan 5-door estate/wagon
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group B4
Related	Volkswagen Passat (B3)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol engines: 1.6 L I4 1.8 L I4 2.0 L I4 2.0 L I4 16v 2.8 L VR6 2.9 L VR6 Diesel engines: 1.9 L I4 TD 1.9 L I4 TDI
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	103.3 in (2,624 mm)
Length	181.5 in (4,610 mm) (saloon) 181 in (4,597 mm) (estate)
Width	67.5 in (1,714 mm)
Height	56.4 in (1,433 mm) (saloon) 58.7 in (1,491 mm) (estate)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volkswagen Passat (B3)
Successor	Volkswagen Passat (B5)

The B3 Passat was heavily facelifted in 1993 and although it was designated B4, it was not an all-new model. The facelift resulted in every external body panel being changed, except for the roof and glasshouse, with most obvious exterior change seeing the re-introduction of a grille to match the style of the other same-generation Volkswagen models of the era, such as the Mk3 Golf and Jetta. The interior was mildly updated and included safety equipment such as dual front airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners, although the basic dashboard design remain unchanged.

The car was available with a Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine - an inline four-cylinder 1.9 liter turbodiesel, generating 210 newton metres (155 lbf·ft) of torque at 1,900 rpm, 66 kilowatts (90 PS; 89 bhp) at 3,750 rpm. It carried a U.S. EPA fuel efficiency rating for the sedan of 45 miles per US gallon (5.2 L/100 km; 54 mpg_-imp) highway. Combined with a 70 litres (15.4 imp gal; 18.5 US gal) fuel tank, it had a 1300+ km (800+ mi) range on a single tank of fuel. The B4 TDI wagon saw less than 1,000 sales in the U.S. during its 1996 to 1997 lifespan.

B4 trim levels

Volkswagen Passat B4 wagon (US)

In Europe, L, CL, GL, GT and VR6 versions were available; with the VR6 with one of the trims, for example a GL VR6. Only three trim levels were available in the United States: GLS, GLX and TDI. The GLX version carried Volkswagen's 2.8 litre VR6 engine. The GLS had a 2.0 litre 8-valve engine, while the TDI had the 1.9 TurboDiesel.

Canadian versions of the Passat were similar to their European counterparts, unlike models sold in the U.S., due to a trade agreement that Canada had with Europe at the time, which allowed any car federalized in one participating country to legally be sold in any of the others. However, Canada did not get the 1.8 liter 4-cylinder petrol version, nor the 1.9 liter TurboDiesel, both of which were on sale in Europe at the time.

The only Version sold in Mexico was the 2.8 liter VR6 gasoline in GLX trim level. These versions were more expensive than the Volkswagen cars built in Mexico, due to the import tariffs, and the fact the Passat was built in Germany.

B4 engines

The following internal combustion engines were available in the B4 Passat:

References