Passat Mk5

An all-new fifth-generation Passat, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was launched in 1996 in Europe, and 1998 in North America. It shared a platform with the Audi A4 (1995 onwards), using the classic longitudinally mounted engine with front-wheel drive. This design harked back to the first and second generation Passats, which were based on the Audi 80 (the A4 is the supersession of the Audi 80 line).
The Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens such as the Mk4 Golf, Bora and Polo Mk4. The smooth lines, heavily raked windscreens, and smooth underpinnings helped give the B5 Passat an low coefficient of drag, rated at 0.27 (saloon model).
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. 4WD 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 litre petrol engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine (4.6 quarts in transverse, 4.3 quarts longitudinal), and may suffer from oil sludge problems as a result, if not changed at regular intervals with fully synthetic oils. Three transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed manual transmission (codename O1E) and a 5-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic.

[edit] 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? Magazine Best Buy — Large family car market winner