Segment: Medium
Production years: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Volkswagen introduced the second generation of the Passat in 1981, and it showed a clear upgrade over the Golf lineup and a closer approach to the mid-size segment.
While its predecessor was no match for Fiat, Renault, or Citroen, starting with the second generation, it closed the gap with its competitors and, by the end of its career, it managed to overtake them. The German carmaker was riding the high waves thanks to its modern front-wheel-drive concept, while other brands were still stuck with the old-school, rear-wheel-drive sedans. Moreover, it was available for the first time with an all-wheel-drive configuration, named Syncro.
Its angular lines, the big rectangular headlights, and the plastic bumper were a fresh look on the market. The three-box sedan version was not the most popular on the market, but it was considered an excellent middle-management vehicle thanks to its roomy interior. Soon, it became popular for families as well. Volkswagen installed two large dials on the dashboard for the speedometer and tachometer in the angular instrument cluster and two smaller gauges for fuel and coolant temperatures. There was an area with ten lights for turn-signals, hazard, oil-pressure, parking brakes, and a few other important warning lights in the middle.
Volkswagen offered the Passat a wide choice of engines, both diesel, and gasoline. Its long-range autonomy, of over 1000 km (623 miles), made it one of the most cost-effective cars on the market. Its reliability and low running costs increased over the years.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (60 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1297 cm3 |
Power: | 44 KW @ 5600 RPM 60 HP @ 5600 RPM 59 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 74 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 100 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 92 mph (148 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2072.3 lbs (940 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3130.6 lbs (1420 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 4MT FWD (72 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1595 cm3 |
Power: | 53 KW @ 5200 RPM 72 HP @ 5200 RPM 71 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 89 lb-ft @ 2700 RPM 120 Nm @ 2700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 98.2 mph (158 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2131.9 lbs (967 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3218.7 lbs (1460 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 202 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 4MT FWD (75 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1595 cm3 |
Power: | 55 KW @ 5000 RPM 75 HP @ 5000 RPM 74 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 92 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 125 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99.4 mph (160 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2109.8 lbs (957 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3218.7 lbs (1460 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 200 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8i 5MT FWD (90 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1781 cm3 |
Power: | 66 KW @ 5200 RPM 90 HP @ 5200 RPM 89 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 101 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM 137 Nm @ 3750 RPM |
Fuel System: | Monopoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2085.6 lbs (946 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3218.7 lbs (1460 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 5MT FWD (90 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1781 cm3 |
Power: | 66 KW @ 5200 RPM 90 HP @ 5200 RPM 89 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 107 lb-ft @ 3300 RPM 145 Nm @ 3300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2085.6 lbs (946 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3218.7 lbs (1460 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1994 cm3 |
Power: | 85 KW @ 5400 RPM 116 HP @ 5400 RPM 114 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 165 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Monopoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 114.3 mph (184 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2299.4 lbs (1043 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3483.3 lbs (1580 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 28.3 mpg US (8.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 197 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 5MT FWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 1994 cm3 |
Power: | 84.6 KW @ 5400 RPM 115 HP @ 5400 RPM 113 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 165 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Monopoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 113.1 mph (182 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2367.8 lbs (1074 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3483.3 lbs (1580 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 204 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6d 4MT FWD (54 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 40 KW @ 4800 RPM 54 HP @ 4800 RPM 54 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 74 lb-ft @ 2300 RPM 100 Nm @ 2300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 87 mph (140 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 20.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2125.3 lbs (964 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3306.9 lbs (1500 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 36.8 mpg US (6.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 169 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L TD 5MT FWD (69 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 4500 RPM 69 HP @ 4500 RPM 68 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 98 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 133 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 95.7 mph (154 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 15.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 165SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 67.3 in (1709 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.9 in (1,410/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.4 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.9 cuFT (535 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2220 lbs (1007 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3395.1 lbs (1540 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 37.9 mpg US (6.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 164 g/km |