Volkswagen Passat Forum banner

PQ46 (next-gen Passat) explained

17K views 36 replies 27 participants last post by  StattlichPassat  
#1 ·
Not sure if this has been discussed. I recently found out how VW/Audi is now coding their cars. Here's the New Passat (it will NOT be a B6 or even an A6, they aren't using those designations anymore)

PQ46 (next-gen Passat)
Platform
Quer (transverse)
Size class 4
Generation 6

And just as an FYI, here's the rest of the lineup:

PQ24 (A2, new Polo)
Platform
Quer (transverse)
Size class 2
Generation 4

PQ35 (new A3, next-gen Golf/Jetta)
Platform
Quer (transverse)
Size class 3
Generation 5

PL46 (current A4)
Platform
Leng (longitudonal)
Size class 4
Generation 6

PL62 (new Audi A8)
Platform
Leng (longitudonal)
Size class 6
Generation 2

PL71 (Touareg)
Platform
Leng (longitudonal)
Size class 7
Generation 1

T5 (new Transporter/Caravelle)
Transporter
Generation 5
 
#2 ·
I didn't see this posted anywhere here on Club :b5: after doing a search so I figured I'd add to this thread. I really like this PQ46 platform and was researching it when I came across this first hand account from a VWvortex staffer. Thought I'd share it with everyone.

- The B6 Passat won't be introduced here till 2005 at this point. Straight up, VW got way behind on the project for a wide variety of reasons.

- Volkswagen is no longer doing platform sharing. Each chassis is completely unique to the given car model. So the 6th generation Passat is a unique vehicle and is NOT the basis for VW's c-class (BMW 5-series, MB e-class, Audi A6) car that the Car article is referring to. The c-class car (which they refer to as a Passat-plus) is rumored to be rear-wheel drive/AWD and will share components with the next generation Phaeton and A8. Apparently Pischetsreider is talking about taking any vehicles above the B-class cars (Passat, Audi A4) to a RWD/AWD format in the future. So the B6 chassis is unique to that model... what gets shared are the engines, transmissions, HVAC, suspension components, brakes, etc. with the Golf V. So that means a fully independent rear suspension (yeah!) for all models and a revised front strut arrangement similar to BMW's setup.

- That said, the 6-gen Passat does look very similar to the photoshop above. The headlamps are dead-on and the general shape is fairly close but not exact. In customer clinics the new Passat has met rave reviews for its design, moreso than any car VW has produced in recent memory. Everyone at Volkswagen that has seen it simple raves about how beautiful it is. Should be interesting.

- Engines will be transversely mounted in the B6 Passat to move the wheels out to the corners of the car and get the engine better positioned closer to the front wheels (as opposed to the current layout where the engine is completely in front of the front struts in a longitudinal mount. This also gives the car a shorter front over-hang and more aggressive look. With transverse engines comes Haldex AWD instead of the torsen system in current cars. I've driven the R32 with Haldex quite a bit and it is an awesome car that you can actually hang the tail out on thanks to Haldex, so I'm not worried about the change. Expect the car to be over 3 inches wider, over an inch and half longer in the wheelbase and about an inch longer overalll.

- Powertrain-wise the current word on the street for the U.S. market is a 200hp 16v 2.0l turbo 4-cylinder as the base engine and a new 3.6l 24v VR6 at 265-300hp :lol: . Haldex AWD would be standard on the V6 models due to the power and optional on the 2.0T models. Six-speed transmissions will be standard, however Car is incorrect that they will only be DSG automatics. Volkswagen has put a significant investment into an all-new six-speed Tiptronic made in Japan by Aisin that is buttery smooth (it is currently available in the New Beetle Convertible). Expect to see this new Tiptronic in the next generation Passat with DSG possibly being offered in a Passat "R" model.

Expect lots of standard equipment including dual-zone climatronic, optional navigation system, standard and optional HID headlamps and more. Plus it sounds like Volkswagen is going to offer stand-alone options now so if you want HID headlamps on a base model Passat you will be able to get them.
 
#3 ·
Oh my god. Next car, 3.2 VR6 4Mo with a siz speed. Oh... my... god.

Then I'd take out the drivtrain and put it in an anthracite B5 variant, ala that Canadian's (can't remeber his name! :p ) 2.7T Variant.


Only probelm is, with all that standard crap, the base model will cost, like, $30K. :(
 
#12 ·
no FWD no Six Speed Standard, no future passat for me, I project VW will see an exodus of long term buyers, I have owned 5 VW's, looks like I will be migrating to a rice burner like the rest of the world. I see a turbo subaru in my future.
 
#14 ·
From the looks of it, they won't be having it ready for a 2005 model release. We haven't even seen a concept car, other than Photoshop renditions. Following VWAGs normal scheme, they'd also release it a year in advance in Europe. Unless VW plans on release the car without a concept phase, I think VWs in for another year of crappy sales (unless that overpriced, underequipped Golf pulls in some decent sales due to an upswing in the domestic markets).
 
#16 ·
I don't read it as saying no manual tranie, only that "DSG won't be the only 6-speed" and that a 6-speed tip will be offered. Also, I don't see them saying no FWD. It says "The c-class car (which they refer to as a Passat-plus) is rumored to be rear-wheel drive/AWD"...the Passat is a B-class car, it doesn't say whether B-class with be RWD/FWD/AWD. Noting that it is offered with Haldex..that insinuates FWD...all Haldex cars are basically FWD with the rear wheels driven only AFTER slip occures. I think y'all are reading too much into this...
 
#18 ·
UCIV6 said:
Not to bump an old thread, but I'm considering getting a new Passat and I'm wondering whether (if I want the passat) i should buy now to get the current B5.5 model, or wait for this PQ46?

I was currently looking at a 1.8T 5speed 4Mo...
yikes, if you are, you'd better start looking now! I'm in the middle of purchasing one, and according to the dealer, I have the last one! there was a total of 5 found last thurs. don't know if there are others with the leather package, since I did not request it.
 
#19 ·
sukotto said:
UCIV6 said:
Not to bump an old thread, but I'm considering getting a new Passat and I'm wondering whether (if I want the passat) i should buy now to get the current B5.5 model, or wait for this PQ46?

I was currently looking at a 1.8T 5speed 4Mo...
yikes, if you are, you'd better start looking now! I'm in the middle of purchasing one, and according to the dealer, I have the last one! there was a total of 5 found last thurs. don't know if there are others with the leather package, since I did not request it.
When are they phasing the B5.5 out and the new model in?
 
#20 ·
UCIV6 said:
sukotto said:
UCIV6 said:
Not to bump an old thread, but I'm considering getting a new Passat and I'm wondering whether (if I want the passat) i should buy now to get the current B5.5 model, or wait for this PQ46?

I was currently looking at a 1.8T 5speed 4Mo...
yikes, if you are, you'd better start looking now! I'm in the middle of purchasing one, and according to the dealer, I have the last one! there was a total of 5 found last thurs. don't know if there are others with the leather package, since I did not request it.
When are they phasing the B5.5 out and the new model in?
Good question, except sukotto was poiting out that the car you want is very rare. If you wanted a 1.8T tip 4mo, it would be easier.
 
#21 ·
:lol:

Dealers are funny like that. "Its the last one, I swear..."

VW hasn't even released the concept for the new Passat... :crazy:
 
#22 ·
Since when will manuals not be offered?
 
#23 ·
There's a 1.8T Manual 4-Motion sitting in the showroom at my dealer....
 
#24 ·
I hope this is all speculation. Those are some crazy changes were talking about in this thread. What are they thinking over in Germany?
 
#25 ·
the new passat will be FWD or AWD. It will not be RWD.

Transverse layout == FWD or Haldex. If you cant find a front engine, rwd car, with a transverse layout, i'm all ears, but i dont think any such car exists.
 
#26 ·
gig103 said:
UCIV6 said:
sukotto said:
UCIV6 said:
Not to bump an old thread, but I'm considering getting a new Passat and I'm wondering whether (if I want the passat) i should buy now to get the current B5.5 model, or wait for this PQ46?

I was currently looking at a 1.8T 5speed 4Mo...
yikes, if you are, you'd better start looking now! I'm in the middle of purchasing one, and according to the dealer, I have the last one! there was a total of 5 found last thurs. don't know if there are others with the leather package, since I did not request it.
When are they phasing the B5.5 out and the new model in?
Good question, except sukotto was poiting out that the car you want is very rare. If you wanted a 1.8T tip 4mo, it would be easier.
Yeah, the only thing though, is that the new 2.0T 4Mo would be awesome. Although, I'm sure it costs more than the current model.