joe@vwvortex

Apparently there was a big meeting in CA with the entire German engineering and design team for the next generation B6 Passat. It appears that the new B6 Passat will NOT be based entirely on the same B6 Platform as the new 2002 A4. The new B6 Passat will no longer use the multilink front suspension, and will no longer use a longitudinal engine layout. It will however use the new fully independent rear suspension and a modified MacStrut front suspension based upon the current 3 Series design. The new B6 Passat will also feature the new Haldex system instead of the current Torsen based system. It will also not share any of the Audi engines - with some new engines debuting. Look for the possibility of the 3.2l VR6 with 250hp and a new 2.0L 16V Turbo with 200hp. This 2.0L Turbo will not be based on the current 1.8T but on the VW 2.0l NA engine. Also the W8 engine to debut shortly in the revised Passat will be dropped from the B6 platform.

This information was received from a person who attended the over week long session, so it is relatively credible. The new Passat will debut in the US in 2003, as a 2004 model.

joe@vwvortex

correction - debut in 2004

Dan F.

Is the divergence from the Audi platform due to political pressure, or for some other reason?

Tom from Vancouver

Its good they seperate Passat and A4

eMKay (BFLO)

I am beginning to think Audi is going to debut new engines for the 2003 model year. It would not be acceptable for the "family" version of the A4 to have more power.

av_audi

The non-turbo 1.8 is not offered in the US, so chances are the new 2.0 won't be offered either.