Passat V6 unveiled
You might remember my Passat report mentioned a 280 hp 3.6 VR6 will be the top powerplant for Passat, now Volkswagen officially unveiled the car.
In 1991, Volkswagen introduced a 174hp narrow-angle 2.8 VR6 in the Golf III and, later, the contemporary Passat. However, as the next Passat switched to longitudinal engine (it shared platform with Audi A4), VR6 was dropped from the Passat, replaced by Audi's conventional V6. Now, the new Passat returns to transverse engine layout, thus the unique VR6 also make its return to the Passat.
The new VR6 has increased its capacity from 3.2 to 3.6 litres. Like the previous versions, it has 4 valves per cylinder driven by a total of 2 camshafts, both have variable valve timing function. Note that the new VR6 has made its V-angle even narrower than before - now just 10.6° instead of 15°, this should make the engine even more compact.
The 3.6-litre VR6 produces 280 hp / 6200 rpm and 265 lbft / 2750 rpm. For reference, the current 3.2-litre VR6 employed by Audi TT and A3 produces 250 hp and 236 lbft. The new Passat V6 is therefore capable of sprinting from rest to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, even though a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox is the only choice.
Source : www.autozine.org
