Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Passat Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Volkswagen-VW Passat has a 3999cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a W formation.

Alternative Petrol W8's includes the

The Passat shares its Petrol W8 engine configuration with the likes of the If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Passat's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1588 kgs (3500 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Passat shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 3999cc 32V W8 engine produces 272 bhp (202 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated W8 throws out 273 lb-ft (370.1 Nm) @ 2750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Passat you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (196.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Passat.

The Volkswagen-VW Passat has a Power to weight ratio of 171.2 bhp per ton and 171.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Passat competing with the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (196.1 bhp per ton) or the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 289 4.7 V8 (195.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Passat generating around 171.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 (196.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo (196.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Passat and the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Passat on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.17 secs @ 96.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (14.10 secs), the 2006 Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo (14.10 secs), and the 1993 Mazda RX7 FD Turbo (14.10 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Passat equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Passat Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison