AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
Flagship-for now; Until the Phaeton arrives, the W8 is VW's big daddy.(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
We are big Volkswagen Passat fans. The $22,000 1.8-turbo is a terrific car for the money, and the fast, smooth V6-powered models are an excellent step up. Both engine choices are available in a sedan or wagon so the Passat offers something for just about everyone. But now along comes the $38,000 Passat W8 and it befuddles us a little: Is it a really, really expensive VW? Or is it the least expensive German car you can buy with all-wheel drive and an eight-cylinder engine? Is it simply former VW boss Ferdinand Piech's ego run amok?
It is all of the above. Yes, the W8 is the most expensive VW available (as well as the first VW offered with an eight-cylinder engine), until the $65,000 Phaeton luxury car arrives in about a year. For now, the W8 is tops. On the other hand, you really can't touch another eight-cylinder German sedan for less than $50,000. Get one with all-wheel drive and the price jumps another $10,000, so in that sense the W8 is a bargain.
VW's U.S. officials say the W8 is aimed at people already in the VW family looking to move up, without having them jump to BMW, Mercedes or even VW's stablemate, Audi. VW also says it has had no trouble selling the 200 (per month) W8s delivered to dealers thus far since it went on sale in April.
VW's 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower W8 engine powers the car, producing 273 lb-ft of torque. All W8s have VW's five-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual will be available in December), 4Motion all-wheel drive and electronic stability control.
We've spent some time in several W8s, a European-spec W8 in Switzerland about a year ago as well as U.S.-spec sedans and wagons in California and here in Detroit.
The European version was ...
- Haldex secures order worth SEK 4.5 billion for All-Wheel Drive system to VW.
- Press release article from: Business Wire April 16, 2009 700+ words
...It is a success for Haldex that VW has named Haldex as its choice...term partner in connection with VW's plans to expand its four-wheel drive offering", says Joakim Olsson...CEO of Haldex. "The order from VW must be viewed in the light of...
- Big plans for 'New Small Family'; Production of VW's lineup of rear-wheel drive...
- Magazine article from: Automotive News Europe October 15, 2007 700+ words
...Automobilwoche. Production of the rear-wheel-drive, entry-level models, viewed within VW as the company's most important project...cars destined for European markets, VW sources say. Skoda is part of VW group. The company estimates that 100...
- BorgWarner All-Wheel-Drive System Enhances Performance and Fuel Economy on the...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire July 1, 2008 700+ words
...and Dodge Charger all-wheel-drive models employ the latest...of the expanding all-wheel-drive market. In addition...performance by optimizing all-wheel-drive system hardware and software...countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota...
- BorgWarner Brings Active All-Wheel Drive to China with Interactive Torque...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 10, 2006 700+ words
...based platform to all-wheel drive within milliseconds...economy over other all-wheel drive systems. In addition...management devices for all-wheel drive passenger cars, crossover...DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, VW/Audi, Toyota, Hyundai...
- GM, DaimlerChrysler move toward rwd.(General Motors Corp.)(rear wheel drive)
- Magazine article from: Automotive News February 23, 2004 700+ words
...trend toward front-wheel-drive cars, and fwd specialists...say their rear-wheel-drive architectures provide...better performance. VW may use rwd for a...Benz E class. VW may use Maserati...to rwd. "Rear-wheel drive is a way to differentiate...
- Rear-wheel drive makes a comeback; GM, Chrysler cite advantages, but no broad...
- Magazine article from: Automotive News Europe March 8, 2004 700+ words
...Proponents of rear-wheel drive such as BMW, General...disadvantages of rear-wheel drive have been overcome...Passat and the Phaeton. VW says it would have to...development. "With rear-wheel drive, we have an almost ideal...
- BorgWarner All-Wheel Drive Transfer Case System to Power New Audi Q7.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire August 25, 2005 700+ words
...pleased to add its all-wheel drive transfer case technology to Audi's premium all-wheel drive product offerings...management devices for all-wheel drive passenger car, crossover...DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, VW/Audi, Toyota, Hyundai...
- Volkswagen of America Inc. introduces new four-wheel drive Vanagon and Quantum...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire March 18, 1986 700+ words
...1/2 four-wheel-drive Vanagon and Quantum...president in charge of VW/U.S., said...synonymous with VW's advanced four-wheel-drive systems. "The...America with four-wheel-drive. Both the Quantum...now available at VW dealerships nationwide...
Source: HighBeam Research, Flagship-for now; Until the Phaeton arrives, the W8 is VW's big...