2002 Volkswagen Passat

Sedan

W8 - 270-bhp 8-cylinder engine

5-speed Tiptronic automatic

WVWUK63B32P354469

Clear

Gasoline

Here's ROAD TRACK's Review of this rare, 8-cylinder model: VW says the W8 is in a class of its own. After all, it is the only German sedan priced under $40,000 that has an 8-cylinder engine. Add to that the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, and figure that with 270 bhp on tap, the VW boasts more power than the , , Jaguar X-Type. Here at Road &Track, we, too, tried to understand exactly where the W8 fits into the spectrum. In the end we stopped discussing and started driving, and this is what we found: Outwardly, the is largely unchanged from the standard model. One reason is cost — VW plans to sell only 5000 W8s (including the soon-to-be-released wagon) per year in the U.S., so this won't be a high-volume car. But its minimal-looks factor gives it sleeper status. The easiest-to-spot W8 clue is the 4-outlet chrome-tipped exhaust system. The four pipes give the car a more serious look (and a menacing bark when you put your foot into it), hinting at its ability to blow by an unsuspecting midsize sedan. Other cues are the W8 badges on the grille and trunklid. Keen-eyed folks will notice that the headlights are changed as well, now high-intensity gas discharge lamps, with power washers that look like robotic arms as they pop out to clean the lights. The longitudinally mounted engine alone might be worth the price of admission — it's a real gem. It's called a W-8 because it is basically two narrow 15-degree V-4s spliced together at a 72-degree angle to form a W shape. Why a W-8 as opposed to a V-8? Because the Passat was never designed to carry a V-8, and the W-8 — due to its unique arrangement of cylinders — is significantly shorter, which makes it a much better fit. Splicing two 4-cylinders together would mean massive vibration, so the quad-cam 4.0-liter W-8 uses two counterrotating balance shafts to keep things smooth. The all-aluminum powerplant also has variable intake and exhaust timing to optimize low-rpm torque and top-end horsepower. It churns out its 270 bhp at 6000 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 2750 rpm, providing smooth, linear power throughout the rev range. n acceleration, the W8 feels like a junior Audi S8, with substantial power at all times. The W-8 configuration also sounds like no other engine, sort of a cross between a V-8 and a V-6. It isn't as burbly as an American V-8, and it is higher-pitched than Audi's sonorous 4.2-liter V-8. But, as one editor put it, it has an extremely pleasing throaty growl that sounds better and better as the revs climb. And despite the portly 4105-lb. test weight, the W8 still managed to run to 60 mph in only 6.8 seconds — putting it right in the thick of the midsize sports-sedan battlefield. Initially a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic will be the sole transmission, but in September (for the 2003 model year), a 6-speed manual will arrive. The auto box provides silky-smooth shifts and the Tiptronic's manual shifting mode works great for attacking the twisty bits. This especially helps for powering out of corners, because if left in the normal Drive position, the transmission is slow to shift down. Specs from Edmonds.com: Specifications LENGTH 15ft 5.2in WIDTH 5ft 8.7in HEIGHT 4ft 9.5in GROUND CLEARANCE 0ft 4.9in TURNING CIRCLE 37.7 ft. Exterior Measurements WIDTH5 ft. 8.7 in. (68.7 in.)HEIGHT4 ft. 9.5 in. (57.5 in.) LENGTH15 ft. 5.2 in. (185.2 in.)GROUND CLEARANCE0 ft. 4.9 in. (4.9 in.) FRONT TRACK4 ft. 11.5 in. (59.5 in.)REAR TRACK4 ft. 11.4 in. (59.4 in.) WHEEL BASE8 ft. 10.4 in. (106.4 in.) Interior Measurements FRONT HEAD ROOM 39.7 in.FRONT LEG ROOM 41.5 in. FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 55.8 in.REAR HEAD ROOM 37.8 in. REAR LEG ROOM 35.3 in.REAR SHOULDER ROOM 54.6 in. Fuel ENGINE TYPE GasFUEL TYPE Premium unleaded (Octane level octane 91 or above) FUEL TANK CAPACITY 16.4 gal. Weights and Capacities EPA INTERIOR VOLUME 92 cu.ft.DRAG COEFFICIENT .27 Cd CURB WEIGHT 3907 lbs.CARGO CAPACITY, ALL SEATS IN PLACE 10 cu.ft. MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY 10 cu.ft. DriveTrain DRIVE TYPE All wheel driveTRANSMISSION 5-speed shiftable automatic Engine and Performance BASE ENGINE SIZE 4.0 LCAM TYPE Double overhead cam (DOHC) CYLINDERS W8VALVES 32 TORQUE 273 ft-lbs. @ 2750 rpm HORSEPOWER 270 hp @ 6000 rpm Suspension Multi-link front suspension Double wishbone rear suspension Four-wheel independent suspension There is some rubbed off paint on the right rear bumper and some small door dings and minor scratches (please see photos) but the car is very good condition with all new brakes, front and back (Last week!). The ball joints and the timing belt were replaced last year. It has been well serviced, only used synthetic oil, which was just changed when the brakes were replaced last week. It was my fun car, only used on weekends after buying if from my father-in-law, who only used it part-time as he used his pick-up truck mostly. I love the car, but I'm selling it because I am now a single father and need to get a car that seats six such as an SUV. Others of the same make/model/year with similar mileage were advertised on AutoTrader at $7,795 and $7,777. On Nov-24-15 at 09:58:02 PST, seller added the following information: I forgot to mention that there are some scrapes on the wheels.On Nov-24-15 at 10:04:16 PST, seller added the following information: The front seats are heated! Nice on cold days.Althought the existing floor mats are okay, there is a set of brand-new floorm mats, still in the trunk.On Nov-24-15 at 10:06:23 PST, seller added the following information: Sorry about the typos (although and floor) in the last comment.