An entirely original example of the amazing Passat W8, one of just 250 ever reaching the UK
A low mileage and low ownership car with a luxurious, full leather interior
Complete with a fastidious background of “no expense spared” maintenance
The Appeal
The Passat W8 is surely one of the rarest Volkswagens to reach production. With only around 5,000 sold worldwide and only 250 reaching the UK, this was a rare car back in 2002 let alone 20 years later.
The car was a product of the Ferdinand Piech era at Volkswagen which gave rise to some remarkable, brave and innovative cars. His idea behind the Passat W8 was to help pave the way for more expensive and advanced Volkswagens such as the Phaeton and the Touareg.
The concept was a simple one. Deploying the innovative W8, eight-cylinder engine in the nose of the accomplished and popular B5 Passat. A conservative family saloon with a 275 bhp eight-cylinder engine, 5 speed Tiptronic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive, after all, is a petrol-head’s dream. A true factory prepared Q car for the discerning enthusiast.
The sumptuous leather interior of the W8 appears to be in pristine, original condition
The interior is dressed in black leather and has a ambiance more common in an Audi than a VW
The seats are deeply sculpted and luxuriously box pleated
The front seats are heated
The rear bench seat is equally luxuriously trimmed and in the same pristine condition
Carpets, headlining, and door cards are all in an equally fine fettle
As part of the W8 specification there are areas of wood veneer around the cabin
This features on the centre console, dash, and door cars for an additional upmarket feel
The car features VW’s Climatronic climate control with LCD readout
The car is fitted with the factory, Gamma stereo head unit with 6 CD changer
The boot is well trimmed in carpet and houses a space saver spare wheel and tool set
The B5 Passat was always a roomy family saloon and well fitted and finished for its class. The W8 specification takes that to a new level with its full leather interior and numerous upmarket refinements. Much more reminiscent of a range topping Audi than a Passat, it is very easy to forget you are in a Volkswagen when ensconced in the cabin of the W8.
The Passat W8 presents very well in this rare Petrol Pearl Effect colourway
The paintwork and bodywork are both in very good condition throughout
A couple of small impact dents were noted on the bonnet edge and roof
The light lenses are clear and undamaged
All cabin glass appears original and in fine condition throughout
The 17-inch, Phoenix, six spoke alloy wheels are the original W8 fitment
The wheels are in good overall condition but may benefit further from refurbishment
The wheels are fitted with quality Pirelli tyres in a 225/45 configuration
The W8 is fitted with quad, chromed exhaust tailpipes
The exterior upgrades to the standard B5 in this W8 iteration are very subtle. It is really only the W8 badges and the giveaway, quad tailpipes that set it apart from its humbler brethren. This low-profile identity is surely part of the W8’s charm. It doesn’t need to shout about its remarkable credentials. If you know…….you know!
The W8 looks great in its Petrol Pearl Effect paintwork and the panel gaps and “thunk” of the closing doors are all indicative of the engineering values employed during the production of this rare Volkswagen.
The W8, eight-cylinder engine is a key facet of this car’s appeal
An innovative design, it is basically two VR4, four-cylinder engines used in unison
The overlap of the two banks makes the engine smaller than an equivalent V8
This is the key to being able to fit the engine to a B5 Passat
The engine is 4L in capacity and originally rated at 275 bhp
In order to deploy this power in all conditions a torsen style four-wheel drive system is fitted
Power is fed to all wheels via a five speed, automatic “Tiptronic” transmission
At launch, this configuration was good for a 7 second 0-60 time and a limited 155 mph
As you will see the car has been very well maintained throughout its life
This combined with its low, original mileage makes for a mechanically sound proposition
The current owner attests to the mechanical condition being in fine fettle throughout
The fun fact associated with this remarkable and innovative W8 engine is that the Bugatti Veyron’s W16 is basically two W8 engines grafted together. Not many Passat owners can claim that their car features half a Veyron engine and that is one of many remarkable facets of the W8’s mechanical specification.
Not many production Volkswagen’s are rare from birth but this Passat W8 is genuinely one. With only 250 examples coming to the UK, less than the number of VW dealers, this was always going to be a sought-after and collectable super-saloon.
This rare charm is only underscored by the amazing technical specification of the W8. An eight-cylinder, four litre engine mated to all wheel drive and a compliant yet capable set up and you have one of the best mile-munching German Q cars ever produced. Don’t miss your chance to own this pristine and well sorted example.
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