The Volkswagen Passat was born 40 years ago, but remains one of transport chosen by families around the world. A total of 20 million units of this model have been sold worldwide. His secret: knowing adapt to the changing automotive market.

The creation of the Italian Giorgio Giugiaro He had its beginnings back in 1973. Thus, in 2013 the Volkswagen Passat celebrates its 40th anniversary with total sales of 20 million units their family model worldwide success.

So that once emerged as a finding clients who needed cars of sufficient size to transport a family, today remains a reality. logically, mechanical and design have little to do if we compare the first generation of the Passat with the seventh, or even with the imminent arrival of the eighth to mid-2014, but maintain a model for 40 years it is something that can not afford any.

First generation (1973-1980)

The first generation Volkswagen Passat It emerged in 1973 left the factory of the German firm in seeking fill the gap left by the models 1600 and 411. At first it was offering three gasoline engines between 1.3 and 1.6 liters and up 110 hp, but shortly after his birth he began to also mount the drive 1.5-liter diesel and 50 CV power, such as incorporating the small Golf. In these times it seems anecdotal, but revolutionized the automotive industry thanks to down consumption of 7.5 l / 100 km. Its offering with body of three or five-door and wagon ‘Variant’ -five doors- up to five occupants marked the beginning of a success that continues today.

Second generation (1980-1988)

The second generation the Passat was finally away from the base of the Audi 80, although the supply of previous bodies remained. The AWD based in the Audi quattro system also he arrived at a Passat variant known as ‘Syncro’. During this second stage, the model sold with gasoline engines between 1.3 and 2.2 liters, while the impeller was a diesel offered 1.6 between 54 and 80 CV, the latter turbocharged, intercooled.

Third generation (1988-1993)

The third ‘delivery’ the Volkswagen Passat was characterized by loss of several bodies available in the two previous generations. And you could only buy this model four-door or five-door. Under its hood began to mount engines transversely among them, the so-called VR6-, incorporating mechanics between 68 and 80 CV for those using Diesel and up 211 hp in the case of gasoline version Passat G60.

Fourth generation (1993-1996)

This stage marked a Volkswagen Passat even greater generalization of direct injection in the Diesel engines which ranged from 1.6 to the 1.9 liters displacement and powers between 80 and 90 CV. Consumption down to an incredible 5.3 l / 100 km. In the range of petrol engines, the most powerful VR6 engine was the 2.9 liter displacement and 184 hp, while the less powerful was a 1.6 72 hp. Elements of active and passive safety Like the airbags front and revolutionary ‘ABS’ -Avoid the wheels from locking during frenadas- joining start serial on the German model.

Fifth Generation (1996-2005)

For nineteen ninety six, The Passat has grown significantly. And not just in terms of body dimensions, but its most powerful mechanics came up W8 gasoline engine 4 liter developing 275 hp. The model took as source base that of Audi A6 and thereby he returned to the longitudinal engines. The propellant less power in the range of gasoline was a 1.6 liters 100 hp power. For paragraph Diesel, engines were offered between 1.9 and 2.5 liters ranging from 90 to 180 hp.

Sixth generation (2005-2010)

In its sixth generation, Volkswagen Passat returned to the motors transversely, sharing their engine range, among other elements, with Golf. He automatic dual clutch DSG It comes as a new option for this model and all-wheel drive ‘4Motion’ today persists in many models of the German mark.

The engines gasoline They were offered from 1.6 and 3.6 liters, with power from 102 and 300 hp. As for the Diesel, we could find thrusters between 1.9 and 2 liters, far lower than those of petrol engines -of powers between 105 and 170 hp-.

It is time Birth Version CC (Comfort Coupé) with an aesthetic with four-door body somewhat removed from the Passat. Eventually lose the name of this model and until now it is known only as it Volkswagen CC.

Seventh generation (2010-present)

The latest Passat which has reached the market it belongs to the seventh generation. his design It has been modified so much on the front and rear (More square lines), following the style Scirocco III and VI Golf and giving way to others who have respected the same canons, as the Touran, Eos, Tiguan or Touareg.

Mechanical engines offer gasoline and Diesel from among 1.4 and 2 liters, with powers ranging from 122 211 hp. Yes, Reduced consumption to 4.2 l / 100 km announced for engine 1.6 TDI 140 hp.

In entertainment technology Y systems driving aids has also gained in recent years this model in the sense of quality, the elegance, the practicality and the security They have been gaining ground. For mid-2014 Volkswagen plans to launch what will be and eighth generation your Passat. Everything points to be presented with more sober aesthetic aires in the current generation. We keep reporting …