From "syncro" to "4MOTION": 35 years of all-wheel drive in the Passat The Passat Variant Tetra all-wheel drive concept car presented in 1983 was launched a year later as the Passat Variant syncro Today, the Alltrack with an electronically controlled multiplate clutch is the top-level all-wheel drive Passat In 2018 4MOTION is available for the Golf, Sharan, Passat, Arteon, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg
Wolfsburg 35 years ago presented the first Passat with all-wheel drive. Ever since then models with four driven wheels have been one of the cornerstones of the successful mid-size series. During this time revolutionised all-wheel drive technology. "syncro" became "4MOTION". Today, the Passat s all-wheel drive is linked with state-of-theart assistance systems and offers more safety and performance than ever before. This is why the all-wheel drive Passat versions are not just popular among winter sports fans. The charismatic Passat Alltrack is the top level version in the series. Passat Alltrack and Passat Variant syncro Passat Alltrack Passat Variant syncro MediaInformation Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
1983 It all starts with the Passat Variant Tetra concept car As early as 1983 the concept car called Passat Variant Tetra caused a stir and a year later it was launched under the name Passat Variant syncro. The second Passat generation (B2) was the first passenger car in the range to feature all-wheel drive and it was here to stay. Even the first model made a clear statement. It boasted head-turning sporty GT equipment, a sonorous 2.0-litre five-cylinder engine and cutting-edge technology with traction and safety advantages. The longitudinally installed engine transmitted its 85 kw / 115 PS via a central differential lock in a ratio of 50:50 to the four permanently driven wheels. The centre and rear axle differential could each be manually locked to optimise traction in particularly difficult grip conditions. The new 4x4 model was very popular right from the start especially among drivers who wanted to drive safely in wintry conditions or who needed a practical towing vehicle for a horse box or boat trailer. Further engine versions with 66 kw / 90 PS and 88 kw / 120 PS were soon added to the range. Passat Variant syncro Passat Variant syncro Passat Variant syncro Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
1988 Viscous coupling replaces the rigid rear axle connection With the debut of the third Passat Generation (B3), in 1988 the syncro drive in this series also took the next step: the switch to transversally installed engines enabled the use of viscous coupling, as already used in the Golf Mk2. Here, the centre differential was replaced by a cylinder filled with silicone oil. It controlled the power transmission to the rear wheels without a rigid connection between the propshaft and the gearbox in the event of speed differences the high-viscosity i.e. thick fluid transmitted the power. The advantage of this was that the system was ABS-compatible and offered better fuel efficiency as the rear axle was only engaged if needed. The modern 4x4 drive was available as an option for the 85 kw / 115 PS Passat, and it was even a standard feature for the sporty Passat GT G60 with a mechanical G-Lader supercharger and 118 kw / 160 PS. Passat Variant B3 Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
Passat Variant (B5) 4MOTION 1996 4MOTION with Torsen differential takes over Passat Variant (B5) 4MOTION Since the introduction of the fifth Passat generation (B5) in 1996 the versions with all-wheel drive have sported the additional designation 4MOTION. The engine was once again fitted longitudinally, but now a centre Torsen differential distributed the power between the front and the rear axle. This was normally done in a ratio of 50:50, but 75:25 could also be achieved in favour of the side rotating more slowly. The rear axle locking differential served solely to aid traction: it could be manually activated with a switch and was automatically deactivated at speeds above 25 km/h. The 4MOTION system was a standard feature for the 142 kw / 193 PS Passat 2.8 V6 and the Passat W8 with a 202 kw / 275 PS eight-cylinder engine that is already sought after as a young classic car. It was optionally available for some diesel variants. Passat Variant (B5) 4MOTION Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
2005 Fully variable multiplate clutch replaces Torsen 4MOTION drive reached the next development stage in the Passat B6 generation: ever since then it has featured a wet-running multiplate clutch in conjunction with transverse engines. It works in a similar way to viscous coupling, but thanks to electronic control it has an extremely fast response and can also transmit higher torque. Normally 100 per cent of the engine power is transmitted to the front wheels. But if needed up to 100 per cent of the drive power is directed to the rear wheels in a split second. The focus is on maximum driving safety coupled with minimum fuel consumption. Passat Variant (B6) 4MOTION Passat Variant (B6) 4MOTION Passat Variant (B6) 4MOTION Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
2018 Electronically controlled 4MOTION system as state of the art The current Passat features permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive with an electronically controlled multiplate clutch in the fifth generation. Its special feature is that the distribution of traction to all four wheels is already active before slip occurs. This almost entirely eliminates any loss of traction. The all-wheel drive system normally directs the drive torque to the front axle. If necessary, the rear wheels are engaged in a fraction of a second. While the multiplate clutch acts as a longitudinal lock, the electronic differential locks (four-wheel EDS) act as transverse locks for all four wheels. If a wheel starts to spin, they ensure that drive power is directed to the wheel on the opposite side, also within fractions of a second. Passat Alltrack The Passat Alltrack with a rugged off-road look has a 4MOTION system offering even higher performance with the additional XDS+ function on the front and rear axle. During fast cornering it brakes the wheels on the inside of the bend and optimises the steering behaviour with a more precise steering angle, further improves traction, increases agility and enables a higher speed when accelerating out of bends. In technical terms, XDS+ is a functional extension of the electronic differential locks. Passat Alltrack Passat Alltrack Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
The new Tiguan Allspace The new T-Roc 4x4 The all-wheel drive success story continues Model variants with all-wheel drive have long since been available for most product lines. In addition to the Passat, Passat Variant and Passat Alltrack, 4MOTION all-wheel drive can be found on board the Golf, Golf Variant, Golf Alltrack, Sharan, Arteon and the SUV series T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg (the latter with a different technical configuration). Even though 4MOTION improves safety and performance in all weather conditions, in these months a particularly large number of 4MOTION models can be found where the winter can best be enjoyed: in ski resorts around the globe. Arteon, Passat Alltrack, Tiguan, Golf Alltrack (from left to right) Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.
Product Communications P.O. Box 1971 38436 Wolfsburg Germany Tiguan 2.0 l TSI 4MOTION (162 kw / 220 PS) fuel consumption in l/100km: urban 9.6 / extra-urban 6.7 / combined 7.7; CO2 emissions in g/km: 177 (combined); efficiency class: D Passat Alltrack 2.0 l TSI 4MOTION (162 kw / 220 PS) fuel consumption in l/100km: urban 8.5 / extra-urban 6.1-6.0 / combined 6.9; CO2 emissions in g/km: 162 160 (combined); efficiency class: C Golf Alltrack 1.8 l TSI 4MOTION (132 kw / 180 PS) fuel consumption in l/100 km: urban 8.2 / extra-urban 5.8 / combined 6.7; CO2 emissions in g/km: 156 (combined); efficiency class: C Arteon 2.0 l TSI 4MOTION (206 kw / 280 PS) fuel consumption in l/100 km: urban 9.2 / extra-urban 6.1 / combined 7.3; CO2 emissions in g/km: 164 (combined); efficiency class: C Note: You will find much more information on winter themes in the database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com.