The W8 designation refers to the sedan's creative eight-cylinder engine design, a powerplant that evolved directly from what VW engineers learned from the highly regarded VR6 engine. Essentially, the W8 engine is two V4s fused together, with the shape of the powerplant resembling a 'W' layout, thus the name.
 |
| The 270-hp 4.0-L W8 engine is essentially two V4s fused together, and provides exceptional performance. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Whatever you call it, though, make sure you do it fast, as the smooth and refined 4.0-litre engine pumps out 270 horsepower, and when combined with Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive 4Motion system, the performance is nothing short of exceptional. Fast, precise and a dream in the corners.
 |
| The automatic transmission can be a little sluggish, but in Tiptronic mode the potenial of the W8 is released. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
My tester was the top-of-the line W8 model, though all that's really saying is the standard W8 with the sport package, which includes alloy wheels, all-season tires and sport suspension (the package adds just $2,000 to the $53,400 standard model price). The upgraded suspension gives the W8 a more solid, tight feel than other Passats, and the standard automatic transmission with Tiptronic shifting is up to the task of getting the horsepower to all four wheels.
The automatic transmission seemed a little slow on the shift at times, but in Tiptronic mode the true potential of the W8's performance attributes are realized. The engine note from the quad pipes out the back at high rpms is unlike any Vee-Dub I've heard before. And the four-wheel disc brakes stop forward momentum in a hurry.