Volkswagen Passat (Germany, 1993-1996)

Volkswagen presents a new Passat in mid-summer 1993 after producing over 1.6 million units of the third generation. Exactly 20 years after its introduction, 6.2 million units have already been produced by this time.

In Autumn 1993, first units of the fourth generation Passat are delivered. The visual highlight: now the front end is no longer nearly closed, rather it has a classic radiator grille design. In just three years, nearly 700,000 units are sold of the Passat and Passat Estate. Passive and active safety are optimised by standard driver and front passenger airbags, belt tensioners and an antilock braking system (ABS).

A technical innovation in 1993 is an engine with the acronym TDI. The turbodiesel direct injection engine outputs 66 kW / 90 PS and enables speeds of up to 178 km/h; its combined fuel consumption is just 5.3 litres per 100 km (Estate: 5.4 litres). In February 1996, the TDI programme is extended with a 1.9-litre four-cylinder that outputs...