Passat B5 (1996–2000)

The Passat B5 was officially launched on October 11, 1996. It offers particularly good rear passenger space. Unlike its predecessors, the B4 and the VW Passat B3 35i (from 1988 onwards), the B5's engine is longitudinally mounted.[2] The powertrain is the same as that of the Audi A4, which was launched at the end of 1994. Both used the PL45 platform. With the B5, Volkswagen aimed to set new quality standards for future VW vehicles: The body is fully galvanized, and VW offered an eleven-year warranty against rust perforation. The B5 received praise for its ride comfort; this was due in part to the torsionally rigid body, the four-link front suspension from the Audi A4, and a newly designed rear torsion beam axle.